SUSTAINABLE TOURISM IN DANUBE DELTA BIOSPHERE RESERVE. Life with respect for nature!

Transcription

1 SUSTAINABLE TOURISM IN DANUBE DELTA BIOSPHERE RESERVE Life with respect for nature!

2 Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve The fundamental changes that took place in the Romanian society, after 1989, have lead to the value reevaluation of the Danube Delta, the scientific interest for protecting this area was prioritary over the economic interest. Danube Delta was declared a biosphere reserve in 1990 by the Government of Romania and by the Romanian Parliament through Law 82/1993. Single delta of the whole world, entirely declared a biosphere reserve One of the worldwide largest wetland, especially a waterfowl habitat The greatest reedbed expanses worldwide

3 General presentation of DDBR Surface: 580,000 ha - (2,5 % of Romania s surface) - The 22 nd delta in the world and the 2 rd delta in Europe (after Volga) The Danube Delta is the greatest protected natural area on the European continent, the best preserved wetland region of Europe. The fact that is declared a Biosphere Reserve in 1990 is an acknowledgement of the equal attention paid both to locals and their traditional way of living, based on the resources from the area, their cultural heritage of the various ethnic groups, as well as to the and the conservation

4 Danube Delta one of the most representative wetlands of Europe By its size, the Danube Delta is the most important wetland area in the South-Eastern Europe, having an important contribution to the regional and global water cycle. Danube Delta is one of the most important tourist regions of Romania, through the originality of its landscape (relief, water, vegetation, fauna, population and human settlements). It is an unique place where the people are living in isolated settlements spread in the area, depending on the natural resources.

5 Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve The international recognition: The universal value of the reserve was recognized by the Man and Biosphere (MAB) Programme of UNESCO in 1990, through its inclusion in the international network of biosphere reserves The DDBR is listed as a wetland of international importance especially as waterfowl habitat under the Ramsar Convention (1991) Inclusion of the strictly protected areas in the World Heritage List under the World Cultural and Natural Heritage Convention (1990).

6 Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve The European value: Council of Europe Awards: 2000, European Diploma for protected area renewed in 2005 and 2010 EUROSITE Awards: for restoration works for management and public awareness EUROPARC member Natura 2000 Site (SPA and SCI)

7 Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve World Wetland Network Blue Globe Award 2010 For best practice in wetland management Nagoya, JAPAN The QualityCoast GOLD Award 2011 For excellence in Nature and Identity May 2011, Kouklia, Cyprus A great recognition for Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve, a beautiful area rich in nature, biodiversity and cultural heritage.

8 Did you know? Danube Delta has a surface of 4,178 km 2 and it lays on the territory of two countries 82% from delta s surface in on Romania s territory and the rest is in Ukraine. Danube Delta is the second delta as extent from Europe Volga Delta is on the first position. Danube Delta is the 22nd delta as extent on the globe The first five positions are occupied by Amazon, Gange Brahmaputra, Iantî, Mekong and Mississippi. Danube Delta is on the third place in the world as scientific importance concerning the biological diversity. With over 7,400 species of flora and fauna identified here, the delta is on the third place, after the Coral Reef (Australia) and the Galapagos Archipelago (Ecuador).

9 DDBR BIODIVERSITY Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve, is one of the largest delta in Europe, including one of the most unspoilt wetlands on the continent. Hosting an amazing range of habitats and life forms, in a relatively small area, is a real museum of biodiversity, a natural genetic bank with incalculable value for the worldwide natural heritage. 30 types of ecosystems of which 23 are natural More than 7400 flora and fauna species, of which flora species fauna species

10 DANUBE DELTA BIOSPHERE RESERVE Paradise of Birds Most of the European population of White Pelican (Pelecanus onocrotalus) Dalmatian Pelican (Pelecanus crispus); and 60% from world population of Pygmy Cormorant (Phalacrocorax pygmaeus) 50% from world population of Red- breasted Goose (Branta ruficollis), during winter season

11 Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve Birdwatchers paradise Birds offer to the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve the world wide known fame. Out of 341 species there are estimated: -Nesting birds: 171 species -Migratory or partial migratory birds: 284 species - 12 Species of birds declared monuments of nature : Shelduck (Tadorna tadorna), Ruddy Shelduck (Tadorna ferugineea), Raven (Corvus corax ), White Pelican (Pelecanus onocrotalus), Dalmatian Pelican (Pelecanus crispus), Great Bustard (Otis tarda), Black Winged Stilt (Himantopus himantopus), Spoonbill (Platalea leucorodia), Great White Egret (Egretta alba), Little Egret (Egretta garzetta)

12 PELICANS are undoubtedly some of the most emblematic bird species on Earth. Their large size with cm wing span and kg in weight, In Romania they became a symbol for the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve and an objective for all those that chose the delta for tourism. Romania is one of the few European countries were both European pelican species can be seen: The Great White Pelican (Pelecanus onocrotalus) and the Dalmatian Pelican (Pelecanus crispus). If the first one s breeding population in the Delta can reach breeding pairs, the Dalmation Pelican reaches only up to breeding pairs in all the colonies found in Danube Delta.

