South-Western Carpathian Wilderness and Sustainable Development Initiatives

A group of about 200 people from the protected area, along with authorities in the South-West Carpathians, has implemented wildlife protection and management measures. In response to a strong interest, we created the “Train the Trainers in Wilderness and Management” workshop. In April 2017, the files for certifying the ecotourism destination Cheile Nerei was approved by the Ministry of Tourism in Romania. For the first time, the area was analyzed as a unitary tourist destination, with an emphasis on ecotourism, with various options for nature explorers. Moreover, the Retezat – Hateg area was certified in June 2016 as the 3rd eco-tourism destination certified in Romania. It is promoted and embodied in local and regional policies as well as in the plans for the development of wild areas in the 11th South-West Carpathians and related economic development. “Development Strategy” and “Methodology for identifying ecological corridors” represent the two major results of this project. We are talking about a clear set of objectives and actions that could be translated into practice: designation of wild areas, integrated management of wilderness areas as part of a functional network of protected areas, consultation and stakeholder involvement, opportunities for nature-based businesses for local communities.

Executive AgencyWWF Danube-Carpathian Programme (DCPO)PartnersNGO Ecotur | Association of Ecotourism in Romania | ProPark Foundation for Protected Areas | WWF-SwitzerlandContract NumberRA 4ComponentPredefined projectImplementation areaRegionalThematic areaSustainable rural developmentImplementation period01.07.2013 – 30.04.2017Budget of the project (CHF)1,110,517Swiss Contribution (CHF)995,464Project websiteN/AExecutive Agency websitewww.wwf.ro