Snakes conservation and steppe habitatS restoration in the Lower Dniester Ramsar site project
During 2004 and 2005 BIOTICA ES implemented Snakes conservation and steppe habitat restoration in the Lower Dniester Ramsar site project supported by the Frankfurt Zoological Society, Germany. The project had the purpose the research of the steppe sectors in the Ramsar site as valuable habitats for many rare species of plants and animals, including for snakes.
BIOTICA Ecological Society together with the Mayoralties and schools, for the first time in Moldova in the frame of this project applied the method of agrosteppe elaborated in Russia. To do this the seed material was collected in the area of multifunctional management steppe sector at the north of Bugeac in two period of maturation of steppe seeds. This fact was possible due to the permission of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources and support of local authorities of Gagauzia. More than that, project participants of BIOTICA together with the pupils had collected seeds of different rare species of feather grass where these are preserved. Mayoralties of Popeasca, Talmaza and Rascaieti villages had allocated for creating the agrosteppe the sectors selected by specialists. These sectors were processed and on a total area of about 7 ha the steppe grass mixture was seeded, and on some places the botanists had seeded rare plants. The pupils enclosed one of the sectors with a green hedge with steppe bushes and seeded acorns of downy oak. The Mayoralties made the decision to maintain these sectors according to the recommendations elaborated by BIOTICA to be able to get here seeds and to improve the pastures using the agrosteppe method.
During the preparation of the sectors for seeding, the botanists and zoologists were researching the grasslands, collecting many data about the plant communities, about rare species of grasses, snakes and insects. After that they elaborated a management plan for steppe and forest-steppe sectors and transmitted to local authorities. The management plan was elaborated to improve the knowledge about the biological diversity of the territory, to prepare recommendations that were missing till now and to improve the possibilities for ecological reconstruction to protect the natural inheritance.
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Interview in “Natura” magazine
Piotr Gorbunenko, manager of “Biodiversity
Conservation in the Lower Dniester Delta Ecosystem” gave an
interview to “Natura”
magazine regarding the situation of the Lower Dniester National
Park creation. Romanian
and Russian versions are
available only.
informative seminar in stefan-voda
On
February 28 within Stefan-Voda District Council, BIOTICA ES organized
a seminar dedicated to spreading the results of the “Conservation
and restoration of steppe habitats as biotope for endangered snakes
in the Dniester valley in Moldova” project supported by the Frankfurt
Zoological Society and to the situation of the “Biodiversity
Conservation in the Lower Dniester Delta Ecosystem” project,
supported by GEF/WB. Mayors and other representatives of the local
authorities from the region took part in this seminar. Mr. Nicolae
Damian, vice-president of Stefan-Voda District, moderated the seminar.
Within this seminar the results of the “Conservation and restoration
of steppe habitats as biotope for endangered snakes in the Dniester
valley in Moldova” project were presented, that was successfully
implemented in the region, in the frame of which three steppe seed-nurseries
were created to improve pastures and to make conditions for development
of the endangered species of plants, insects and snakes. Local population
was actively involved in this project implemented in partnership
with local authorities.
Piotr
Gorbunenko, manager of “Biodiversity
Conservation in the Lower Dniester Delta Ecosystem” project
presented the actual situation of this project, all efforts of BIOTICA
ES and World Bank to solve this problem and the causes why the project
can’t be extended. Till now in the frame of this project technical
studies were conducted and many necessary documents were elaborated,
which will be transmitted in the region independently of the Park’s
future as Mr. Alexei Andreev, team leader of technical group mentioned.
Also BIOTICA ES handed the satellite photograph of Stefan-Voda District
to the representative of Stefan-Voda District, Mr. Nicolae Damian.
Participants at the seminar have shown their profound indignation
about the attitude of country administration to the park’s future.
