Protected Areas in Species Conservation - the Protected Area Component Within the Frame of the Balkan Lynx Recovery Programme

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PROTECTED AREAS IN SPECIES CONSERVATION - THE PROTECTED AREA COMPONENT WITHIN THE FRAME OF THE BALKAN LYNX RECOVERY PROGRAMME

Gabriel SCHWADERER1, Annette SPANGENBERG1, Dime MELOVSKI2, Aleksandër TRAJÇE3 & Ferdinand BEGO4

1EURONATUR, Radolfzell, Germany; [email protected], [email protected] 2Macedonian Ecological Society, Skopje, Macedonia; [email protected] 3PPNEA, Tirana, Albania; [email protected] 4Albanian Society for the Protection of Birds and Mammals Tirana, Albania; [email protected]

ABSTRACT

Schwaderer G., Spangenberg A., Melovski D., Trajçe A. & Bego F.�� (2008��):�� Protected areas in species conservation - the protected area component within the frame of the Balkan lynx recovery programme. Proceedings of the III Congress of Ecologists of the Republic of Macedonia with International Participation, 06-09.10.2007, Stru- ga. Special issues of Macedonian Ecological Society, Vol. 8, Skopje. Protected areas can play an important role in species conservation. Therefore, the Balkan Lynx Recovery Programme, jointly implemented by EURONATUR and KORA as international partners and the NGOs PPNEA and MES as the main national partners, does not only focus on generating more and new information about the Bal- kan Lynx (Lynx lynx martinoi), its distribution and population status, but also includes measures for the designation of new transboundary protected areas as well as the development of sustainable land use schemes in and out- side protected areas. The paper puts the contents of the protected area component within the Balkan Lynx Recovery Programme in an international context by highlighting its importance within the European Green Belt, respectively the Balkan Green Belt initiative as well as depicting its role within the Balkan Lynx Recovery Programme itself. Subsequently, the objectives and actions of the protected area component and the reasons for the selection of the project sites – namely the Jablanica-Shebenik mountain range between Albania and Macedonia, the Albanian Alps in northern Albania close to border of Montenegro, the Shar Planina-Korab mountain range at the border triangle of Macedonia, Albania and Kosovo as well as Illinska-Paklenska corridor in Macedonia - are presented.

Introduction Selection of the sites – the process

Objective of the protected area component The selection of the sites was based upon the within the course of the Balkan Lynx Recovery Pro- following different criteria: gramme is to secure the survival of the remnant lynx (Potential) Habitat of the Balkan Lynx population within a series of protected areas where Located in border region to be part of the Eu- nature conservation has priority over any other land ropean/Balkan Green Belt1 use. For this purpose, five areas were chosen as proj- Reference to the site in respective national ect sites, namely: strategies for the protection of biodiversity Jablanica-Shebenik mountain range (Alba- Reference to the site in international strate- nia/Macedonia) 1 The Balkan Green Belt is part of the Green Belt ini- Šar Planina (MK) and the adjacent Korabi tiative launched by IUCN (International Union for Conservation Mountain (AL) of Nature) and German Federal Agency for Nature Conservation Albanian Alps (AL) (BfN), which is supported by Bund Naturschutz, Euronatur and Illinska-Plakenska mountain range (MK). other NGO and GO partners. Aim of the Green Belt initiative is to transform the former Iron Curtain running from the Barents to the Black Sea into an ecological network contributing to Eu- rope’s global commitments to halting biodiversity loss by 2010. The Balkan Green Belt forms the southernmost part of the Euro- pean Green Belt.

265 Gabriel SCHWADERER et al. gies for the protection of biodiversity. Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan of the Consequently, the following studies and strat- Republic of Macedonia, Skopje 2004 and Biodiver- egies, being the most significant and widely accept- sity Strategy and Action Plan of the Republic of Al- ed documents concerning future conservation ac- bania, Tirana 1999 with the corresponding maps tions in Albania, Macedonia and adjacent countries Strategic Plan for the IUCN South-Eastern were viewed and analysed: European Programme (Schneider-Jacoby 2004). ELOIS Data and Maps (von Arx et al 2004) Table 1 summarizes the different arguments on the distribution of the Balkan Lynx in the South- and pieces of information gathered and analysed Western Balkans during the determination process. Map of (intended) Green Belt Areas, Mace- Applying the above mentioned criteria, a donia number of areas became apparent as potential proj- Tab. 1. Arguments and information gathered and analysed during the determination process.

