Silent New Year’s Eve in Tata

Fireworks Restrictions in Tata from November 1 to February 28!

The wild geese that travel here from thousands of kilometres away, from beyond the Arctic Circle, face numerous disturbances along their migratory routes. However, here, at the internationally protected Tata Old Lake, they encounter a disturbance that they are increasingly unable to tolerate. This is the shock caused by New Year’s Eve fireworks, which for many years have „driven away” wild geese and other waterfowl from the lake thatwould otherwise stay here for the entire winter.

What feels like a few minutes of loud celebration for us humans, is a level of disturbance to the birds that makes them flee up to 100 kilometres. A single New Year’s Eve fireworks can drive all the wild geese resting on the Old Lake away for weeks, and by January, the once magical, lively town full of honking geese is a ghost town of silence…

Tata sought to end this unfortunate situation in 2018, by becoming the first Hungarian city to specifically limit New Year’s Eve fireworks for nature conservation reasons. On the initiative of the organizations that organize the Tata Wild Geese Festival, the town passed a regulation that prohibits the use of fireworks between November 1 and February 28, not only around the Old Lake but also in much of the town’s territory. This was a huge step in ensuring that Tata could remain the „City of Wild Geese.” Each year, a broad civil collaboration, with local government and state involvement, ensures that the regulation is enforced and the protection of the wild geese is upheld. As a result, the vast majority of wild geese and other waterfowl continue to stay at the Old Lake!

The restriction on New Year’s Eve fireworks will only be successful if you contribute to it and also educate those around you.
Please help protect the unique world of the wild geese in Tata and refrain from using New Year’s Eve fireworks!

Help ensure that Tata remains the „City of Wild Geese!”