A resolution was approved at the seminar, in which local authorities
show their conviction about the positive impact of the project on
the living standards in the region and plead against the project
closing, in the frame of which important sources could be invested
in the region through grants and credits and acute environmental
problems could be solved. The decision was taken to transmit this
resolution to country administration.
open letter to the State Authorities
Due to the fact that decision on the creation of
the Lower Dniester National Park continues to be delayed, BIOTICA
Ecological Society was forced to address with the open letter to
the Speaker of the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova Ms. Eugenia
Ostapciuc and to the President of the Republic of Moldova Mr. Vladimir
Voronin.
Enormous efforts made for the Project proposal preparation and
for the National Park creation could be useless if the Parliament
won’t approve the Decision on the Lower Dniester National Park creation.
But the decision has been postponed for more than a half a year.
Discussion on the establishing of the Lower Dniester National Park
in the Parliament was displaced by the financial management of the
Biodiversity Conservation
in the Lower Dniester Delta Ecosystem Project issue. We have
passed successfully two international audits, nevertheless falsehoods,
initiated by opponents of the National Park creation in 2002, are
being spread in the circulation.
The World Bank Regional Director for Ukraine, Belarus and Moldova
Mr. Luca Barbone has asked already the Prime-Minister of the Republic
of Moldova Mr. Vasile Tarlev in the letter
dated on 2 September 2004 to finalise establishment of the National
Park till 30 October 2004. Otherwise the World Bank would have no
choice but to cancel works on the Lower Dniester National Park creation.
That’s why the Board of the BIOTICA Ecological Society is forced
to address to the State authorities with the appeal to stop discussions,
to approve the Decision on Lower Dniester National Park creation,
to proceed to its creation and to real cooperation.
The full text in Romanian
and in Russian
could be found here.
First Round of the Small Grant Program
The collecting of grant proposals for the First Round
of the Small Grant Program in the framework of the Global
Environment Facility/ World
Bank “Biodiversity
Conservation in the Lower Dniester Delta Ecosystem” project
ended up. Within this program 23 of grant proposals had been submitted,
among which the Selection Committee selected 16 grant proposals
to be financed. Due to the fact that the Parliament has not been
issued yet the Decision about the Lower Dniester National Park creation,
the future of the Park is not clear, that is why the World Bank
was forced to allow financing of only 6 projects coordinated with
Bank. The other grant proposals will be financed when the Parliament
will approve the respective Decision. List of winners and additional
information can be found here
Towards halting the loss of biodiversity
by 2010
On June 15, 2004 in the premises of the Parliament of Moldova in
the frames of the common with The
Central and East European Working Group for the Enhancement of Biodiversity
(CEEWEB) project «Towards halting the loss of biodiversity by
2010» was organised the Round table dedicated to the discussions
on the implementation of Kyiv Biodiversity Resolution provisions,
adopted during the 5th Pan-European Kyiv Ministerial Conference
in May 2003. The Round table was organized by the Parliament of
the Republic of Moldova, Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources
and BIOTICA Ecological Society, financially supported by the Swiss
Agency for Environment, Forest and Landscape and the UNDP
office in Montenegro. Members of the Parliament RM, representatives
of the President office, the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources,
research institutions, non-governmental organizations and mass-media
took part in it.
Mr. Andrei Conisescu, the Chairman of Parliamentary
Commission on Ecology and Territory Development, welcomed the Round
table participants. He emphasized the significance of biodiversity
conservation for the Republic of Moldova, pointed out the main problems
with which the country is facing at present and shaped a range of
issues needed to be discussed, inlcuding in the area of further
development of the environmental policy of the country, determining
the national priorities and ways for legislation improving, as well
as integration of biodiversity conservation issue in the sectorial
policy of Moldova.
Academician Gheorghe Duca, former Ministry of Ecology, Construction
and Territory Development and head of delegation of the Republic
of Moldova at the Pan-European Ministerial Conference "Environment
for Europe" and now the President of Academy of Science RM
described Moldovan delegation's participation at Ministerial Conference
activities and made an overview of Kyiv Biodiversity Resolution.