13 LETEA FOREST A LUXURIANT NATURAL ECOSISTEM IN DDBR Letea Forest is located in the north part of the Danube, East of village C.A. Rossetti. Strictly protected area comprises only part of the total forest area, (2.825 ha) and has been under protection since Forest developed among sand dunes and m wide strips, is composed mainly of Oak, Gray Oak, White Poplar, Swamp Ash, White Lime Tree, Elm. A characteristic of this area is the abundance of climbing plants (Periploca graeca, Hedera helix, Vitis silvestris, Clematis vitalba) which give a subtropical aspect to the forest.

14 THE FISH FAUNA from the DDBR is remarkably rich, with 135 species. The majority is fresh water fishes, but there are also marine species that come into the Danube Delta and on the Danube course during the reproduction season. Approximately a third of these species were and still are subject to commercial fishing, including the sturgeons (since 2006 there is a 10 year prohibition) and the Pontic Shad (Alosa pontica).

15 DDBR People and nature Rural settlements: 24 (65,6 % inhabitants) Urban settlements: 1 (Sulina) (34,4 % inhabitants) Population: inhabitants (2011 census) About 14 ethnic groups: Romanians, Lipovans, Ukrainians, Greeks, Turks, Hungarians, other nationalities

16 CHILIA VECHE PERIPRAVA 240 CEATALCHIOI 412 SALCENI 105 PLAURU 89 PARDINA 682 LETEA 362 C.A.ROSETTI 225 SFIȘTOFCA 110 Isaccea PATLAGEANCA 227 TUDOR VLADIMIRESCU 385 S i ILGANII DE SUS 53 PARTIZANI 364 ILGANII DE JOS 167 BALTENII DE SUS 37 MALIUC 236 VULTURU 45 MILA GORGOVA 142 BALTENII DE JOS 82 CRISAN 470 CARDON 16 SULINA UZLINA 4 CARAORMAN 320 SETTLEMENTS / POPULATION TOTAL: 12,638 inhabitants (2011 census - 24 villages, 1 town) SF.GHEORGHE 860

17 DDBR- Home for People and Nature Traditional activities: fishing and pisciculture agriculture navigation and transport cattle breeding beekeeping tourism

18 DDBR- Home for People and Nature

19

20 DDBR- Home for People and Nature Traditional fishing

21 DDBR- Home for People and Nature

22 TOURISTIC POTENTIAL OF DANUBE DELTA BIOSPHERE RESERVE Landscape components (more than 470 lakes, channels, forests, sand dunes, beaches, etc. ) Biodiversity (30 types of ecosystems, More than 7400 flora and fauna species) Natural resources Climate (Continental-temperate: C, Annual sunshine: 2,300-2,400 hours/ year, Annual rainfall: mm) Culture and history (archaeological traces, Ethnography and folklore) Human settlements (Rural settlements: 25, urban settlements: 1 (Sulina), Ethnical structure: about 14 nationalities )

23 SPECIFIC TOURISM PROGRAMMES IN DANUBE DELTA LEISURE TOURS one day trip in large groups (60-80 persons), with modern transport ships, or in smaller groups (6-8 persons), with small ships ITINERANT DISCOVERY TOURISM Visitors who want to spend more time in the Danube Delta can also choose between itinerary trips of 6-12 days, on modern and comfortable floating hotels, and stationary holidays, with accommodation in hotels and pensions from villages or resorts in the Danube Delta. SPECIALIZED TRIPS AND SCIENTIFIC TOURISM (E.G. ORNITHOLOGISTS, SPECIALISTS, RESEARCHERS, STUDENTS)

24 RURAL TOURISM Tourists are hosted in local people houses or pensions, who offers them full board and guided by them on trips with small boats. BALNEARY TOURISM (HELIO-MARINE CURE ON THE BEACHES OF SULINA, ST. GHEORGHE) SPECIAL YOUTH PROGRAMS (for discovery, understanding and appreciation of nature); SPORT FISHING EXPLORING THE DELTA ON KAYCS VISITING LOCALITIES, TRADITIONAL MEALS, etc.

