LOWER DANUBE GREEN CORRIDOR – Last 10 Years Last 10 Years Dr. Meglena PLUGTSCHIEVA- Member of Parliament, National Assembly of the Republic of Bulgaria.

““LOWER DANUBE GREEN LOWER DANUBE GREEN CORRIDOR –CORRIDOR –

Last 10 Years”Last 10 Years”

Dr. Meglena PLUGTSCHIEVA-Member of Parliament,

National Assembly of the Republic of Bulgaria

Map of the Danube RegionMap of the Danube Region

Map of the Map of the Lower Lower DanubeDanube

Bulgaria has a long stretch Bulgaria has a long stretch of the globally important of the globally important lower Danubelower Danube /471 km.//471 km./

Structure of the Structure of the PresentationPresentation

BackgroundBackground

Main aims and activities of the LDGC projectMain aims and activities of the LDGC project

Impact and benefits from the LDGC project for the regionImpact and benefits from the LDGC project for the region

THE BACKGROUNDTHE BACKGROUND

1991:1991: Establishment of first contacts with WWF-Auen Institut in Rastatt Establishment of first contacts with WWF-Auen Institut in Rastatt /Germany/ and the involvement of Bulgaria in the Green Danube Project/Germany/ and the involvement of Bulgaria in the Green Danube Project

1991- 1996:1991- 1996: Implementation of the Green Danube Project for protection and Implementation of the Green Danube Project for protection and restoration of floodplain forests /restoration of floodplain forests /WWF-Auen-Institut in RastattWWF-Auen-Institut in Rastatt, Germany, and , Germany, and the Committee on Forests of the Republic of Bulgaria/the Committee on Forests of the Republic of Bulgaria/

April - May 1999:April - May 1999: Expert level meeting in Tulcea. Representatives of Expert level meeting in Tulcea. Representatives of Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine and Moldova discussed the basic concept for Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine and Moldova discussed the basic concept for designation of LDGC. designation of LDGC. The Danube Pollution Reduction Programme issued a report, prepared by WWF The Danube Pollution Reduction Programme issued a report, prepared by WWF DCPO and the WWF-Germany Auen Institut: Evaluation of Wetlands and DCPO and the WWF-Germany Auen Institut: Evaluation of Wetlands and Floodplain Areas in the Danube River Basin. The report identified priority Floodplain Areas in the Danube River Basin. The report identified priority wetlands for restoration.wetlands for restoration.

1999 - 2000:1999 - 2000: First procedures for designation of new protected areas along First procedures for designation of new protected areas along Danube islands and the floodplains on the Danube bank.Danube islands and the floodplains on the Danube bank.

June 2000:June 2000: Summit in Bucharest, LDGC agreement signed between the Summit in Bucharest, LDGC agreement signed between the ministers of environment of Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine and Moldova ministers of environment of Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine and Moldova

LDGC – Major Goals ILDGC – Major Goals IUnder the Under the LDGC agreement from the Summit in Bucharest, LDGC agreement from the Summit in Bucharest,

June 2000June 2000

to take concerted action to create a Lower Danube Green Corridor that will expand the cooperation and coordination between Bulgaria, Moldova, Romania and Ukraine

the countries will establish the Lower Danube Green Corridor composed of a minimum commitment of 773.166 ha of existing protected areas, 160.626 ha of proposed new protected areas, and 223.608 ha areas proposed to be restored to natural floodplain

each country will prepare an action plan that designate additional areas of floodplain that will be protected and restored.

to take all suitable measures to ensure the protection of the Lower Danube Green Corridor wetlands and floodplain habitat

organize a regular exchange of information in order to achieve effective protection of the Lower Danube Green Corridor

LDGC – Major Goals IILDGC – Major Goals II Under the Under the LDGC agreement from the Summit in Bucharest, LDGC agreement from the Summit in Bucharest,

June 2000June 2000 to recognize the crucial role of environmental Non-Governmental

Organisations in the expression of public interests and ideas in a democratic framework and to offer citizens and environmental NGOs the opportunity to play an active role in decision making processes.

To seek partners locally and nationally as well as internationally and Governments in order to co-operate and assist in the creation and maintenance of a Lower Danube Green Corridor

To take efforts to develop economic instruments which contribute to the reduction of the costs from pollution polluter pays principle) and to promote sustainable development and ecological imperatives in sectorial policies and in mobilizing national funds for environment and other ways for private and public financing.

