Download PDF A PRJECT PROPOSAL

PROJECT PROPOSAL
Name:
Integrated Biodiversity Conservation and Wetland Management
within the middle flow of the Prut River.
Location:
Republic of Moldova
Duration:
3 years
Implementing agencies:
Office for combating the consequences of global climate
changes in agriculture;
Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry;
e-mail: [email protected]
tel/fax: + 373 22 221586
Estimated budget:
$US 5 000 000
1. Project linkage to national priorities, action plans and programmes
The proposed project has links with:
1. The Republic of Moldova National Environmental Action Plan for 1996-1998, adopted by
Governmental Decision nr.302 , June 1996 which underline the high priority character of the actions that
should be undertaken in the field of Wetland Conservation through establishment of new protected areas
- up to 3.3% of the territory of the country , extension of the country wood cover from existing 7% up to
13 % by the year 2020, improvement of water quality monitoring and promotion of environmentally
friendly agricultural practices.
2. National Strategic Program of Actions for the Environmental Protection for the period 1995-2020
approved by the President Decree nr.21 in October 6th, 1995.
3. Decision of the Government of Moldova "With regard to urgent amelioration of the social and economic
situation of the villages situated in the Prut River valley", nr.131 approved on 15 February 2000.
4. Biological Diversity Conservation: National Strategy and Action Plan approved by Governmental
Decision nr.1065 from 20 October 2000.
5. Bilateral Moldova-Romania agreement in the field of the Environmental protection signed in July 1997.
The project is relevant to the most of International Conventions that Moldova is a part to:
1. Convention on Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats (Bern, 1997), ratified by
Parliament Decision No. 1546-XII from June 23, 1993;
2. Convention on Environmental Impact Assessment in Transboundary Context (Espoo, 1991), ratified by
Parliament Decision No. 1546-XII from June 23, 1993;
3. Convention on Protection and Use of Transboundary Water Courses and International Lakes (Helsinki,
1992), ratified by Parliament Decision No. 1546-XII from June 23, 1993;
4. Convention on Biological Diversity (Rio de Janeiro, 1992), ratified by Parliament Decision No. 457-XIII
from, 1995;
5. Convention on Cooperation for the Protection and Sustainable Use of the Danube River (Sofia, 1994),
ratified by Parliament Decision No. 323-XIV from March 17, 1999;
6. Convention on Wetlands of International Importance especially as a habitat of aquatic birds (Ramsar,
1971), ratified by Parliament Decision Nr. 504-XIV from July 14, 1999.
7. Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS), Bonn, 1979; Agreement
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on the Conservation of the Bats in Europe (EUROBATS); African-Eurasian Water Birds Agreement
(AEWA), ratified by Parliament Decision No 1244-XIV from September 28, 2000.
8. Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of wild Fauna and Flora (CITES),
Washington, March 3, 1973, ratified by Parliament Decision No. 1246-XIV from September 28, 2000.
Besides of the convention ratified, Moldova has signed among other bilateral and multilateral agreements
1. Statement on Lower Danube Green Corridor signed by Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine and Moldova, on 5
June, 2000, in Bucharest, Romania;
2. Protocol on the Establishing of the Transboundary Biosphere Reserve of Danube Delta and Scientific
Reserve “Prutul de Jos”, signed on 27 July, 2000 by the Deputy Minister of Environment and Territorial
Development from the Moldavian side and Executive Director of Biosphere Reserve “Danube Delta”
from the Romanian side.
The project is expected to contribute in meeting the engagements of the Republic of Moldova taken under
the above mentioned international, bilateral and multilateral agreements as well as the project is expected to
support the Government of Moldova to in the listing all the Reserves within Prut River valley as a Ramsar
site.
The project will also have links and will complement the already implemented programmes and projects
with relevance to the Prut River, including:
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Pre-Investment Study of the Prut River Basin Project ( 1994, Danube River Basin Programme)
Nutrient Balances for the Prut River Basin Project (1995, Danube River basin Programme,
assessment of the pressure of the nutrients on the Prut River has been developed and
recommendations for water quality monitoring have been given )
Study on the Quality of the Rural Drinking Water (1997, The World Bank, quality of drinking
water in two pilot area located in the Prut River basin have been assessed as well as the
investment costs for drinking water supply.)
