ABSTRACT
Any moves in former East Germany are therefore aimed at bringing that area up to existing standards. There are four distinct levels of local government in Germany, namely Counties, Physical Planning Regions, District and Municipalities or Communes. Local government is given a relatively high degree of autonomy by the German Constitution or Basic Law. The Federal Nature Conservation Law of 1976 set the framework for the system of land designations in Germany. The variety of landscapes and habitats within Germany range from the Alpine summits to the lowland pastures of Schleswig-Holstein. The rationalization of the Common Agricultural Policy has been felt as hard in Germany as anywhere. At State level in Germany, species of animals and plants are protected from harmful interference except 'for reasons of farming and forestry exploitation'. As a consequence, National Parks in Germany seek to protect both of these elements of the natural heritage.