To present the Lower Danube Green Corridor as a Gift to the Earth as part of the WWF Living Planet Campaign which is aimed to secure the conservation of the world’s most important biological resources and ecosystems into the next millennium.

Major steps for Major steps for implementation of LDGC in implementation of LDGC in

BulgariaBulgaria

Strategy for the protection and restoration of floodplain forests on Strategy for the protection and restoration of floodplain forests on the Bulgarian Danube islands – 2001 has been prepared and the Bulgarian Danube islands – 2001 has been prepared and adopted /75 Bulgarian islands with total area amounting to 10.700 adopted /75 Bulgarian islands with total area amounting to 10.700 ha/ha/

Action Plan for the implementation of the Action Plan for the implementation of the LDGC LDGC in Bulgaria – in Bulgaria – 2003 -20072003 -2007

Major Projects and InitiativesMajor Projects and Initiatives

THE THE STRATEGYSTRATEGY

Strategic framework for the sustainable management of the Strategic framework for the sustainable management of the Bulgarian Danube islands over a period of 30 yearsBulgarian Danube islands over a period of 30 years

Based on inter-institutional cooperationBased on inter-institutional cooperation Defines integrated management goals for biodiversity Defines integrated management goals for biodiversity

conservation, socio-economic development and environmental conservation, socio-economic development and environmental improvementimprovement

Conservation of existing natural floodplain forest communities on Conservation of existing natural floodplain forest communities on the Danube islandsthe Danube islands

Increasing of the area of floodplain forests of native species on Increasing of the area of floodplain forests of native species on the Danube islandsthe Danube islands

Protection and restoration of habitats of rare, threatened and Protection and restoration of habitats of rare, threatened and economically important species, including fish spawning siteseconomically important species, including fish spawning sites

Extension and strengthening of the protected areas network on Extension and strengthening of the protected areas network on the Danube islandsthe Danube islands

Raising of public and institutional awareness and supportRaising of public and institutional awareness and support

THE ACTION PLAN THE ACTION PLAN 2003 - 20082003 - 2008

Development and implementation of management plans Development and implementation of management plans for priority protected areasfor priority protected areas

Srebarna Nature Reserve -396 ha (2001-2006)Srebarna Nature Reserve -396 ha (2001-2006) Roussenski Lom Nature Park- 3408 ha (2002-2006)Roussenski Lom Nature Park- 3408 ha (2002-2006) Persina Nature Park- 21.700 ha (2004-2006)Persina Nature Park- 21.700 ha (2004-2006) Kalimok -Brashlain Protected Site- 6000 ha (2004-2006)Kalimok -Brashlain Protected Site- 6000 ha (2004-2006)

Restoration of Wetlands and Floodplain HabitatsRestoration of Wetlands and Floodplain Habitats

Kalimok Wetlands – 2,000 ha (2006)Kalimok Wetlands – 2,000 ha (2006) Persina Wetlands – 800 ha (2006)Persina Wetlands – 800 ha (2006) Danube islands’ floodplain forests – Danube islands’ floodplain forests – 30300 ha (2002-2006)0 ha (2002-2006)

THE ACTION PLAN THE ACTION PLAN 2003 - 20082003 - 2008

Institutional Capacity BuildingInstitutional Capacity Building

Establishment of Persina NP DirectorateEstablishment of Persina NP Directorate(2001-2002)(2001-2002)

Development and implementation of a management model for Development and implementation of a management model for Kalimok SiteKalimok Site(2002-2003)(2002-2003)

Training and equipment for Protected Areas management staff Training and equipment for Protected Areas management staff (2001-2006)(2001-2006)

Public Awareness RaisingPublic Awareness Raising

Development and implementation of a Communications Strategy Development and implementation of a Communications Strategy for the LDGCfor the LDGC (2001-2002)(2001-2002)

Publishing of promotion materialsPublishing of promotion materials Establishment of Stakeholder Panels at Sites of Conservation Establishment of Stakeholder Panels at Sites of Conservation

ImportanceImportance(2001-2002)(2001-2002)

Travelling exhibition in the Danube municipalities (2001-2002)Travelling exhibition in the Danube municipalities (2001-2002)

Major Projects and Major Projects and InitiativesInitiatives

II GGEFEF//WWorld orld BBankank wetland restorationwetland restoration and pollution and pollution

reduction projectreduction project 2003-2008 2003-2008

(covering major part of the activities in the action plan; total (covering major part of the activities in the action plan; total project costproject cost – 13,8 million USD)– 13,8 million USD)

PROJECT COMPONENTSWetland RestorationWetland Restoration, the most innovative activity, with high , the most innovative activity, with high replication value, at two proposed sites: Kalimok Marshes and the replication value, at two proposed sites: Kalimok Marshes and the Belene complex. Belene complex.

