Conference for the protection of the European natural heritage along the former Iron Curtain in Ulcinj (Montenegro)
Press release from 22. November 2011
Radolfzell/ Ulcinj. From 16th to 19th November 2011, more than 50 representatives from governmental and non-governmental organizations met in order to discuss about the future of the European Green Belt in South-Eastern Europe. The 3rd European Green Belt Regional Meeting for the Balkans was organized by EuroNatur with financial support by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety, by the German Federal Agency for Nature Conservation and by the German Federal Environment Agency.
“One of the main tasks of nature conservation in Europe is to safeguard the natural treasures along the Green Belt by proclaiming national and nature parks. We therefore call upon all governments of the countries along the Balkan Green Belt to take action and to protect these important elements of the European natural heritage. Large devastating infrastructure projects which endanger and fragment this important European ecological network should not be allowed”, demands Gabriel Schwaderer, Executive Director of EuroNatur Foundation during closing the conference.
Large parts of the Balkan Green Belt are under official protection. Nevertheless, still there are important natural treasures along the former border between East and West which urgently need to be conserved. These areas are important retreats for many endangered animal and plant species.
One of the main problems pointed out by the participants of the conference was the lack of functioning administrations in national parks and strict nature reserves which are necessary to monitor the compliance of the protection targets and the development of nature areas. In addition, the pressure on the valuable natural treasures along the Green Belt caused by large scale infrastructure projects such as dams, ski areas, wind parks and long distance roads constantly increases.
Main objective of the European Green Belt Initiative is to safeguard and develop the former Iron Curtain which divided Europe for decades as an ecological network, spanning over 12.500 km throughout the continent. Since 2005, two similar meetings took place in Novi Sad, Serbia, and Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria.
Background information:
- Read more about EuroNatur’s projects along the Balkan Green Belt
- Presentations held at the 3rd European Green Belt Regional Meeting for the Balkans
For further information please contact:
EuroNatur
Konstanzer Straße 22
78315 Radolfzell
Tel.: +49 (0)7732 - 92 72 10
Fax: +49 (0)7732 - 92 72 22
E-Mail: info@euronatur.org
Internet: www.euronatur.org
Ansprechpartner: Gabriel Schwaderer
Pressekontakt: Katharina Grund