According to his opinion, there is a potential for implementation
of Kyiv Resolution in Moldova, however, to achieve this there is
a need for a consolidation of cooperation between the state and
non-state organizations in order to find the common grounds.
Also
the Pan-European Biological and Landscape Diversity Strategy, the
international efforts to achieve Kyiv targets, current situation
in field of biodiversity conservation in the Republic of Moldova,
as well as the necessary steps for the implementation of Kyiv targets
have been discussed during the Round table.
The participants openly and actively discussed the
current state in Moldova, analyzed the causes for the present situation
and proposed the possible ways for solving the problems linked with
biodiversity conservation.
In the whole, the Round table emphasized the aims
and targets, defined by Kyiv Ministerial Conference in Biodiversity
Resolution and in the Pan-European Biological and Landscape Diversity
Strategy and became a forum for finding the ways of achieving these
aims in Moldova.
The launch of the Small Grant Program
for biodiversity conservation
On
May 18, 2004, BIOTICA Ecological Society has launched the Small
Grant Program in the frame of the “Biodiversity
Conservation in the Lower Dniester Delta Ecosystem” Project
and invites NGOs, farmers and farmers' associations from villages:
Copanca, Gradinita, Plop Stiubei, Popeasca, Talmaza, Cioburciu,
Crocmaz, Olanesti, Tudora, Rascaieti, Purcari si Palanca, as well
as other NGOs, acting in that area, to prepare project proposals
for funding.
The budget of the proposed project could not exceed 5 000 USD.
This Small Grant Program is supported by the Global
Environment Facility (GEF) and the World
Bank.
The goal of this program is to support :
1. Improvement of biodiversity conservation in the region;
2. Ecological restoration activity and promotion of sustainable
development principles on the territory of first National Park in
Moldova.
Following priority areas will be funded:
1. New pastures creation and improvement of exisiting ones;
2. Planting of forest shelter belts;
3. Eco-tourism development activity.
One project will be funded in area of informational support of biodiversity
conservation activity in the region.
The deadline for all applications is June
04, 2004, at 17.00. Applications received after deadline
will not be considered. Applications should be submitted to BIOTICA
Ecological Society: of. 22, Nicolae Dimo str. 17/4, mun. Chisinau,
2068. The Guide (in Romanian
and Russian),
Manual
and Application Form (in Romanian
and Russian)
could be found here.
Seminar – training for local leaders
The
seminar-training for local authorities, representatives of rural
business and NGOs has been conducted in the frames of GEF/WB
project “Biodiversity
Conservation in the Lower Dniester Delta Ecosystem” (BCLDDE).
The seminar, supported by rayon authorities, was held on 1-3rd March
in the town of Stefan-Voda District. The main objectives were to
explain the necessity of participation in small grants programs
and to train in preparation of project proposals aiming to engage
public into environment supportive activities with active cooperation
of local administration. That has to be done through the active
participation of local communities in realization of projects supported
by different sources (for example, National and Local Environmental
Funds, Regional Environmental Center, Social Investment Fund etc.)
as well as through the BCLDDE’s small grant program (80,000 USD
in support of farmers involvement and 40,000 USD for NGOs environmental
advocacy) in order to improve social-ecological conditions in local
settlements and around.
During the first day 79 representatives of the target
area and important persons invited from the nearest villages have
received background information. Piotr Gorbunenko, PIU manager,
made an introduction into the BCLDDE project and focused upon participatory
approach to nature conservation, sustainable use of biodiversity
resources and territorial development under umbrella of the planned
national park. Elena Creanga, Ministry of Environment, Construction
and Territorial Development gave an presentation about the National
Environmental Fund, its operational rules and priorities. Alexei
Andreev, Technical Studies and Management Plan Team Leader made
an analysis of the Land Code, the Forest Code, the Law on the Fund
of Natural Areas, Protected by State, the Law on Water-protective
Zones and Bands of Rivers and Water Bodies, the Law on Amelioration
through Afforestation of Degraded
Lands and the Law on local public administration. Those legal acts
stipulate the competence of the local authorities and responsibility
of landowners for observance of environmental law. The legal regulations
provide for the wide possibilities for the local authorities in
the territorial land use planning, conservation of natural and historical
values, describe the influence upon state forest and other agencies
and furthermore, include the option to differentiate to some degree
local taxes and duties in order to provide environmentally friendly
policy. At the same time, that competence is not supported by adequate
financing, state reporting and current capacities of the local authorities.
