Prawna ochrona dziedzictwa naturalnego w Polsce – wyzwania i perspektywy
Legal protection of natural heritage in Poland – challenges and prospects

Summary/Abstract: The article analyzes the legal status and protection of natural heritage sites inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in Poland. The natural properties on the List include natural elements and cultural landscapes as objects accompanying the monuments. Legal protection of natural and landscape resources is regulated mainly in the provisions on nature protection, the protection of monuments and spatial planning and development acts. However, there is no clear distinction between the protection of natural assets under the UNESCO Convention and provisions concerning the protection of the world cultural and natural heritage in the Polish legal system, which causes many legal problems related to their protection, management and monitoring. A consequence of this situation may be the degradation of these elements, in particular unique natural habitats, where protection under criminal law is unsatisfactory. There are only two natural heritage sites in Poland – the Białowieża Primeval Forest and ancient beech forests in the Bieszczady National Park. Therefore, efforts should be made to extend this List. However, it is necessary to consider strengthening the legal protection of such objects in the Nature Conservation Act by distinguishing this form of heritage or establishing separate legal acts dedicated to these objects. Therefore, only legal protection at the national level will be most effective.

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