Water Quality MonitoringWater Quality Monitoring up- and downstream from the up- and downstream from the demonstration sites to determine the improvement achieved demonstration sites to determine the improvement achieved relative to expectations. Anticipated biodiversity improvements relative to expectations. Anticipated biodiversity improvements will also be monitored. will also be monitored.

Major Projects and Major Projects and InitiativesInitiatives

IIIIGGEFEF//WWorld orld BBankank wetland restorationwetland restoration and pollution reduction projectand pollution reduction project 2003-2008 2003-2008

- Activities to Ensure Long -Term Sustainability- Activities to Ensure Long -Term Sustainability, including , including strategies for sustainable use of the wetlands: harvesting of bio-strategies for sustainable use of the wetlands: harvesting of bio-mass; revitalization of fisheries; tourism based on the natural mass; revitalization of fisheries; tourism based on the natural attractionsattractions;;

- Public Awareness- Public Awareness campaigns to enhance the understanding of campaigns to enhance the understanding of the public of the importance of wetlands the public of the importance of wetlands forfor Bulgaria’s natural Bulgaria’s natural heritageheritage and and for a variety of other environmental services vital to for a variety of other environmental services vital to Bulgaria’s wealth. Bulgaria’s wealth.

- Training- Training for staff at the national and local levels in wetland for staff at the national and local levels in wetland restoration and management. restoration and management.

Major Projects and Major Projects and InitiativesInitiatives

IIIIII Green borders Project under the EU LIFE ProgramGreen borders Project under the EU LIFE Program - - Cross-border Cross-border project between Bulgaria, Romania and WWF for Protection of the habitats project between Bulgaria, Romania and WWF for Protection of the habitats

of endangered species of international importanceof endangered species of international importance such as:such as: Pelecanus Pelecanus

crispus,crispus, Pygmy Cormorant Pygmy Cormorant /Phalacrocorax pygmeus/ /Phalacrocorax pygmeus/ and Ferruginous and Ferruginous DuckDuck / Aythya nyroca /. Timetable 2009-2012. / Aythya nyroca /. Timetable 2009-2012.

PProtection and restoration of natural river flowsrotection and restoration of natural river flows in Bulgaria with in Bulgaria with the support of MAVA Switzerrland, DOEN Holland, DBU Germany the support of MAVA Switzerrland, DOEN Holland, DBU Germany and WWF. and WWF. The project aims to recover the old river beds and the natural The project aims to recover the old river beds and the natural river dynamics. Timetable 2006-2009river dynamics. Timetable 2006-2009

PProtection and restoration of riparian wetlands inrotection and restoration of riparian wetlands in Bulgaria, Bulgaria, Romania and UkraineRomania and Ukraine. The projects aims to make model recovery of the . The projects aims to make model recovery of the wetland zones in Bulgaria, Romania and Ukraine with the support DOEN wetland zones in Bulgaria, Romania and Ukraine with the support DOEN Holland, WWF Germany and Holland.Holland, WWF Germany and Holland.

PPromoting sustainable financing schemes and payments for romoting sustainable financing schemes and payments for ecosystem services in the Danube Basinecosystem services in the Danube Basin.. The The project aims to project aims to demonstrate the contribution of payments for ecosystem services in demonstrate the contribution of payments for ecosystem services in sustainable management of natural resources and nature conservationsustainable management of natural resources and nature conservation. . Timetable 2010-2013.Project partners- WWF Danube-Carpathian program Timetable 2010-2013.Project partners- WWF Danube-Carpathian program and the support of UNEP GEF and European Commission.and the support of UNEP GEF and European Commission.

Major Projects and Major Projects and InitiativesInitiatives

IVIV Making the network reality: NATURA 2000 and Lower Making the network reality: NATURA 2000 and Lower Danube Green Corridor.Danube Green Corridor. The project contributes to The project contributes to implementation of the European Union (EU) Habitats and Wild implementation of the European Union (EU) Habitats and Wild Birds Directives in Romania and Bulgaria by demonstrating Birds Directives in Romania and Bulgaria by demonstrating participatory management of Natura 2000 sites and related participatory management of Natura 2000 sites and related opportunities for socio-economic development of local opportunities for socio-economic development of local stakeholders, and feeding this experience into national-level policy stakeholders, and feeding this experience into national-level policy making and programming, especially for the mid-term evaluation making and programming, especially for the mid-term evaluation of rural development, fisheries and the EU Structural and Cohesion of rural development, fisheries and the EU Structural and Cohesion FundsFunds.. Lessons learned from the project are shared with relevant Lessons learned from the project are shared with relevant authorities and stakeholders at national level and across the authorities and stakeholders at national level and across the LDGC, including areas of Moldova and Ukraine.LDGC, including areas of Moldova and Ukraine.