Attraction of donor investment and use of the National Park’s capacities
would fulfill these gaps and improve social-ecological situation.
Igor Barcari, Chairman of Council of shareholders of Moldova-Tour
Joint Stock Company, told about sustainable use of natural resources
and the benefits for local population from such approach. Ana Olaru,
officer of the Regional Environmental
Center of Moldova informed auditory about REC’s regulations
and experience in implementation of the programs of cooperation
with NGOs.
The next days Piotr Gorbunenko being supported by
the Project Consultants Nicolae Grosu and Tatiana Marin have trained
65 participants in principles and practical preparation of project
proposals directed to financing the grass-root activities.
Biodiversity in Europe
Conference
On
January 19-21 2004 representatives of BIOTICA Ecological Society
participated in the 3rd
Intergovernmental 'Biodiversity in Europe' Conference (Madrid,
Spain). European ECO-Forum Biodiversity
Issue Group (BIG) coordinated NGO participation in the Conference.
The delegation of European ECO-Forum
consisted of Dr. Alexei Andreev, BIOTICA Ecological Society,
Moldova; Ms. Karin Dubsky, Coastwatch, Ireland; Mr. Piotr Gorbunenko,
European ECO-Forum, Moldova; Mr. Andras Krolopp, CEEWEB, Hungary;
Mr. Oleg Tsaruk, Biostan, Uzbekistan.
The Conference stressed that substantially increased
efforts are required to safeguard Europe’s nature and biodiversity
from further destruction by humankind. EU Commissioner Wallström
said that the European
Commission will step up its efforts to halt the decline of nature
and biodiversity. She highlighted, while referring to the upcoming
7th Conference
of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity, that
a true global partnership on biodiversity is required. She also
said: "It is time to ring the alarm bell. Biodiversity loss
has accelerated to an unprecedented level, both in Europe and worldwide...
To reach the 2010 targets, we must do more!". Halting the loss
of biodiversity at all levels in Europe by 2010 is at the core of
the Resolution
on Biodiversity and the EU
Sustainability Strategy. Ukrainian
Minister of Environment Protection Serhiy Polyakov and Secretary
General of the Spanish Ministry of
Environment, Juan Del Alamo underlined the importance of the
European nature and biodiversity policies, in particular the legal
instruments for protected areas and policies to integrate biodiversity
into economic and land use sectors. On behalf of UNEP
Mr. Shafqat Kakakhel, Deputy Executive Director, outlined
the challenges ahead for Europe to achieve the 9 targets set in
Kyiv for halting the loss of biodiversity to 2010. He stressed that
achieving these targets will fail unless statements are supported
by action on the ground. He said that the UNEP-IUCN-ECNC-REC
Biodiversity Service will remain available to assist countries
and in fulfilling their biodiversity requirements under the Convention
on Biological Diversity. IUCN
Director General Achim Steiner addressed the delegates from 31 European
countries who discussed how to turn the 2010 targets into reality
and what tools can be used to harmonize this process. IUCN
Regional Office for Europe presented on behalf of its members
within the European region the Countdown
to 2010 initiative, which aims to promote highly focused action
on a number of themes that are critical to the success of the 2010
targets.
Delegation of the European ECO-Forum actively participated
in the Conference and made several statements.
