Project Detail

Sustainable Management of Natural Reserve ?Tur River??s Natural Values

The project aims at ensuring the conservation of the natural inheritance from the ?Tur River? Natural Reserve, through the designation of the site as a ?Natura 2000? one, through setting a biodegradable waste management system with community participation to reduce the discharge of organic substances and nutrients in wetlands, and by promoting eco-tourism as an income-generating activity for the local communities, supported by the achievement of a cycling route.

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Project Snapshot

Grantee:

Societatea Carpatina Ardeleana - Satu Mare

Country:

Romania

Area Of Work:

Biodiversity

Operational Phase:

Phase 3

Grant Amount:

US$ 25,859.00

Co-Financing Cash:

US$ 7,529.00

Co-Financing in-Kind:

US$ 13,060.40

Project Number:

ROM/05/11

Start Date:

8/2005

End Date:

12/2006

Status:

Satisfactorily Completed

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Project Characteristics and Results

Project sustainability

- the interest in composting technologies raised among local communities, including youth, who are determined to carry on this project initiative; - the local public-private partnership, including co-financing, stands as a proof for their interest to continue similar activities in the future; - the establishment of the bicycle routes creates the prerequisites for the development of eco-tourism in the area.

Emphasis on Sustainable Livelihoods

- the waste capitalised through composting saves money to the community (they receive free compost); - the bicycle track will ease tourist traffic. The increased number of tourists provide a good alternative to the inefficient agricultural methods for the local communities, laying the grounds for economic development in the region. The vicinity to the Western border of the country stands as a guarrantee for a continued growth in the number of tourists. Implementation of eco-tourism principles provide the basis for sustainable use of the biodiversity resources.

Capacity - Building Component

Capacity building of local authorities, local NGO/CBO's and educational institutions in the field of implementation of an environmental project.

Notable Community Participation

Representatives of the local communities were partners in the project, including 9 local government authorities (communes), 1 municipality, 3 CBOs, 1 NGO, 3 schools and 2 private companies. All of them also co-financed the project.

Promoting Public Awareness of Global Environment

The awareness raising activities determined an increase in the level of education concerning the importance of biodiversity. The informative materials disseminated to the locals contributed to their better understanding of the advantages and obligations for land owners in Natura 2000 sites. As a result, the householders of the 8 communities targeted will accept the protected area status easier.

Significant Participation of Indigenous Peoples

The local communities were targeted in the meetings organised within the project. They were informed in biodiversity conservation measures linked to Natura 2000 sites , as well as in composting and eco-tourism. Local communities (including local CBO and schools) participated at the removal of the illegal waste deposits by the river Tur. The publicity made to the activities of the project allowed for continuous communication with the communities.

Replication of project activities

The project can be replicated in regions with similar natural conditions for a sustainable and integrated management, either in full or in part (i.e. eco-tourism development, organic waste management, developing the documentation for declaring protected areas).

Policy Influence

The project developed the documentation and proposed the area as a Natura 2000 site.

Policy Impact

The project had as a result the request for including the sites in the Natura 2000 category.

Gender Focus

Women were involved in all the project stages, i.e. planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation. They were also part of the project team and volunteers.

Project Results

1. A detailed inventory of the natural values of the Tur River Natural Reserve was undertaken by 45 specialists who monitored 235 individuals of the local fauna (115 invertebrates, 15 amphibians, 62 birds and 25 mammals). The botanical habitats of the protected areas were mapped. Based on this data the documentation for declaring the site as Natura 2000 was produced and sent to the Ministry of Environment, as well as to local authorities and other stakeholders for public consultations. A total area of 20,900 ha was proposed as Natura 2000 site, enhancing the current protected area surface by 14,688 ha.

2. A system of biodegradable waste management was created by setting up 3 pilot composting stations where local people can bring organic waste in exchange for a similar amount of compost. This also determines savings for the communities at household level.

3. As an eco-tourism development result, the project set up 4 bike routes totalling 167 km which include the most important tourism objectives in the area. This includes 30 information boards and 420 tourist signs placed on the bicycle network.

4. The awareness was raised in local population of 9 communes on the importance of environment issues of local (water pollution) and global (biodiversity conservation) importance.

5. The project resulted in an increased local capacity to implement environment projects.

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Indicators

Biophysical

Number of innovations or new technologies developed/applied 1

Empowerment

Number of CBOs / NGOs participated / involved in SGP project 4

Empowerment

Number and type of support linkages established with local governments/authorities 9

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