Protest in the Hankel Forest: Citizens defend themselves against clear cuts!

Protest in the Hankel Forest: Citizens defend themselves against clear cuts!

Zeuthen, Deutschland - yesterday, on July 7, 2025, it went high in the Hankel Wald when around 250 people from Schulzendorf, Eichwalde and Zeuthen demonstrated together for the protection of their forest. The citizens' initiative for traffic calming and forest protection Zeuthen originally planned a small campaign with around 40 participants, but the topic has apparently touched many. The reason for the protest? The intended deforestation of a large area in the Hankel Wald to make room for a level crossing.

The demonstrators bound a red and white band that marked the planned road width of over six meters. In the meantime, Matthias Rackwitz, the head of NABU Dahmeland, expressed his concerns about the expertise of Badc GmbH, which had described the Hankel Wald as the "most suitable" location for the crossing of the train. Rackwitz fights against what he sees as a "complacence report" that completely hides nature and climate protection.

The background of the rail crossing

The discussion about the crossing of the railway has reached a new climax, especially after the results of a study to determine locations for level -free rail crossings were published on March 27, 2025. This investigation, which was funded by the Dahme-Spreewald district with around 50,000 euros, coordinated the Airport Berlin Brandenburg dialog forum and emphasizes the relevance of the cooperation. District Administrator Sven Herzberger has clearly spoken out for the study, which favors the establishment of a level crossing on Hankelweg.

The study showed that both a bridge and a tunnel for traffic technology can be implemented. The tunnel offers specific advantages for cycling. This infrastructure measure could replace the currently stressful level crossing on the forest path and relieve the traffic in Zeuthen. According to Herzberger, the district will actively support the municipalities in implementing these plans.

A dialog is required

Although Mayor Philipp Martens has already reacted to the concerns of the residents and emphasizes the historical importance of the solution to the traffic problem, the protest movement remains strong. Residents such as Uwe Bruns, a former municipal council and chairman of the Teuthen tree and nature conservation advisory board, describe the plans as the greatest environmental crime of the past 36 years in Miersdorf and calls for a responsibility with nature.

Andreas Haselow from Zeesen also criticizes the deforestation, especially for an inner -city bypass. The frontal views of the demonstrators underline the need for a constructive dialogue to find a consensus that brings both traffic and nature conservation into harmony. Ultimately, the final decision is in the hands of the municipal council, whereby a citizens' decision may also be carried out.

The current developments and the lively participation in the demonstration clearly show: the protection of the Hankel Wald and the associated questions about crossing the railway are very popular in the region. It remains exciting how the situation will develop and whether a fair compromise between traffic needs and nature conservation can be found.