Protected areas: nature conservation areas

Before the entry into force of the Environmental Code, the County Administrative Board or the municipality could depose nature conservation areas under the Nature Conservation Act. The form of protection was weaker than the nature reserve and was not allowed to hinder ongoing land use, such as forestry. Most nature conservation areas were set up to protect the landscape, especially in coastal areas, or to maintain the management of hay meadows and pastures. Some municipalities have used the form of protection to safeguard popular outdoor areas. Since the entry into force of the Environmental Code, the possibility of creating new conservation areas has ceased. But already established conservation areas remain and are now to be regarded as nature reserves according to the Environmental Code.

在《环境法典（Environmental Code）》生效之前，县行政委员会（County Administrative Board）或自治市（municipality）可依据《自然保护法（Nature Conservation Act）》划定自然保护区域（nature conservation areas）。该保护形式的保护等级低于自然保护区（nature reserve），且不得妨碍正在进行的土地利用活动（如林业作业）。多数自然保护区域的设立初衷为保护景观（尤其沿海区域），或维持干草甸与牧场的管护状态。部分自治市还采用该保护形式，以保障热门户外休闲区域的安全。自《环境法典》生效后，新增自然保护区域的权限便已终止。但已完成设立的保护区域仍予保留，且依据《环境法典》，此类区域现应被认定为自然保护区。