Following the conclusion of sheep farming in Doppelstein: Who will manage the environmentally significant pastures within the city in the future?
In the heart of Leipzig, a unique partnership between the city and the Doppelstein sheep farm in Knauthain has come to an end. For 15 years, the city allowed the farm's sheep to graze on more than 200 hectares of its land, aiding in the maintenance of ecologically rich areas.
The collaboration was instrumental in controlling the growth of certain areas, particularly those that can only be preserved in their species-rich state through regular grazing by livestock. The Knauthain sheep, as they came to be known, had been playing this crucial role for the Leipzig Transport and Venue Authority (LTV) for many years.
However, the cooperation ended in the spring due to an involvement with the city's veterinary office. Following the split, the city of Leipzig expressed its desire to continue the grazing of ecological areas, in line with city council decisions.
The new figure negotiating with the city about taking over the work of the Doppelstein sheep operation is Markus Reiche. The LTV, responsible for maintaining the dikes along the first-order waters in Leipzig, will continue to fulfill its duties, and the maintenance and reinforcement of the areas will be secured through a takeover of the operation.
The specific measures on the areas maintained by the LTV are beyond the knowledge of the city administration. The Veterinary and Food Safety Office has now provided information regarding the situation, following an AfD inquiry.
It is worth noting that the LTV was not mentioned in previous bullet points. The city administration confirms that grazing, maintenance, and mowing will continue to take place to sustainably secure the high ecological value of such areas, including the Hutewald project.
As the city of Leipzig moves forward, it remains committed to preserving its ecologically rich areas, ensuring their continued health and biodiversity for future generations.