Accident Emergency Warning System and Monitoring Laboratory and Information Management
Project (1996 Tacis CBC Programme, AEWS-MLIM established in the Prut River Basin)
Selected Actions in Moldova and Ukraine from the Environmental Programme for the Danube
River basin project. (4 different actions - industrial clean production, waste management, river
basin management and wetland protection for the implementation of the Strategic Action Plan
Implementation Progremme in Moldova and Ukraine)
UNDP/GEF Strengthening Implementation of the Nutrient Reduction Measures and
Transboundary Cooperation (1998, Danube Programme)
Evaluation of Wetland and Floodplain Areas in the Danube River Basin
Development of Agricultural Strategy (2000, Tacis Programme)
First Agricultural Project of the WB in Moldova
Prut River Management Project (2000, Tacis CBC Programme, GIS mapping of the quality of
surface and underground waters within the Prut River catchment, sociological study and public
awareness in the field of drinking water consumption and supply)
Prut River Tributaries Project (Tacis CBC Programme, on-going, development of the action
plans for integrated environmental management in the tributaries' catchment areas)
Agricultural Pollution Control Project (2009, GEF/WB).
All the above bulleted projects have been implemented under the assistance that the Republic of Moldova
has been gotten from the EU countries within the TACIS Program and from other international funds and
donors as well as investment projects from IFI.
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2. Project rationale and objectives:
Rationale
The project area is situated in the South-West of the Republic of Moldova, in the middle flow part of the
Prut River (western border of the Republic of Moldova). Presently the area represents a natural floodplain
composed from a chain of multiple small lakes and marches which taken as a whole forms a unique
ecosystem of international importance being a component part of the African - EuroAsian migration
corridor. By its biodiversity the flood plains of the River Prut can be caricaturized as reach in flora - 193
vascular species of plants and fauna - 241 species of animals. More then 20 plant species and 39 animals
species are included in the annexes of Bern and Bonn Conventions. Among them should be mentioned subendemic elements like: plants - Genista tetragona, Centaurea thrinkei, Centaurea angelescui, Euonymus
nana, etc.; animals - 55 species are Ponto-Caspian relicts (polichaeta - 2 species, amphipoda - 17 species,
myzide - 7 species, cumaceae - 5 species, fish - 15 species) and about 10% of these species are endemic for
the Black Sea Basin. The fish species Zingel streber and Zingel zingel occurs only in Prut River Basin.
Besides, 33 species of birds, 3 species of mammals and 2 species of amphibians are listed in Resolution N6
of the Bern Convention. By its geographical situation the area of concern represent an important component
of the Lower Danube Green Corridor connecting as a puzzle piece the wetlands of Bulgaria, Romania,
Moldova and Ukraine.
In order to protect the area from regular flooding and extend the agricultural lands water management
activities have been undertaken in the late 60th of the previous century. The "amelioration" activities, which
disturbed the natural hydrological regime has had a detrimental impact on the natural ecosystems along the
Prut River. Before dams and levees construction as well as before draining, the floodplain was a natural
system of accumulation and evacuation of the Prut River water which together with diverse biotops and
specific march vegetation used to form perfect habitats for animal communities, mainly the populations of
aquatic birds. The marches were surrounded by forests where wetland associated species of trees like Salix,
Populus, Quercus and Ulmus prevails. After drying up the Prut marches the area of plants and animal
populations' habitats have drastically reduced by more than 70 %. Consequently, the loss of biodiversity in
the area is around 200 species of plants and animals.
The current use of floodplain is related mainly to grazing activities (it is to be mentioned that recently the
local authorities have offered alternative plots for grazing located outside the floodplain). Due to poor soil
quality any other agricultural activities like crops cultivation are not economically feasible (highly
salinizated top soil). However, some small plots are still used for grape and vegetables cultivation. Besides
that the local inhabitants also use the plain lakes for fishing purpose. Illegal logging, hunting, and waste
disposal - another kind of floodplain use - have been recorded by local environmental enforcement agency.