Jablanica - Shebenik (AL/MK)

Biodiversity Strategy Green Belt Biodiversity Strategy and ELOIS Remarks and Action Plan MK Macedonia Map Action Plan AL Jablanica: Single Jablanica: Declaration Jablanica Area Shebenik: already partly status Although Jablanica is observations of Jablanica National indicated as part as protected area (Rajca as mentioned as 2nd priority in the of BLx, not Park intended for 2006 of the Green Belt Scientific Reserve/Strict Nature Macedonian Biodiversity and confirmed ->; 2nd priority2 Macedonia Reserve, and part of Qarrishta Action Plan only, it became Shebenik: Area as Managed Nature Reserve); project area within the frame of constantly additionally proposed to be the BfN Project due to the fact occupied by BLx extended, including Stebleva that it had long been identified and Fushe Stude and be part as important area for lynx and of “Proposed Representative that works could be started Network of Protected easily as the political situation Area”; in this context also as both in Macedonia and Albania transboundary protected area allow action. Shar Planina – Korabi Mt. (MK/AL)

Biodiversity Strategy Green Belt Biodiversity Strategy and ELOIS Remarks and Action Plan MK Macedonia Map Action Plan AL

Border triangle Proclamation of Shar Shar Planina not Gjalica-Lumës-Korabi Fact finding mission to indicated as Planina National indicated as Green Area not yet protected, but evaluate whether Kosovo area constantly Park 2004 – 2006; 1st Belt Area, but mentioned as part of “Proposed offers habitat for BLx at all and occupied by BLx priority2 Korab Mt. adjacent Representative Network whether the basic conditions Main occurrence in the south of Protected Area”; Status for successful work (e.g. in Shar Planina proposed Landscape PA; in this reliable partners, sufficient (MK)/ Korab Area context also as transboundary political stability and support, (AL) protected area existent legal framework) are given Albanian Alps (AL)

ELOIS Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan AL Remarks Albania: Area constantly occupied by BLx Area already partly protected as National Fact Finding Mission to evaluate whether Montenegro: single observations not yet Park (Thethi and Valbona), Strict Nature Montenegro offers habitat for BLx at confirmed Reserve (Lumi i Gashit, and Livadhi i all and whether the basic conditions for Harushes); additionally mentioned as part successful work (e.g. reliable partners, of “Proposed Representative Network of sufficient political stability and support, Protected Area” (in larger extent); in this existent legal framework) are given context also as Transboundary Protected Area Illinska-Paklenska (MK) Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan ELOIS Remarks MK Single observations not yet confirmed; parts Not mentioned explictely, but “Establish According to results of previous works of corridor are indicated as area constantly bio-corridors among protected area” listed of the University of Skopje, Faculty occupied by BLx as general activity (2nd priority2) with the of Natural Science and Mathematics, Illinska-Paklenska corridor connects output to improve connection between Institute of Biology (unpublished) the different areas with BLx occurence protected areas mountain range of Illinska-Paklenska (Mavrovo NP; Galicica NP and Pelister NP) forms one of the most important biocorridors in Macedonia.

2. Priorities as defined in Biodiversity Action Plan and Strategy: For each particular activity, verifiable achievements and outputs are listed. The relative priority for each particular activity on a three-point scale is given.

