Project Detail

Sustainable Management of Natural Resources in the Vicinity of the Retezat National Park for the Benefit of Local Communities

The Salasul de Sus community and the local association Asociatia Composesorala Plai-Groapele, owner of pastures and forests that are partly in the Retezat National Park and partly in the Dinozaurus GeoparcTara Hategului, need substantial support to develop activities that can contribute directly or indirectly to the conservation of the protected area value and help locals to generate alternative incomes.

The present project will initiate activities that should contribute to developing alternative income generating activities by establishing an irrigation system for the Christmas tree plantation and by suporting the development of new tourism attractions outside the National Park area. The irrigation system will be based on the reconstruction of a pond that will serve as important water source for the animals of the community, especially in very dry summers. Capacity buidling activities are planned for local authorities and local people to support development of project proposals and funding for sustainable development in the area.

The project will also contribute to the promotion of the valueas of the area and traditional handicrafts to visitors through the information point that will be established by the Retezat Tourism Association in Hateg. The Association was established by local entrepreneurs in 2007, with support from the UNDP GEF Project ?Sustainable Management of Natural Resources in the vicinity of the Retezat National Park for the benefit of local communities? that is being implemented in the Salasul de Sus and Râu de Mori areas. One purpose of the Association is to develop the network of local entrepreneurs who can contribute to the development and promotion of a proper tourism intrastructure in the vicinity of the Retezat National Park, thus reducing visiture pressure on the National Park.

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Project Snapshot

Grantee:

Asociatia de Turism Retezat

Country:

Romania

Area Of Work:

Biodiversity
Climate Change Mitigation
Land Degradation

Operational Phase:

Phase 4

Grant Amount:

US$ 34,799.00

Co-Financing Cash:

US$ 15,400.00

Co-Financing in-Kind:

US$ 15,400.00

Project Number:

ROM/SGP/OP4/RAF/07/05

Start Date:

12/2007

End Date:

4/2010

Status:

Satisfactorily Completed

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Project Characteristics and Results

Gender Focus

100 women are involved in information and practical activities regarding the local products? manufacturing using traditional techniques.

Significant Participation of Indigenous Peoples

70 persons participate in training activities, 300 persons apply the good practices regarding the sustainable land management; 600 persons participate in the information activities.

Notable Community Participation

The community from Salasul de Sus, two NGOs and two local public authorities (administration and environment) are participating in the project activities.

Planning non gef grant

The consultant contacted by ATR (ProPArk Foundation) has developed together with the representative of the Compossessorate Plai-Groapele a project model that will be implemented within the Compossessorate and coordinated in partnership with ATR. The project theme will be "Stimulation of local communities' contributions to the reduction of climate change effects", the two major directions being as follows: 1. forestation of degraded or abandoned land, 2. stimulation of domestic consumption to reduce energy and fuel (wood)

Replication of project activities

The project activities implemented in the area can be replicated in a region with similar geographical and vegetational features

Promoting Public Awareness of Global Environment

The project activities raise awareness of the local population on the climate changes, biodiversity conservation and sustainable land management.

Emphasis on Sustainable Livelihoods

The project supported the locals? efforts to increase their income by: - establishing an irrigation system for the Christmas tree plantation and arranging troughs for animals watering; - promoting and supporting the eco-tourism development based on the local resources (set up a Tourism Information Center, rehabilitation of a pond and arrange it for angling); - supporting the production and valorization of the traditional products (food and handicrafts).

Capacity - Building Component

The project?s activities (information, seminars, trainings) will enhance community?s capacity regarding: - the climate change and its effects; - the importance biodiversity conservation and sustainable use of its resources; - the possibilities to access funding for financing community sustainable development projects;

Project sustainability

Through the implementation of the project proposal "Stimulation of local communities' contributions to the reduction of climate change effects" the project will maintain it's sustainability

Project Results

- Rehabilitation of a pond from the Compossesorate of "Plai-Groapele", repairing the dam of the pond and capturing the water, clogging the pond and creating a canal for the excess water
- Purchasing a water pump for capturing additional sources of water in case of the drainage of the pond
- Realization of the pumping station and population of the pond with a carp fish colony
- Arrangement of a camping site with vehicle access, a road of 1.3 km length
- 2 information panels for the Hateg tourist information point, 2 information panels for the "Paladeanu Lake" realized within the project, replacement of the map and information panels from Ohaba de sub Piatra train station, the main point of entry into Hategului Region - Retezat National Park
- Realization of promotional materials of the sightseeing routes and the tourist attractions:
Creation of the map of the touristic area, 1500 printed copies; a tourist brochure of Retezat Hateg region, 2000 printed copies; tourist information brochure, printed 500 copies; "Discover, Explore, Relax in the Retezat National Park",and "Discover, explore the nature and thematic trails in the Retezat and Hategului Region" each printed in 8000 copies
- Realization of the Hateg Tourist Information Center - 2320 visitors annually
- Training a personnel for the Information Center
- Identification of four individual local manufacturers of leather products, textiles, wood, pottery and porcelain with specific national motifs of the Hateg Region - signed contracts to promote their products at the Tourist Information Center
- Training of youth and women in the area of traditional products development
- Organization of a mini-fair of traditional owners to establish the link between the pension owners and individual producers. The fair will get a permanent schedule as it will be included in the list of traditional country fairs. Outside the project it has already been carried out such an event entitled "Traditional fasting products' fair"
- 2 trainings entitled to local communities for accessing funds
- Elaboration of project proposal "Stimulation of local communities' contributions to the reduction of climate change effects"

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Indicators

Biophysical

Number of globally significant species protected by project 1

Biophysical

Hectares of globally significant biodiversity area protected or sustainably managed by project 5

Biophysical

Number of local policies informed in climate change focal area 1

Empowerment

Number of women participated / involved in SGP project 100

Biophysical

Number of innovations or new technologies developed / applied 1

Livehood

Number of households who have benefited* from SGP project 500

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