Large part of proposals made by ECO-Forum delegation were incorporated
in final document of the Conference. Key aspect for European ECO-Forum
delegation became "public participation" in planning and
implementation of biodiversity conservation activities on European,
regional and national levels.
State and Civil Society: ways to consolidation
On 8-9 December 2003
in the premises of the Parliament
of Moldova the Council of Europe
and BIOTICA Ecological Society organised a seminar with the topic
"Cooperation of the state and civil society in Moldova: a way to
consolidation".
More than 70 MPs as well as Hans de Jonge, Director
of External Relations Directorate, Council of Europe and Max Gilbert,
Head of the Civil Society Unit, Council of Europe and other national
and international experts took part in it.
Participants confirmed the importance of the development
of effective mechanisms of public participation in law drafting
and, more generally, in the decision making processes at the national
and local levels. They recognised some progress achieved in the
level of development of the national non-for-profit legal framework
and were convinced that competent and responsible NGOs input to
the process of public policy formulation enhances the applicability
of legislation and the seriousness of governmental decision making.
They
also noted that, although NGOs and state authorities sometimes have
an ambiguous attitude towards dialogue, it is in the interest of
them both to establish mechanisms for dialogue and consultation,
as they pursue a common objective of finding solutions to society's
problems and satisfying its members' needs. It was noted that public
participation is distinct from, and does not replace, the role of
political parties. Consultation may take place at a national, local
or sectorial level and may be particularly useful in the drafting
of legislation.
The participants recommended to analyse in close cooperation
with Council of Europe experts the current national legal framework
related to the functioning of NGOs with a view to its perfection;
to cooperate with Council of Europe experts in the development of
legislation related to the non-for-profit sector in Moldova and
to ask the Council of Europe to analyse, in particular, the draft
laws 'On public participation in decision making' and the '1% Law'
that got a special attention during the Seminar.
The seminar in the Parliament of Moldova on NGO topic
is the first the whole life of Moldovan parliamentarism.
«MoldEco-2003» Exhibition
BIOTICA
took an active part at the specialized exhibition «MoldEco-2003»
that was held in the International
Exhibition Center «MoldExpo», Chisinau (Moldova) on 28.10-01.11.
The exhibition focused on such issues as application of modern technologies
and equipment for environment protection, investments’ attraction
and implementation of environment programs.
There were experts and scientists from different departments
of the Ministry of Ecology, Constructions and Territorial Development
(an organizer of this exhibition), representatives from academies,
universities, NGOs and foreign experts.
BIOTICA demonstrated the map of the future national
park with tourist attractions and ecological paths as well as the
map of the ecological network along with the material from the last
projects. BIOTICA’s stand was visited by the Vice Prime Minister
and Minister of Agriculture Mr. D.Todoroglo, Vice Minister of Ecology
Mr. N. Stratan - both paid special attention to the critical situation
of the Dniester Old River-Bed and to the necessity of its restoration.
The stand was also attended by the Consultant of Parliamentary Commission
on Ecology and Sustainable Development Mr. D. Osipov and Manager
of the project «Biodiversity Conservation in the Lower Dniester
Delta Ecosystem» from the World Bank, Mr. S. Suleymanov.
NGOs in Transdniestria
BIOTICA is implementing the Project «Strengthening
of NGO community in Transdniestria» (2003-2004) supported by
National Endowment for Democracy, USA.
The purpose of this project is to increase the possibilities
of non-governmental organizations in Transdniestria on the access
to information, fund-raising, development of international cooperation
and close relations with the public. To achieve these goals,
two seminars on IT education and management of non-governmental
organization have been organized. There are also five resource
centers of NGO being created. During this project the memorandum
of cooperation was signed with Moldovan NGO
OrangeNet Foundation
that has a similar project on the right bank of the Dniester
River. It helped to unify efforts of both projects to link NGOs
from both banks of the river.
