Klapfenhardt Forest Walk holds significant intrigue
In a recent event on Saturday, residents of Pforzheim were treated to a "forest safari" organised by Mayor Peter Boch and Mayoress Sibylle Schuessler. The event, which attracted around 200 people, saw participants embark on a 1.6-kilometer walk through the beautiful Klapfenhardt forest area.
The primary purpose of the forest safari was to provide a better understanding of the area under consideration for potential industrial development. Only 68 hectares of the Klapfenhardt forest area, covering over 300 hectares and largely a near-natural beech forest with differently aged forest stands, are under consideration.
Mayor Schuessler outlined that investigations into the area will be completed by the end of the year, with potential extension into spring 2019. These investigations will cover aspects such as flora, fauna, and the surroundings of the forest. Markus Haller, head of the Environmental Protection Office, provided information during the walk.
The event also included a visit to the "Eternal Hut", a destination within the Klapfenhardt forest. Additionally, a separate investigation for the Ochsenwäldle area, excluding the former landfill site, is being considered to expedite the process. A visit to the Ochsenwäldle forest area is planned for the fall.
The city council will have the sole decision-making power regarding the future Pforzheim industrial area. The results of the investigations will be presented to the city council and made public. It's worth noting that in the past 50 years, the proportion of agricultural land in Pforzheim has decreased from around 30% to the current 15%, with the city's forest area now accounting for around 50%.
Mayor Boch confirmed that he had been in talks with fellow mayors in the Enzkreis regarding the plans for Klapfenhardt. Discussions are also being held with communities and the regional association. However, only the Pforzheim city council will decide on the future Pforzheim industrial area.
Two members of the police's anti-conflict team accompanied the site visit, their presence was purely precautionary. Despite the potential for industrial development, the event served as a reminder of the natural beauty and importance of the Klapfenhardt forest area, and the city's commitment to preserving it.
