The Peissant nature reserve in the Estinnes of the Hainaut province is a miniature paradise for animals, covering an area of 2.5 hectares and being monitored by Natagora. However, the reserve was recently damaged by a farmer who dug seven ditches through the reeds and created an intricate system of canals leading to a basin connected to the Estinnes stream, resulting in the destruction of the reeds.
A conciliation meeting was held with the farmer, Natagora, the DNF and the municipal authorities on Tuesday. Robert Baise, curator of the nature reserve, stated that the farmer has until Friday to rectify the damage caused. The farmer has agreed to plug the drains and put the terminals and fence back, which were removed during the unauthorized work carried out by him, to separate his meadow from the nature reserve that he intends to cultivate.
It’s a little piece of paradise for animals. The Peissant nature reserve, in the entity of Estinnes in the province of Hainaut. The 2.5 hectare reed bed is managed by Natagora. Recently it was damaged by a farmer. A total of seven ditches were dug through the reeds. A small labyrinth of canals leading to a basin, also dug using the construction machine. This basin is connected to the Estinnes stream which runs along the nature reserve. For these works, the reeds were crushed and pulled out.
A conciliation meeting with the farmer, Natagora, the DNF and the municipal authorities was held on Tuesday. The farmer has until Friday for “put everything in order“, says Robert Baise, curator of the nature reserve. “He agrees to put everything forward” adds the curator. “He’s gonna plug the drains. On the other hand, as he had removed the fence, there were no longer limits between his meadow, which he is going to cultivate, and the reserve. There will be searches for him to put back the terminals and then the fence so that everything is delimited“.
While the damage done to the Peissant nature reserve is disheartening, it’s encouraging to see that a conciliation meeting between all parties involved has taken place. The farmer responsible has agreed to make things right and restore the reserve to its natural state. Let’s hope that efforts like this continue to protect the precious habitats of our animal friends.