Sněžka park rangers issue 23 fines during sunrise inspection

Park rangers from the Krkonoše Mountains National Park (KRNAP), supported by police, conducted inspections on Sněžka to enforce nature protection rules during sunrise gatherings. Approximately 500 tourists, including visitors from both the Czech Republic and Poland, were present on the mountain shortly after 5:00 AM.

Authorities issued 23 on-the-spot fines for various infractions. The most frequent violations involved entering restricted zones within the protected area and starting fires. KRNAP Director Petr Moravec noted that while the summit is a highly fragile and rare natural environment, it faces extreme pressure from high visitor numbers.

To mitigate damage to unique geological features and flora, the park uses protective netting to delineate tourist paths from sensitive areas. Officials emphasized that while they do not aim to discourage sunrise viewing, they will continue night and early morning inspections to preserve the landscape for future generations.