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