State forestry director Josef Fuchs showed Federal Minister Norbert Totschnig, Governor Anton Mattle and Tyrol’s Deputy Governor and forestry officer Josef Geisler (from left) the extent of the latest damage to Tyrol’s forests on a map © Land Tirol
“In light of the extensive damage, the state of Tyrol has received an additional €19 million which will be used for remedying the forest damage and for reforestation over the coming years,” Federal Minister Norbert Totschnig said when he met with Governor Anton Mattle and Tyrol’s Deputy Governor and forestry officer Josef Geisler on August 5.
The funds which are available for this year, €23 million so far, are not sufficient. Thanks to the Federal Minister’s commitment, the affected areas will receive around €5 million more in 2024, as tirol.gv.at reports, meaning that a total of €28 million will be available this year. The increased funds will be used in three areas: “rural development”, “land management projects” and the forest fund. These are funded by the European Union, the Austrian federal government and the state of Tyrol.