266 Зборник на трудови од III Конгрес на еколозите од Македонија Protected areas in species conservation - the protected area component within the frame of the... ect sites. Main reason for the selection of the above areas as national protected area with a future per- mentioned sites though was that these areas – ac- spective to become transboundary protected area. In cording to current information - are proven to be addition, on the Macedonian side, a socio-econom- lynx range and, at the same time, exposed to severe ic assessment will be prepared and a working group human impact caused by inadequate forms of land established, involving the most important stakehold- use such as intensive logging. Therefore, urgent ac- ers from the communities within the future protected tions need to be taken in order to guarantee the sur- area. On one hand, this will create future acceptance vival of the remnant lynx population in these areas. for the protected area and the use restrictions asso- Due to the fact that the areas are mentioned ciated, on the other hand, this serves to prepare pilot both in national and international strategies for the projects for sustainable regional development as de- conservation of biodiversity, political support for scribed further below. conservation actions in these areas is given. In ad- In order to ensure local support on the Alba- dition, all areas apart from Illinska-Plakenska (MK) nian side, round table meetings with local stakehold- are part of the European Green Belt which will put ers such as the head of communes will take place. the measures undertaken in an international context. Again, these meetings will also serve to gain an im- Initial objective within the protected ar- pression of the needs and wishes of the local popula- ea component of the Balkan Lynx Recovery Pro- tion. This will help to design and implement the pi- gramme was the preparation of the designation of lot projects for sustainable development. the areas as protected areas, including the compi- lation of the technical documents which are to be Šar Planina (MK) handed in at the respective ministries in Albania and Macedonia. Within the course of the project though Shar Planina Mt. is the largest mountain this objective was altered, depending on the current range, both in length and height, in Macedonia. Its situation and circumstances in the particular area. crest stretches along Macedonian and Kosovo pro- Still, long term goal is the designation of the areas as tectorate border. The whole crest is about 90 km in protected areas. Therefore, the activities implement- length, out of which about 85 km are above 2000 m ed serve as preparatory phase. elevation without interruption. The geology is very In addition to preparing the designation of complex, geomorphology extremely diverse and further protected areas, model projects for sustain- biodiversity very rich. Due to the fact that it is the able regional development will be implemented. For most important part for boreal and alpine elements this task, Jablanica-Shebenik was chosen, as here, (spruce forests, glacial lakes, alpine pastures and the field works as well as all preparatory works are rocky vegetation) it is very important for Macedo- most advanced. nian overall biodiversity. In the following, the main features of each ar- The Kosovo part of Shar Planina is already ea as well as the main target to be achieved within protected as National Park „Shar Planina“. Having the course of the project are shortly described. in mind the great natural and cultural values of Shar Planina area, the Ministry of Environment and Phys- Jablanica-Shebenik (AL/MK) ical Planning submitted a proposal to the Macedo- nian Government for establishment of national park Jablanica-Shebenik mountain range is located on the Macedonian side in 1999. Unfortunately, the in the border area of Albania and Macedonia, north proposal was rejected by the Parliament after nega- of Lake Ohrid. For Jablanica-Shebenik, the techni- tive results of the short and unelaborated public par- cal documents needed for the designation of the ar- ticipation process. ea as protected areas (target category: national park) Proclamation of Shar Planina as protected were already prepared within the frame of the previ- area is important since it is classified as Important ously conducted project “Balkan Green Belt as eco- Plant Area (IPA) and Important Bird Area (IBA). logical corridor for Wolf, Bear and Lynx” which was In addition, it is an important habitat of large carni- financially supported by the German Federal Agen- vores like Balkan lynx and Brown bear. cy for Nature Conservation (BfN). Both for the Al- Due to the yet unsolved future of Kosovo, banian side of the project area (Shebenik) as well as working towards a trilateral transboundary protect- for the Macedonian side (Jablanica), reports, included area (including parts of Šar Planina Mountain in ing a description of the respective area, existent flo- Macedonia and Kosovo, extending towards Korabi ra and fauna species as well as a zonation proposal Mt. in Albania – see below) as it had been foreseen were prepared and handed in at the Ministry of Envi- previously is currently not possible. Therefore, main ronment in Albania and Macedonia, respectively. goals of this activity on the Macedonian side will Objective of the follow-up activities imple- not be the preparation of designating the Macedo- mented within the frame of the Balkan Lynx Proj- nian part of the mountain range as protected area, ect is to foster the process of final designation of the but rather

Proceedings of the III Congress of Ecologists of Macedonia 267 Gabriel SCHWADERER et al.

