Effective management and protection of nature resources in Jelgava and Siauliai cities

According to the recent assessment of the national environmental authorities, the Lielupe River basin is at the risk not to achieve the EU water policy target – to have good water status by 2015. 75% of the river waters in Latvian part and 81% of Lithuanian part have a potential to fail meeting water policy objectives. This is due to pollution created by industrial enterprises, tourists visiting nature sources, waste waters, rain waters and floods. Therefore the need to take effective water management and protection measures are indicated in national, regional and local planning and development documents. Taking into account that similar cross-border problems are existing in Jelgava and Siaulai cities located within the Lielupe River Basin and taking into account that municipalities are the main responsible bodies for effective management and protection of nature sources located in their areas, both partners decided to join together in order to ensure more efficient tackling of common problem on water quality in Lielupe River basin. In order tackle above mentioned water pollution problems, Project Application “Effective management and protection of nature resources in Jelgava and Siauliai cities” (NATURE PROTECT) with overall objective “To ensure sustainable development of Jelgava and Siaulai cities by effective management and protection of nature sources – Lielupe River basin” has been elaborated. In order to reach the Project overall objective, 3 Project sub-objectives are set that will be reached by implementation of thematic Work Packages (WP2-WP4): 1. To raise knowledge and capacity of city planning specialists on effective management, including protection and maintenance of nature resources – Lielupe River basin - located in the city areas that will be achieved by organizing 2 joined experience exchange seminars, 2 joined study trips, 1 joined workshop and by preparation of technical documentation for effective management of nature resources – Lielupe River basin - based on jointly elaborated concepts for development of cities’ areas (WP2); 2. To protect and develop nature resources – Lielupe River basin - located in Jelgava and Sauliai cities that will be achieved by implementing improvement and cleaning works on Post Island in Jegava and in Talksos Lake and its surrounding in Siauliai City (WP3); 3. To raise inhabitants’ awareness on actions that can be taken by each of inhabitant in order to ensure protection of nature resources and to increase inhabitants’ motivation to implement activities for protection of nature resources that will be achieved by organizing and implementing 4 information campaigns and 4 voluntary cleaning campaigns in Jelgava and Siauliai (WP4).