PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
Located in the southern Carpathians karst region, the National Park of Bucegi has 25% of the forest habitat types in Romania. The project focuses on 19 alpine or sub-alpine forestry habitats in the EU Habitats Directive, five of which are priority Habitats. Some 1 245 species of spermatophytic plants can be found in the park, many of them endemics. The site hosts 27 vertebrate species, including three large carnivores - bear, wolf and lynx (Ursus arctos, Canis lupus and Lynx lynx). Birds present include three large eagle species (Aquila clanga, A. pomarina and A. chrysaetos). The main threats come from the current forestry management resulting in the destruction of habitats and the abandonment of the traditional maintenance of meadows in certain mountain areas. On top of that, intensive pressure from uncontrolled tourism is increasing and causing problems to the conservation of the site.
OBJECTIVES
The project aims to reconcile the conservation of the National Park and the uses of its natural resources through management of forestry, mountain agriculture and tourism. One of the main results of the project will be the restoration of certain degraded areas hosting interesting habitats, mainly pine woods and meadows. Detailed plans for habitat conservation activities would be drawn up in a preparation phase, including the precise areas to be restored, the material needed and the estimated budget for each action. Restoration work would include plantation and conservation of mountain pine (Pinus mugo) and Swiss pine (P. cembra), and weeding of alpine meadows. Erosion in the park would be brought under control through the organisation of nature trails and fencing, which will also help to restrict tourism pressure. An information and awareness campaign aimed at the local population and tourists will support the habitat management actions of the project.
RESULTS
The project did not achieve its objectives. The administration and wardening of the park was to be set up with financial support from the World Bank-GEF. The Life project was to have been carried out with the support of this management staff. The park administration was not set up as foreseen and this constrained the ability of the project to achieve its objectives. Elections in 2000 led to changes in relevant administrative structures. A new legislative framework for land ownership (giving land back to private owners that had been taken by the communist state) and the designation and management of protected areas was established in the same year. Working plans were prepared for five target areas. Limited activities were undertaken by volunteers, including the reconstruction of 6 km of trails and a bridge. A webpage was available for the duration of the project.The project did not achieve its objectives. The administration and wardening of the park was to be set up with financial support from the World Bank-GEF. The Life project was to have been carried out with the support of this management staff. The park administration was not set up as foreseen and this constrained the ability of the project to achieve its objectives. Elections in 2000 led to changes in relevant administrative structures. A new legislative framework for land ownership (giving land back to private owners that had been taken by the communist state) and the designation and management of protected areas was established in the same year. Working plans were prepared for five target areas. Limited activities were undertaken by volunteers, including the reconstruction of 6 km of trails and a bridge. A webpage was available for the duration of the project.