Thus, despite the status of a protected area attributed to the area by the Law on Water Courses Protection, its
unsustainable exploitation continues. Such a situation could have many explanations among which the weak
economic situation of local inhabitants forcing them to use any available resources around their communities
is to be mentioned in first turn. Among other causes should be underlined insufficient enforcement
capacities of local environmental inspectors, low awareness level of the stakeholders (farmers,
sheepshearers, general public), lack of management unit responsible for the maintenance of the protected
area, lack of coordinated planning activities of local agencies responsible for land use planning.
Restoring the original dynamics of the floodplain would not only contribute to the protection of the
biodiversity, it would also have a positive economical effect as (i) restoring spawning habitats for fish would
increase the number of fish (Ciprinus carpio, Carasius auratus, Perca fluviatilis, Lucioperca lucioperca,
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etc. - species of fish subject of fishing activities; Zingel zingel and Umbra krameri - two species of fish
listed in the National and European Red Data Book); (ii) floodplain restoration would contribute to decrease
flood problems and reduce investments in flood protection downstream; (iii) the landscape diversity would
increase offering opportunities for outdoor recreation like fishery, boating, etc.
All the problems mentioned above will be addressed by elaboration of the protected area management and
restoration plan, elaboration of the biodiversity monitoring survey, establishing of protected area core staff,
biodiversity restoration measures as well as hydrological regime restoration, development of revenue
generation measures like licensed hunting, fishing and development of the area as a tourists attraction which
will secure financial sustainability of the protected area, educational and training activities among
stakeholders.
Project Objective:
The objective of the project is to protect, restore and manage the wetland (floodplain) ecosystems along the
middle River Prut basin (see attached the map of the area) and to secure conditions for their sustainable use.
The project aims to extent the area of wetlands in the site by restoring the hydrological regime, attribute the
status of the protected area with multifunctional use, create conditions and opportunities for financial
sustainability of the area trough securing regional tourism development based on Local Action Plan of
Sustainable Use of the Protected Area with Multifunctional Use (PAMU) and PAMU management plan.
3. Expected outcomes
At the end of the project situation, it is expected that the long-term conservation of biodiversity in the
floodplain of the Prut River will be achieved. This will be done trough:
 Restoration of hydrological regime in the floodplains of the River Prut and protection of the water
sources within PAMU.
 Protected area designation (National and International -Danube Green Corridor and connections to the
European Ecological Network).
 Creation of the management body for sustainable manage the protected area
 Support to the establishment of an ecological network along the Prut river. Restoration of the Eco
corridors;
 Creation of the facilities for regional tourism, fishing development. Hunting and fishing fauna
restoration.
 Promotion of the sustainable use of the resources of the PAMU as well as of the buffer areas;
 Supply of equipment for environmental monitoring and management of PAMU and training for PAMU's
staff and local decision-makers.
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Planned activities to achieve outcomes:
Identify and consult with stakeholders and relevant governmental bodies to secure their active
involvement and commitment to the design and implementation of the project;
Review available information on hydrology, agriculture and biodiversity, identify gaps and carry out
additional targeted research to support the elaboration of the integrated biodiversity and floodplain
management plan;
Assess the hydrological functioning of the river and prepare engineering plan to restore the wetlands in
the floodplains;
Implement measures to improve the water quality or (water courses protection belts) prevent future
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impacts on the biodiversity of the protected areas;
Train protected area management staff ;
Provide equipment for environmental monitoring and conduct training for the users (environmental
inspectors, environmental NGOs);
Stakeholders involved in the Project
The project will target the following stakeholders: the Ministry of Environment; Ministry of Agriculture and
Food Industry, State Water Concern "Apele Moldovei", the State Forest Service “Moldsilva”, the local
authorities of Leova County, international and national NGO community, , state and private farms, local
communities.
of the wetland area “
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