BUDAPEST, Nov. 30 (Xinhua) -- In order to protect large flocks of wild geese, there will be no New Year's fireworks at Tata, a scenic town 80 km west of Budapest, local media reported on Friday.
"They have banned the use of fireworks in Tata, for the sake of wild geese, but dogs and cat lovers are also happy," commercial television ATV reported here on Friday.
The local government decided to implement the ban following a petition of MME (Hungarian Bird and Nature Protection Association), for the protection of wild geese, as 40,000 to 50,000 wild geese visit Tata, more precisely its old central lake (Old Lake), according to the report.
Thousands of enthusiastic birdwatchers visited Tata every November to study the multitude of wild geese who migrate at this time to the Old Lake to survive the harsh winter they would find in their habitat in the far north.
The secret of the lake is that it does not freeze unless there is very harsh winter due the hot springs and the Altal stream where its water supply comes from.
Hungary is a paradise for birdwatchers. Apart from this unique place, the Hortobagy National Park in the east of Hungary and several other locations boast with rare opportunities for bird lovers.
According to the decision of the representative body posted on the official website of the city council, the use of fireworks in Tata is prohibited between November 21 and February 28.
According to the observations so far, even a single fireworks could chase away all birds from the lake.
Each November, Tata organizes a Wild Geese Festival. It is not a loud festival with music and merchant's fair, but has its own special flavor, where the many thousands of wild geese provide the entertainment, and the visitors are the audience.
The Wild Geese Festival of Tata" is not only a cavalcade of wild geese, but the gathering of fowlers, birdwatchers and conservationists.
