Illegal Logging and Dumping Uncovered in Castle Park Near Třeboň

An illegal tree-felling operation and an unauthorized waste dump have been discovered in the castle park at Chlum u Třeboně in southern Bohemia. The site lies within the protected Třeboňsko landscape area and is also a listed cultural monument, despite being privately owned. According to the environmental inspectorate, the owner could face a fine of up to 2 million korunas.

Ladislav Rektoris, head of the department managing the Třeboňsko protected area, said the illegally cleared area covered more than 40 square metres. "The felling was quite extensive — we documented, among other things, the cutting down of an alder tree that definitely required official approval," he noted.

The local town hall confirmed it had issued no permits for the logging — officials only learned about it after residents reported it. The land is owned by a company belonging to Danil Bakaev, who has declined to comment on the situation. Part of the site houses the "Giants' World" amusement park, while the rest of the area is now closed to visitors, making the inspectors' work more difficult.

Rubbish right by the stream

A separate issue is an illegal dump found by inspectors within the protected area, right on the bank of a stream. "You can see leftover construction waste here — bricks, aluminium, iron — all of it dumped into a watercourse, which by law is a significant natural feature, and all done without any authorisation," said a representative of the protected-area administration.

Another part of the park is now being inspected jointly with the environmental authority. One local resident, Iveta Falberová, filmed a truck loaded with waste heading into the second section of the park. "Ten minutes later the truck came back out, already empty," she said. Surveillance footage from the protected area shows the truck's contents being dumped into a pre-dug pit — a fact also confirmed by drone footage.

A few days later, a Czech television crew documented a strange scene at the very same spot: the dumped waste had vanished, replaced by a fresh layer of soil. "The waste that had originally been brought in suddenly disappeared from the site, and new soil was brought in instead," Rektoris commented.

Owner not responding to inquiries

Representatives of the "Giants' World" park declined to comment on the footage. Later, castle representative Pavel Žufan replied to Czech Television with a brief text message: "Waste generated in connection with the operation of the complex is disposed of in accordance with its nature and applicable regulations."

Jitka Bednářová, mayor of Chlum u Třeboně, said the municipality had formally asked the amusement park's operator how exactly municipal waste was being disposed of, but never received a reply.

Site owner Danil Bakaev previously ran a business in Mariánské Lázně — a hotel he owned eventually went bankrupt with debts in the tens of millions of korunas. Now, in southern Bohemia, he faces a possible new fine of up to 2 million korunas.

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Source: ct24.ceskatelevize.cz