PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
The Apuseni Mountains, unique caves and surrounding karst areas, developed on highly soluble rocks, make up an exceptional natural patrimony in Romania. These sites are protected by law, but they are subject to degradation caused by uncontrolled and unorganised tourism. Tourists circulate over the entire area, including the most sensitive zones of the karst. They camp in unprotected areas, outside the dedicated camping zones and walk in out of bound circuits, often through sensitive areas of the karst and even through the caves which are strictly protected. The overall result of these practices is a continuous degradation of the karst areas in the Apuseni Mountains. Other mountain areas in Romania, notably in the Gorj area, located in Southern Romania, are facing similar problems.
OBJECTIVES
The project aimed at preventing the ongoing degradation of the karstic patrimony and the ecologic revitalization of secondary destroyed areas. The project included making the areas equipped so as to offer easy access to tourists, while at the same time minimising their impact on the natural landscape. It also intended to create facilities for visitors, to control the tourist flow and restrict it to the less sensitive areas. It aimed to demonstrate that sustainable tourism is perfectly possible in the karst areas, when appropriate arrangements on the ground and proper public awareness measures are put in place.
RESULTS
The project team managed to construct paths that keep the cave's visitors in an area that allows a tourism flow with a minimal impact to the ecosystems. For this purpose, in 6 major caves in the Apuseni Mountains (Ungurului, Vintului, Chiscau, Meziad, Cetatile Ponorului and Focul Viu), facilities were constructed that integrate into the natural landscape and minimise the impact of the visitors: paths, fences and lighting systems. The paths going through or nearby the karst areas in the Apuseni Mountains were restricted and an alternative 100 km of paths were marked and arranged for tourism purposes. In two of the most visited camping areas in Apuseni Park - Suncuius and Glavoi- ecological toilets and garbage facilities were constructed. To inform and educate the tourists, three Information centres were constructed at the entrance to Apuseni Park: Alesd, Caput and Beius, where the tourist traffic is dense. A Training Centre in the Management of the Karst was established in Cluj City and is now being operated by the Speleological Federation. The results were disseminated via 3 web-sites, 6 conferences, 21 press conferences and 12 radio broadcasts and 5,000 leaflets distribution, 7 postcards images, 2 video-cassettes and 2 published photo albums. The project has demonstrated that, by combining measures to protect the caves and control the tourism flow, social and economic development is possible and a sustainable use of natural assets and traditional cultural heritage can be achieved. The project team managed to construct paths that keep the cave's visitors in an area that allows a tourism flow with a minimal impact to the ecosystems. For this purpose, in 6 major caves in the Apuseni Mountains (Ungurului, Vintului, Chiscau, Meziad, Cetatile Ponorului and Focul Viu), facilities were constructed that integrate into the natural landscape and minimise the impact of the visitors: paths, fences and lighting systems. The paths going through or nearby the karst areas in the Apuseni Mountains were restricted and an alternative 100 km of paths were marked and arranged for tourism purposes. In two of the most visited camping areas in Apuseni Park - Suncuius and Glavoi- ecological toilets and garbage facilities were constructed. To inform and educate the tourists, three Information centres were constructed at the entrance to Apuseni Park: Alesd, Caput and Beius, where the tourist traffic is dense. A Training Centre in the Management of the Karst was established in Cluj City and is now being operated by the Speleological Federation. The results were disseminated via 3 web-sites, 6 conferences, 21 press conferences and 12 radio broadcasts and 5,000 leaflets distribution, 7 postcards images, 2 video-cassettes and 2 published photo albums. The project has demonstrated that, by combining measures to protect the caves and control the tourism flow, social and economic development is possible and a sustainable use of natural assets and traditional cultural heritage can be achieved.