- to amend the past activities for the estab- compile the technical documents needed for submit- lishment of a national park on Šar Plani- ting a proposal for designation of the Albanian Alps na Mountain and as protected area to the Ministry of Environment, - to inform the local population of the Forest and Water Administration. need of establishing a protected area in the mountain range and the possible ben- Illinska-Plakenska (MK) efits. This will create the future - accep tance of any initiative towards the desig- Illinska-Plakenska mountain range is located nation of the area as protected. in south eastern Macedonia and forms a corridor be- In addition, a comprehensive documenta- tween Mavrovo National Park in the north and Pelis- tion on the natural values of Šar Planina will be pro- ter and Galichica National Parks in the south. Con- duced which can be used for the preparation of the sequently, it connects the northern and the southern technical documents for the protected area designa- part of the “Macedonian Green Belt”. tion. At the same time, these findings will also serve Due to its location between several national as base for the preparation of a booklet and a tour- parks which have indication to be lynx habitat and ist map about mountain paths on Šar Planina moun- its great importance as migration corridor for large tain which will be used for promotional activities of carnivores, it plays an important role as ecological the area. corridor – a feature which has not yet paid much at- tention to in Macedonia. Korabi Mountain (AL) The area of Illinska-Plakenska Mt. is still well preserved and human pressure is low until now. Geographically, Šar Planina Mountain range However, local plans for development of the region, does not extend into Albania; the adjacent moun- esp. in regard to road networks could alter the main tain range on the Albanian side is Korabi Mountain. meaning of the area as biocorridor. Strategically, the Korabi area is very important as it Therefore, main goals are forms a corridor to the Mavrovro National Park in - to evaluate the natural characteristics Macedonia and was therefore included in the proj- of Illinska-Plakenska corridor ect. - to submit a proposal for proclamation Korabi Mountain is, due to heavy overuse of a protected area with the main ser- of the forest areas, strongly degraded and does not vice as biocorridor yet fulfil the requirements to become a protected ar- - to raise local and national awareness ea. Only very few parts bear at all potential for for- for the significance of ecological net- est regeneration which is urgently needed to prevent works and biocorridors further damage. It was therefore decided to work in - to disseminate information about pos- the area, as designation of the area as protected area sible benefits arising from the procla- will form a better basis for implementing regenerat- mation and existence of a protected ar- ing activities in parts of the Korabi Mountains in the ea. future. Objective for such activities will be natural At the end of the project, a proposal will be forest regeneration rather than regeneration through elaborated according to the provisions of the Law on reforestation. A future approach (not to be initiated Nature Protection (Official Gazette of RM, 67/04). within the current project) could be that certain parts The proposal will be presented the main stakehold- of the mountain range are taken out of use (no use ers in Illinska-Plakenska area; after improvement of zone), while other areas are being used in a rotating the document, it will be submitted to the Ministry of system which allows timely restricted use. In order Environment and Physical Planning. to compensate villagers for additional effort and potential financial loss, they are being compensated. Establishment of model projects for sustainable land use Albanian Alps (AL) In order to be able to successfully implement The Albanian Alps in northern Albania are this approach, the area chosen has to be carefully as- a comparably spacious area which is in some parts sessed in regard to its different values and potential hard to access. In addition, geological and geo-mor- low-impact development possibilities. The compre- phological diversity results in high diversity in land- hensive field appraisals and the public involvement scape and, consequently, biodiversity. Therefore, it as foreseen for the preparation of the declaration of will be difficult to compile both the biodiversity as- protected areas will form the basis for these sug- sessment as well as the socio-economic study as de- gestions. Still, additional field work will have to be tailed as for the Shebenik area within the time avail- conducted and participatory meetings with the local able. Nevertheless, enough data will be collected to people are to be held to meet their needs.

268 Зборник на трудови од III Конгрес на еколозите од Македонија Protected areas in species conservation - the protected area component within the frame of the...

The social and economic effects which could create economic incentives for the local population result from the establishment of a protected area are living in such areas through initiating model proj- of particular interest and concern to residents, busi- ects. nesses and local groups in the proposed area and For the implementation of this task, Jablani- the nearby communities. The designation of pro- ca-Shebenik area was chosen as due to (i) the project tected areas imposes significant social and econom- previously conducted (see above), and (ii) the pro- ic (both direct and opportunity) costs. For instance, cess of protected area designation is most advanced without adequate provision for alternative means of in this area. As already mentioned above, the so- work and income, the designation of protected areas cio-economic assessment and the establishment of may have adverse effects on the food security and a “Jablancia Working Group” in Macedonia as well livelihoods of people living in and around protect- as the conduction of round table meetings in Alba- ed areas. This could happen due to the restrictions in nia are implemented to form the basis for future pi- the use of common property resources for food gath- lot projects. ering, harvest of medicinal plans, grazing, fishing, hunting, collection of wood and other products from References forests and wetlands, crop damage caused by protected wildlife, or because of opportunity costs relat- Schneider-Jacoby, M. 2004. Conservation without ed to restricted access to resources, etc. On the oth- Frontiers - Towards a new Image for the Bal- er hand, local communities potentially derive a num- kans: a Strategic Plan for the IUCN South- ber of benefits from protected areas, such as local Eastern European Programme. Euronatur: employment, stimulation of rural enterprise through 1-26. Brussels. ecotourism and other forms of alternative tourism, von Arx, M., Breitenmoser-Würsten, Ch., Zimmer- public investments (governments, donors, access to mann, F. and Breitenmoser, U. (2004). Status development funds), revenue-sharing policies, etc. and conservation of the Eurasian lynx (Lynx In order to provide for the long-term viability lynx) in Europe. KORA Bericht No. 19, 330 of the protected areas, socio-economic effects need pp. (ELOIS project, see www.kora.ch/en/ to be considered during the process of identification proj/elois/online/index.html). and designation of the protected area. This will also National Environmental Agency, 1999. Biodiversity rise the acceptance of the protected area by locals. Strategy and Action Plan-Albania. (Prepared Objective of this task is to initiate a sustain- in the framework of GEF-Biodiversity Enab- able management of the multi-use landscape which ling Activity. First Phase). will become part of the future protected areas and to

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