Protected areas in Central and SE Europe International categories Pierre Galland Consultant June 2004 Protected areas International categories ¾ IUCN categories ¾ UNESCO World Heritage sites ¾ UNESCO Biosphere Reserves ¾ RAMSAR Sites ¾ WWF – PAN Parks ¾ European Diploma ¾ Natura 2000 … and others ! World Park Congress Every 10 years - 1993: Caracas 2003: Durban Trends: ¾ 80’s – 90’s: Increase coverage of PAs ¾ Since mid-90s: management efficiency – certification – training of staff ¾ Public participation & integration in regional context Outputs of the WPC: ¾ Durban accord + action plan ¾ Recommendations ¾ Emerging issues ¾ Message to the CBD UNEP/CBD: Protected Areas Programme of Work IUCNIUCN ProgrammeProgramme onon ProtectedProtected AreasAreas ¾ At the heart of the Global Protected Area movement ¾ Small team at the world headquarters ¾ A number of specialists in Regional Offices TheThe WorldWorld CommissionCommission onon ProtectedProtected AreasAreas (WCPA)(WCPA) ¾The world's leading global network of protected area specialists ¾ More than 1000 experts ¾ From over 140 countries The World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA) The WCPA mission is: "To promote the establishment and effective management of a world-wide representative network of terrestrial and marine protected areas, as an integral contribution to the IUCN mission." WCPA Europe Parks for Life: Actions for Protected Areas in Europe (IUCN – WCPA, 1994) Implementation: Park for Life coordination, Slovenia IUCN Management Categories Categories I: Strict Nature Reserve / Wilderness Area II: National Park III: Natural Monument IV: Habitat / Species management V: Protected Landscape / Seascape VI: Managed Resource Protected Area IUCN System ¾ Unified system applied worldwide ¾ Categorisation by primary management objective ¾ Independant from names; national names may vary ¾ Can be used everywhere; countries adapt the system and use their own names ¾ Considers the management objectives, but NOT the actual management effectiveness ¾ All categories are important – specific role, but imply gradation of human intervention Category I: Strict Nature Reserve Ia: Scientific reserve Protected area managed mainly for science ¾ Preservation of undisturbed habitats, ecosystems and species ¾ Maintain genetic resources and natural ecological processes ¾ Limit public access Category I: Strict Nature Reserve Ib: Wilderness Area Managed mainly for wilderness protection ¾ Ensure maintenance of undisturbed areas for future generations ¾ Provide public access at level that maintain the wilderness qualities Category II: National Parks Managed mainly for ecosystem protection and recreation ¾ Protect natural and scenic areas of national and international significance Category III: Natural Monuments Conservation of specific natural features ¾Protect or preserve in perpetuity specific outstanding features because of their natural significance, unique quality and / or spiritual connotation Category IV: Habitat/Species Management PA managed mainly for conservation through management intervention ¾ Area subject to active intervention for management to ensure habitat and species maintenance ¾ Facilitate scientific research and monitoring Category V: Protected Landscape/Seascape Area where the interaction of people and nature over time has produced an area of distinct character with ecological / cultural value and high biological diversity ¾ Maintain harmonious interaction of nature and culture ¾ Support lifestyle in harmony with nature ¾ Maintain landscape and species diversity ¾ Provide opportunities for recreation and tourism ¾ Bring benefits to local communities Category VI: Managed Resource PA Area managed to ensure long term protection of natural ecosystems while providing sustainable flow of natural products and services ¾ Promote sound management practices for sustainable production purposes ¾ Protect biological diversity and other natural values in the long term ¾ Protect the natural resources base; contribute to regional development Internat. Categories in SEE BR WHS Nat WHS Ramsar Nat P. E Dipl Albania 1 2 11 B i H 1 2 Bulgaria 16 9 2 10 3 Croatia 1 6 1 4 8 Greece 2 16 10 1 1 Macedonia 1 1 4 Romania 3 7 1 2 17 1 Ser & Mn 1 4 1 4 5 Slovenia 1 1 1 2 1 Turkey 9 9 8 1 International Categories Central Europe BR WHS Nat WHS Belarus 2 2 1* Hungary 5 7 1* Moldovia - - - Poland 4 11 1* Rep. CZ 4 12 - Slovakia 2 5 1* *: Cross border UNESCO Biosphere Reserves Programme Man and Biosphere (MaB) It is a combination of several categories of PA (zoning) Îusually not included in national legislations Requirement: • Zoning • Management Plan • One management body only UNESCO Wold Heritage Site (World Heritage Convention) 2 categories: Natural Sites Cultural Sites … or mixed sites ! Working together for Preserving our Natural Hertitage IUCN’s Programme on Protected Areas and The World Heritage Convention 9 One of PPA’s key projects 9 A key role for IUCN in the protection of the world’s most exceptional protected areas The World Heritage Convention is one of the oldest international conventions (1972); It identifies sites of «outstanding universal value» to be placed on the World Heritage List Today: … 175 State Parties are signatories to the Convention … 740 sites are inscribed on the World Heritage List in 125 countries : 563 cultural sites 144 natural sites 23 mixed sites (natural and cultural) UNESCO Wold Heritage Site (World Heritage Convention) In Central Europe (6 countries): ¾ 35 W. H. Sites ¾ 2 natural sites (cross-border) In SEE (10 countries): ¾ 54 W. H. Sites ¾ 6 natural sites ¾ 5 mixed sites UNESCO Wold Heritage Site (World Heritage Convention) Natural Sites ¾ Srebarna, Pirin (Bulgaria) ¾ Plitvice (Croatia) ¾ Danube Delta (Romania) ¾ Durmitor (Montenegro) ¾ Skocjan caves (Slovenia) ¾ Bialowieza (Belarus & Poland) ¾ Aggtelek / Slovak karst (Hungary & Slovakia) Mixed sites ¾ Mount Athos, Meteora (Greece) ¾ Ohrid (Makedonia) ¾ Göreme-Cappadocia, Pamukkale (Turkey) Ramsar sites Convention on Wetlands of International Importance The government has the responsibilty for the control of the sites. There are problems of responsibility for the management (different land owners, contradiction between different laws) General trend: increase of the size to better integrate the sites into their regional context; switch from strict protection to sustainable use. European Diploma for protected areas – Council of Europe Established by the Council of Europe in the 1960s as a mean of granting recognition to protected areas for their standard of protection Diploma is subject to periodical renewal following expert visits Managers must submit yearly reports Diploma may be withdrawn when the integrity of the area is at risk Network of managers – managers meet on a regular basis to exchange info and experiences Diploma areas are expected to be a model for conservation PAN Parks Initiative WWF European Forest Programme The aim is to create economic tools for nature conservation ¾Idea: bring together nature conservation organizations, travel agencies, business community and local partners. ¾A well managed PAN Park has to control tourism and other activities for the long- term integrity of the Park. Natura 2000 – European Union Implementation of EU directives Bird directive Habitats directive The countries have to submit a list of sites and to ensure their protection ÎBuild a coherent European network of protected areas Further initiatives Important Bird Areas (IBA – realized in most countries), and Important Plant Areas (IPA – just started in some countries). Will be included in the Natura 2000 – Emerald networks. Conclusions In general, nature protection and protected areas are seen as an obstacle to regional development, rather than as an opportunity. Some reasons: Poor communication Too much emphasis on norms / regulations instead of benefits No use of the PAs for promotion of the area, products and services (label) Centralized decision making with little public participation Lack of innovative ideas and initiatives at local level.