Overijse (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – The Overijse in Flemish Brabant stag beetle population concerns Natuurpunt Druivenstreek. The new sports facility might be built within 2 out of 3 potential locations in the beetles’ habitat. The existence of insects faces possible annihilation because of this situation, based on Natuurpunt research.
Natuurpunt Druivenstreek warns about the adverse effects that Overijse’s new sports facility may have on stag beetles living in those areas. The natural habitat of two potential construction sites causes concern for Natuurpunt since the protected species face destruction there. The municipality welcomes community responses consisting of objections before confirming the site selection.
Natuurpunt supports a third alternative, which is to build the sports hall at the Van Lancker site, thereby saving the forest habitat from disturbance. The mayor of Overijse Inge Lenseclaes states clearly that no choice regarding the location has been determined yet while urging stakeholders to file issues to protect the beetle’s living space.
The stag beetle is a cherished species of the municipality. That is why the municipal government has already taken many measures to support the iconic beetle. Destroying part of the habitat now would be absurd and completely contrary to the guidelines that they themselves have set,
says chairman Sam Bennekens.
The municipality of Overijse states that nothing has been decided yet.
At the moment we are in the 1st phase of the plans for the new sports hall. This means that we have announced the possible locations and that our citizens can respond. They can make comments or give suggestions. In addition, we also ask for advice from certain authorities such as Natuur en Bos and Natuurpunt to make sure that we do not overlook anything.”
That option, namely a sports hall with underground parking on the Van Lancker site, is the right choice. It does not affect the forest environment. If this is not possible, other alternatives must be sought,
concludes the chairman.
Mayor Lenseclaes also urges Natuurpunt to submit all objections so that they can definitely make the right choice.
It is important that they pass on their wishes, demands and concerns so that we can take them into account. We are going to wait for that now, and then we will look at it together. To be clear, we also want to protect the habitat of the stag beetle. We cherish this special species and therefore treat it with care.
Why is the Stag Beetle’s habitat in overijse under threat?
European authorities protect the stag beetle (Lucanus cervus) as a species because it requires decaying wood and forested environments, which makes Overijse’s green zones vital to its habitat. The population of stag beetles in Flanders decreased by 30% in recent decades because urban development removed crucial natural habitats. The town of Overijse upholds its reputation for biodiversity through established strategies that conserve natural areas and protect dead wood, which benefits the stag beetle species.
The proposed sports hall construction plans along Terhulpensesteenweg and Mariëndal present a problem because Natuurpunt observes stag beetle populations in these sectors. The Institute for Nature and Forest Research (INBO) reported Overijse as maintaining one of the stable rural stag beetle populations in the region, and evidence shows that fifty beetles have been spotted during the last five years.
The municipality clearly understands why stag beetles merit protection, but development and conservation management continue to prove difficult to balance accordingly.