New possibilities for rural tourism
On
19th of July 2003 BIOTICA Ecological Society, implementing the project
«Biodiversity Conservation in the Lower Dniester
Delta Ecosystem» aiming to create a National Park «Lower Dniester»
supported by GEF/World
Bank, has organized the familiarization tour-excursion to the
rural tourist complex «Satul
Moldovenesc» that is situated near Criuleni village.
Though this complex has been created only recently it has a well–deserved
reputation. Different national and international activities are
being organized there. The latest example is the international competition
for the best performance of tolling of bells that attracted many
participants and tourists.
It is also the place for high foreign guests including those of
the President of the Republic of Moldova.
The main goal of this excursion was to demonstrate
the possibilities of rural tourism in Moldova.
Representatives of local communities that are
interested in the development of eco-tourism service, Major’s
authorities on the territory of the future national park, regional
authorities of Causeni and Stefan Voda and representatives of
central authorities took part at this event.
In opinion of the participants, tourist complex «Satul
Moldovenesc» has not only vividly demonstrated the embodied
possibility to organize the tourist’s activity in rural areas but
also helped to find out the ways of further eco-tourism development
and to establish the partnership relations with people concerned.
BIOTICA
as a participant at Kyiv Conference
BIOTICA took part at the 5th
Pan-European Conference of Environment Ministers «Environment for
Europe» organized on 21-23 of March, 2003 in Kyiv, Ukraine.
Together with Ministers’ meeting, the conference
of European Eco-Forum and Ukrainian NGOs was held on 19- 23 March.
During side events the representatives of Eco-Forum and governmental
organizations have been discussing wide frame of issues, for example,
the state of Pan-European biodiversity policy from NGO point
of view, implemention of the Aarhus Convention, the problems of
a New Inter Country network in environment and sustainable development
and many other important issues.
The Round table «The Dniester Convention as a way
to sustainable management of transboundary river basin» organized
by the Ministry of Ecology, Construction
and Territorial Development of the Republic of Moldova and Eco-TIRAS
International Environmental Association of River Keepers, where
BIOTICA took an active part, was of the keen interest.
Together with the sittings, meetings and round tables there was an exposition
during the conference where different organizations involved in the sphere of
environment could directly present their activities.
It should be said that the stand of BIOTICA Ecological
Society was of the intense interest not only of Ukrainian colleagues
but also of many representatives from Central and Western Europe.
The stand was mainly dedicated to the project «Biodiversity Conservation
in the Lower Dniester delta ecosystem» aiming to create the Lower
Dniester National Park and supported by GEF/World
Bank.
Global Biodiversity Forum in Moldova
The first
regional session of the Global Biodiversity Forum for Eastern Europe,
Caucasus and Central Asia region, (EECCA) was held in Chisinau,
the Republic of Moldova, on 23-25 April. Its main organizers were
IUCN - The World Conservation Union,
BIOTICA Ecological Society and the Ministry
of Ecology, Construction and Territorial Development of the Republic
of Moldova. This session was devoted to biodiversity of a tremendous
area that is very rich in flora, fauna and soil cover, as well as
in climate and relief conditions for plants and animals.
The Forum that embraced over 150 participants from
15 countries was held at the verge of the Ministerial Conference
«Kyiv-2003» organized within the framework of the «Environment
for Europe» process .
The
session focused mainly on the following themes: Issues and Challenges;
Agriculture, Biodiversity, and Sustainable Land Use; EECCA Environmental
Strategy: Perspectives and Obstacles, and the Development of Protected
Areas system and Pan-European Ecological Network in the EECCA During
the discussion of last theme conclusions and recommendation, among
which the establishment of natural parks of Moldova and Ukraine
in the Lower Dniester river were elaborated (www.gbf.ch/Session_Administration/upload/Report_in_Russian(2).pdf
).
There was also held the workshop «Integration of biodiversity
considerations into policies of financial and private sectors» organized
by the European Center for Nature Conservation.
More detailed information about forum
and its results is available on www.gbf.ch
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