Severe weather Rösti speaks out against the resettlement of Alpine valleys

Environment Minister Albert Rösti has rejected calls for people to be relocated from Alpine valleys due to storms. This would mean people losing their familiar surroundings without knowing when and where the next disaster will happen, he said in an interview.

In a densely populated country like Switzerland, protective measures are a better solution "than forcing everyone into the cities or conurbations", said the SVP Federal Councillor in an interview with "NZZ am Sonntag" that was initially published online on Sunday. It could not be Switzerland's strategy to abandon entire valleys or villages.

More heat-related deaths are also to be expected in the future. Cities will have to adapt to this. "Nevertheless, we are not saying: you have to leave the city now," he said. He cited the Matte district in the city of Bern as another example. It had already been flooded several times without anyone being sent away. In future, there will be more zones in which less can be built. There will also be further construction measures where there is a risk of flooding, said the Environment Minister.

Taking dangers seriously

"We live with various dangers that we have to take seriously and take preventative measures," said the head of the Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications (DETEC). "Nature cannot be controlled at will," said Rösti. According to this logic, the Bernese Oberland would have to build a wall behind Spiez because of the danger behind it.

Rösti grew up on an alp where rocks regularly fell. It's like driving a car, something can happen there too. "That's why you put your seatbelt on and are grateful for the airbag," he said.

Alpine valleys are constantly changing

After the devastating storms in recent weeks, the discussion arose as to whether Alpine valleys should be resettled. In individual cases, resettlement could occur, said the president of the mountain cantons, Carmelia Maissen, in an interview with the "NZZ am Sonntag" newspaper a week ago.

"We will certainly not give up entire valleys," said the Graubünden cantonal councillor (center). Maissen. also criticized the intervention for the affected population. She emphasized that the settlement of Alpine valleys has always been subject to change. This will also be the case in the future.

https://www.nzz.ch/schweiz/svp-bundesrat-albert-roesti-sagt-die-staedte-muessen-mehr-fuer-die-biodiversitaet-tun-ld.1839261

SDA