UNESCO World Heritage of Nature

UNESCO World Heritage - The majestic mountain area of the Eiger, Moench and Jungfrau, the Greater Aletsch Area including the fascinating Aletsch Forest with its ancient Larches and Stone Pines (Arven), the long established, cultivated fields of the Baltschieder Valley and the rocky cliffs around the Biestchhorn all contribute variety and beauty to the most delightful scenery of this area. That is why the committee of the UNESCO World Heritage voted to include the Jungfrau-Aletsch-Bietschhorn area in the UNESCO World Heritage. An innovative idea has been realized and many people have worked with energy and good-will to achieve this. The Jungfrau-Aletsch-Bietschhorn region is not only notable for its exceptional beauty but also for the evidence of the past ice-age – many glaciers and moraines. Weathering, the appearance of “pioneer” plants and the forestation of the areas around the glaciers are a dramatic example of ecological processes. Thanks to the neighbouring areas of Mediterranean rocky slopes, ancient cultivated fields and the high alpine ecological systems we have an extremely wide range of flora and fauna. In the Loetschen Valley, or rather, the surrounding areas of the Lang Glacier this process can be followed and admired from year to year. That’s why, starting at the Fafleralp, in easily reached areas, an impressive “learning path” has been set up to demonstrate the changes in the scenery due to the reduction of the glacier. Already, the area is home to several rare plants, insects and animals. In the future is could provide living room for extinct species such as the bearded vulture. This peaceful co-existence or humans with nature will give new strength to our tourism trade. Looking after Nature will give the people of the region new perspectives, will improve the economy and will ensure that our habitat remains habitable.