25

26 TOURISM FACILITIES IN DANUBE DELTA ACCOMMODATIONalmost 5000 places -Hotels -Floating hotels -Small houses -Small hotels -Rural pensions -Bungalows, villas -Camping - Camps for children

27 TOURIST ROUTES IN THE DANUBE DELTA BIOSPHERE RESERVE Once declared a biosphere reserve, the Reserve Authority established its own rules for carrying out tourism activities, in order to protect the natural heritage. For this purpose, 24 tourist routes have been established within the reserve: - 15 routes only by naval transportation - 9 trails that can be done by hiking or road transport (hiking trails). Boat routes start from the main entry points in reserve: Tulcea, Murighiol, Jurilovca or from the localities situated in the reserve: Chilia Veche, Crişan, Sulina, St. Gheorghe. Hiking trails start from Tulcea, Murighiol, Uzlina, Sulina, Sf. Gheorghe, Chilia Veche.

28 Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve Authority (DDBRA) DDBRA is a public institution established, in 1990, to administrate the natural heritage of national interest of Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve. DDBRA is subordinated to the Romanian Ministry of Environment, Waters and Forestry and it is led by a Governor (assimilated to Undersecretary of State). Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve Authority promotes development of ecotourism because it generates benefits both to natural heritage (management of protected area, promote sustainable tourism principles) and to local communities (alternative source of income). DDBRA coordinates the management of the Biosphere Reserve area through three main objectives: Conservation and protection of the existing natural heritage Encouragement of sustainable use of the natural resources Provision of support, based on the results of research, for management, education, training and services.

29 DANUBE DELTA BIOSPHERE RESERVE AUTHORITY RESPONSABILITIES ON TOURISM It organize and controls the tourist activities on the Danube Delta territory according to the Biosphere Reserve types of areas (strictly protected, buffer and economic areas) and the management objectives: Identifies and approves the tourists routes Identifies and approves the areas for angling Establishes regulations and visiting codes for DDBR visitors and tourists Establishes regulations and authorizes the tourism activities and business on the DDBR territory Coordinates the programmes for Ecological Education and Information through its Visitor and Information Centres (5 Centres for now) Facilitates the tourists activities through the civil works for chanells dredging and ecological restoration Provides information and facilitates the tourist activities through information materials, guides, maps, birdwatching towers or visiting paths

30 MARKETING PROMOTION ACTIVITIES In order to achieve the protection of biodiversity and sustainable development in the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve, Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve Authority has included measures to promote DDBR, its natural and cultural values for Romanian and foreign visitors, resulting in actions such as: developing new promotional materials and presentation DDBR respectively guide, flyers, visitor code, CD presentation; update the database with information on tourism potential DDBR; cooperation with tourism companies with business in DDBR to conduct a tourism awareness and environmental education; panels indicating strictly protected areas in the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve; Delta promotion in several important international tourism fairs and exhibitions: Vienna, Stuttgart, London, Munich and Berlin, where Delta is promoted by associations like Friends of Nature International and Friends of Nature Romania, the Association of Ecotourism in Romania, County Council Tulcea, GTZ, etc. as a sustainable tourism destination.

31

32

33 Activity - Implementing quality: Carrying capacities for visitor management

34 Within the DANUBEPARKS STEP2.0 Project, as a pilot, DDBRA and the partner Landkreis Neuburg Schrobenhausen, assessed their carrying capacities and integrate their gained know-how into a joint transferrable CARRYING CAPACITY TOOL. A databank with open access to all DANUBEPARK-Members and will lead to a first approach to estimate how many visitors one park is able to compensate without endangering its species and its visitor attraction. This monitoring system is unique for every Protected Area since they differ from one to another, from the Upper and Middle Danube to the Lower Danube Region. Based on the carrying capacity study, a partnership between the Protected Area, local authorities and tourism stakeholders must be developed, including the coordination of visitors flows and therefore of the distribution of visitor pressure on natural habitats.

35 DANUBEPARKS Network Winner of the Natura 2000 Award 2015! In the frame of the big ceremony at the European Commission headquarter, on 21st May, Commissioner Mr. Karmenu Vella handed over the trophy to DANUBEPARKS for the outstanding achievements for cross-border networking and cooperation for Natura 2000 European Network in the last year. DANUBEPARKS The Danube River Network of Protected Areas is the best practice project for the active cooperation of Protected Areas and the fruitful and inspiring working together of people from numerous countries, were the argumentation and appreciation by the expert jury.

36 DDBRA actively involved in EUSDR The EU Strategy for the Danube Region (EUSDR) represents a platform to facilitate partnerships, both between local and regional authorities and between authorities, the private sector and NGOs by generating projects for the development of the Danube region. The EUSDR represents a financial opportunity for projects, the European funds for the period and other grants may be attracted by the local and governmental public institutions, economic agents, NGOs, central and local budgets etc. in order to support the sustainable development of the Danube Delta on a medium and long term.

37 CONTACT Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve Authority 34 A Str. Portului RO TULCEA ROMANIA Phone: Fax: arbdd@ddbra.ro

38 THANK VERY MUCH YOU FOR ATTENTION! Photos from: Daniel Petrescu, Alina Codreanu, Cristian Mititelu.