Alt Pirineu Natural Park an Opportunity for Sustainable Tourism

Alt Pirineu Natural Park an opportunity for sustainable tourism

Marc Garriga Lujan– Forestry Engineer (Rural Development Area) 1. The Catalan network of protected areas 2. Alt Pirineu Natural Park 3. Towards a sustainable tourism in Alt Pirineu 1. The Catalan network of protected areas 1. The Catalan network of protected areas

Special Protection Areas -1 National Park -13 Natural Parks - Natural Monuments - Natural and Marine Reserves 300.535 ha (9,4% of Catalonia)

EU Natura 2000 network (30% of Catalonia) 1. The catalan network of protected areas 1. The catalan network of protected areas Main protected areas in Catalan Pyrenees (Lleida province)

(1955)

(2003)

(1983) 2. Alt Pirineu Natural Park

2. Alt Pirineu Natural Park

• Area: 69.850 ha (largest Park in Catalonia) • Creation: 2003 • 2 small Natural Reserves • 15 municipalities in 2 counties 2. Alt Pirineu Natural Park Municipalities in Alt Pirineu Natural Park

Pallars Sobirà County • Alins • Alt Àneu • Esterri d’Àneu • Esterri de Cardós • Farrera • Lladorre • Llavorsí • La Guingueta d’Àneu • Rialp • Soriguera • Sort • Tírvia • Vall de Cardós Alt Urgell County •Les Valls de Valira •Montferrer i Castellbò Property map The transboundary dimension: a future Three-Nations Natural Park in the Pyrenees? 2. El Parc Natural de l’Alt Pirineu

Objective of the Natural Park

To make natural and cultural heritage conservation compatible with economic development and the maintenance of traditional activities Pica d’Estats (3.143 m) Certascan lake Near 150 glacial lakes About 150 glacial lakes

2. Alt Pirineu Natural Park

Park Management

Administration Body

Natural Park Authority

Regional Administration Local Administration Local Stakeholders (Generalitat) (Town Councils) 2. Alt Pirineu Natural Park

Management Body

Park Park Manager DAAM Authority

Natural & Cultural Tourism & Rural Administration Heritage Public Use Development 3. Towards a sustainable tourism in Alt Pirineu

3. Towards a sustainable tourism in Alt Pirineu 3. Towards a sustainable tourism in Alt Pirineu Tourism in Alt Pirineu Natural Park: the 2003 situation

• Rafting & river sports declining • Winter snow sports very focused • Illegal activities (e.g. 4x4 off-road)

A mature destination in crisis? 3. Towards a sustainable tourism in Alt Pirineu What can be done by Alt Pirineu Natural Park?

1) Conservation of the natural resources 2) Promote a sustainable use of these resources

Not to change the present tourist offer, but to complement it in an environmental-friendly way 3. Towards a sustainable tourism in Alt Pirineu What are we doing now? 1) Planning • Hiking Plan: more than 600 km of marked hiking trails conceived as a network and based on towns • Road Use Plan: establish Park regulations for visitor safety and wildlife conservation • Regulate Park activities: hiking, wildlife watching, fishing, bicycling, picnicking, snowshoeing... 3. Towards a sustainable tourism in Alt Pirineu What are we doing now?

2) Creating an organised tourist offer • Visitor Centers (2 in progress) and Information Points (8) • Tourist infrastructure: trails, parkings, viewpoints, hides • Activities programme for visitors (environmental education) • Publications: books, maps, leaflets • Working with existing local tourist initiatives (e.g. Ara Lleida, Ecomuseu Valls d’Àneu, Nature and Art Center, Tavascan Water Center) • Supporting singular events (Cuita el Sol)

Plan viewpoints

• Viewpoint of Pica d’Estats (Àreu)

• Viewpoints of Conflent and coll d’Ares

Support for crafts and local produce Os de Civís – visitor center Permanent exhibition on the land border The bear house (Isil) i bear trails in Valls d’Àneu

Project launched by an NGO (Accionatura) with support from Park and government 3. Towards a sustainable tourism in Alt Pirineu What is lacking? Next steps

• Complete the Visitor Centers network (5) • Promote the Park outside its boundaries • Establish agreements with regional tourism bodies • Work in partnership with the local tourism businesses • Link farming products with tourist sector • Increase awareness of the Park 3. Towards a sustainable tourism in Alt Pirineu

Final goal: the EUROPARC’s European Charter for Sustainable Tourism in Protected Areas

• Promoted by EUROPARC Federation • Present situation in Catalonia: two parks certified • Target: to implement the charter in Alt Pirineu Natural Park for 2012 www.european-charter.org Thank you for your attention We wait you at Alt Pirineu Natural Park!