No separate legal basis for the protection of glaciers in Valais
Published: Friday, Sep 13th 2024, 16:40
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Following the dredging work on the Theodul Glacier near Zermatt VS last year, the Valais cantonal parliament does not want stricter legal regulations. On Friday, it rejected a corresponding proposal from the Green Party.
In a motion, the Greens originally called for the cantonal implementation law for the Federal Spatial Planning Act to be amended. Specifically, glaciers were to be included in the list of protected zones.
At the suggestion of the Liberals, they converted the motion into a postulate. This would have instructed the government to examine the need for legislative action and the impact of the requested changes on tourism, for example. Even in this form, however, the Grand Council rejected the motion by 64 votes to 58.
The petitioners argued unsuccessfully that glaciers were never directly mentioned in cantonal legislation on environmental and landscape protection. In contrast, the federal authorities had instruments at their disposal to protect glaciers.
The Center Party was of the opinion that the issue should be included in the discussion on the cantonal climate law. The SVP was of the opinion that the existing legal regulations were sufficient.
In October last year, piste work on the Theodul Glacier made headlines with regard to the World Cup races on the Matterhorn planned for November 2023. The Valais building commission subsequently came to the conclusion that the groomed slope partially protruded beyond the approved ski area. Although the ski races could still have taken place, they were later canceled due to bad weather.
©Keystone/SDA
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