Description (EN): The integrated project brings together 4 well-cooperating partners, the Municipality of Salonta, Körösök Völgye Natúrparkért Association, Békés Town and the Milvus Transylvania West Association, in the field of natural heritage and tourism. This cooperation has strategical impact in the Programme region for it is adapted at meeting the needs and to the benefit of the environment and the local population from the Salonta-Békés area, as well as tourists in a sustainable way (acting jointly to preserve&promote; local values is vital to sustainability). The project envisages improving, conserving, rehabilitating natural values and then making them accessible to the wide public and jointly promoting them in an attractive manner. The novelty of the approach resides in the cross-border private-public partnership in the field of conservation and promotion of the joint natural heritage of the area; it is an unprecedented integrated approach. Transnational cooperation is envisaged on the long term to preserve common values of the area and jointly promote them.
The idea of the project revolves around an endangered species, the great bustard (Otis tarda) and other species from the region, their habitats and Natura 2000 sites from the Romania-Hungary border area. The last 50 great bustards from Romania, facing the risk of extinction, live in the area of Salonta and their territory expands across the border. Thus, conservation measures are compulsory to save it. Also, Natura 2000 sites (ROSPA0097, ROSCI0387, HUKM20012) and other areas from Salonta - Békés area must be better protected. The target area is geographically and hydrographically consistent , it is an interrelated and interdependent ecosystem, rich in natural values that represent the joint heritage of the area, but habitat loss and degradation are the most important cause of species decline and extinction in the area. The biodiversity of the area is in overall decline also due to agricultural activity and a poor conservation state. Protected areas, especially the Natura 2000 network, can create conflicts. Both local authorities and communities often think that the program is a hindrance, rather than support in the economic development. As proper knowledge, sensitivity to natural values are necessary for their improved protection, measures aimed at increasing public acceptance for protecting natural heritage are needed; community approach is mandatory. It is also important that decision makers consider nature conservation a priority, and allocate sufficient funding and resources accordingly, also to make them attractive for tourists. Hence, environment education programmes should be considered for stakeholders, while urgent investments must take place in order to protect and promote the natural values from the Salonta-Békés area. Joint promotion will contribute to the formulation of a joint integrated tourism destination of the Salonta – Békés, as a new solution to attracting visitors both from inside and out of the eligible area. Acting at a smaller scale would hinder efforts to preserve the natural values that extend beyond borders, while single, isolated tourist points attract less tourists. New sustainable tourist attractions will be created based on natural local assets.
Previous projects, concerning the protection of the environment, habitats and species, as well as environmentally-friendly tourism in the Salonta-Békés area, have been successfully carried out by each of the 4 partners, and the hereby project builds upon these efforts.
The project main overall objective is the sustainable use of joint natural heritage within the Salonta-Békés cross-border area by improving the conservation status of 1519.41 ha natural heritage and by promoting natural values in an integrated way. The proposed solutions to the identified problems and the attributed resources will contribute to an improved condition of the natural values (1519.41 ha) and their promotion for the benefit of the community living in the Salonta- Békés area and tourists (647556 people). The local population consists in 152456 people from the Salonta microregion (including Salonta, Cefa, Sânnicolau Român, Batăr, Tulca, Mădăras, Avram Iancu, Husasău de Tinca) and Békés microregion - which includes Békéscsaba and Gyula. Tourists from outside the area are added (488745 visitor nights in Salonta-Békés area) -they will improve their knowledge about the natural values from the region and learn about methods of protecting such values. An estimated number of 6355 more tourists will be attracted to the area by setting up new attractions
The project activities are in line with project objectives, costs were realistically and clearly set, based on needs and current market prices, and they are appropriate and balanced among partners.
The envisaged interventions will result in improved conditions of the most important values – both tangible and intangible elements of the joint heritage of the Salonta – Békés area.
Project main expected outputs are:985.32 Surface area of habitats supported to attain a better conservation status in Salonta534.09 Surface area of habitats supported to attain a better conservation status in BékésAn increase of 6355 visits to supported sites of natural heritage in the Salonta- Békés areaThe activities will comprise conservation / protection and promotion measures:
Conservation of Otis tarda and other species by reducing the number of the predatorsConservation of Otis tarda by underground medium tension power lines,Monitoring of different speciesecological restoration of the eutroph lake / Natura 2000 area.Restoration Program - Scientific researchNature conservationLandcare FaciliatingScientific workshopsJoint exchanges of experience for the conservation of Otis tardaSaving of local genetic materialAwareness raising activitiesThe development of themed routesThe development of the Tourist Information Point - “Dropia” CenterThe development of Békés-Dánfok Visitor CenterPromotion of the local natural values through joint marketing planOriginal point of view and results in target area:
Protecting and managing the biodiversity in target area.Securing the economic benefits of natural areas, the human benefits (health, recreation, etc.) and benefits to the community in a sustainable manner.Securing sustainable agriculture and conserving the natural values.Managing public access.Providing a legacy for future generations.the involvement of the voluntary sector, environmental NGOs.Ensure good communication with all stakeholders (local government, landowners, farmers, hunters, NGOs, tourism organisation, etc).
Read more Achievements (EN): The main result of the project is related to the two newly created centres, the Dropia Centre in Salonta area and Békés-Dánfok Visitor Centre in Bekes area. The centres were fully equipped and new staff was hired. New thematic routes were created in the project area, accessible by foot or by bike, marked with information boards. Monitoring reports were drawn up regarding Otis Tarda and other species from the project area.
Events, forums and one scientific international workshop on conservation were organized. Also, activities regarding the conservation of Otis tarda and other species by reducing the number of predators, by underground medium tension power lines and monitoring of different species, ecological restorations, planting trees and restoring the eutrophic lake took place.
Website/webpage:
https://www.dropia.eu/gb
https://bekesrohu14.hu/
https://www.instagram.com/nature_corner_rohu14/
https://www.facebook.com/dropia.eu
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Expected Outputs (EN): The Project Main Result is the increase of tourist overnight stays with
6355.
The project envisages improving, conserving, rehabilitating natural values and then making them accessible to the wide public and jointly promoting them in an attractive manner. In order to ensure sustainability, the natural heritage sites and facilities from the Salonta-Békés cross-border area will be used for touristic purposes on the long-term.
The interventions envisaged will result in improved conditions of the most important values – both tangible and intangible elements of the joint heritage of the Salonta – Békés area.
Tangible improvements (conservation of different species, areas, better accessibility through bike track and new facilities) will make natural values more attractive to the local population and visitors. Community approach is needed for natural resource management and the sustainability of conservation measures on both sides of the border. Thus, joint networks, work groups, education packs, intangible heritage related to nature/environment will be developed.
Joint promotion will contribute to the formulation of a joint integrated tourism destination, as a new solution to attracting visitors both from inside and out of the eligible area. On the long term, joint promotion will contribute to increasing the number of visitors following the investments made and contribute to the overall growth of the targeted area.
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