On the way toOn the way to new banks and new banks and nature cnature conservation in the onservation in the Lower Danube Lower Danube in Romania and Bulgaria.in Romania and Bulgaria. The projects aims at The projects aims at protecting floodplains areas, restoration of damaged areas, protecting floodplains areas, restoration of damaged areas, expanding the protected area network, sustainable use of natural expanding the protected area network, sustainable use of natural resources. Timetable 2006 -2010.Project partners: Bulgaria, resources. Timetable 2006 -2010.Project partners: Bulgaria, Romania and WWF Germany.Romania and WWF Germany.

Final Conclusions and Final Conclusions and Results IResults I

Establishment of Strategy andEstablishment of Strategy and Action Plan for the Protection and Action Plan for the Protection and Restoration of Floodplain Forests on the Bulgarian Danube Islands. Restoration of Floodplain Forests on the Bulgarian Danube Islands. Under the GEF/World Bank Project wetlands and important Under the GEF/World Bank Project wetlands and important habitats have been restored within the territory of Persina Nature habitats have been restored within the territory of Persina Nature Park and Kalimok - Brashlian Protected Area with a total area Park and Kalimok - Brashlian Protected Area with a total area amounting to 3 100 ha.amounting to 3 100 ha.

Extension and strengthening of the protected areas network on Extension and strengthening of the protected areas network on the Danube islands.the Danube islands.

As an EU member state Bulgaria develops a national ecological As an EU member state Bulgaria develops a national ecological network of floodplain areas, a part of the European ecological network of floodplain areas, a part of the European ecological network NATURA 2000 - 47 protected areas along the river network NATURA 2000 - 47 protected areas along the river Danube /18 under the Birds Directive and 29 under the Habitats Danube /18 under the Birds Directive and 29 under the Habitats Directive/. The total protected area under NATURA 2000 amounts Directive/. The total protected area under NATURA 2000 amounts to 224, 140 ha.to 224, 140 ha.

9 new protected areas have been designated along the Danube with a total area amounting to 28 400 ha.with a total area amounting to 28 400 ha.

Final Conclusions and Results Final Conclusions and Results IIII

Development and implementation of management plans of Srebarna Nature Reserve, Persina Nature Park, Persina Nature Park, Protected Area Kalimok BrushlenProtected Area Kalimok Brushlen,, Rusenski Lom Nature ParkNature Park.

Enhancement of eco-culture and general awareness towards the significance of the eco-systems, biodiversity conservation, green economy and implementation of good practices in agriculture.

BBenefits:enefits:

Global levelGlobal level - - reduced transboundary pollution; biodiversity improvement; reduced transboundary pollution; biodiversity improvement; demonstration value.demonstration value.

Regional level - Regional level - cross-border cooperation; rcross-border cooperation; realization of different projects promoting the development of eco- and rural tourism / Bulgarian-Romanian Association of Ecotourism has been established/.Two Euroregions between Bulgaria and Romania have been established - Lower Danube /2001/ and Ruse-Giurgiu 21and third Euroregion Danube 21 Millennium /2002/ between Bulgaria, Romania and Serbia

Local levelLocal level - - reduced nutrient pollution;improvedreduced nutrient pollution;improved fish fish resourceresource;small ;small business related to bio-mass processing; fish processing; eco-tourism.business related to bio-mass processing; fish processing; eco-tourism.

Final Conclusions and Results Final Conclusions and Results IIIIII

Bulgaria has largely fulfilled its obligations under the Agreement LDGC outturn in the joint efforts of the governmental institutions and local authorities, non-governmental organizations, cross-border cooperation and the support of the international institutions and organizations

Our CommitmentOur Commitment

The Danube strategy – new window for opportunities for The Danube strategy – new window for opportunities for conservation and sustainable development of the natural conservation and sustainable development of the natural

recourses in the lower Danube!recourses in the lower Danube!

Thank you for Your attention!