Management of Alytus-Grodno Region Transboundary Protected Areas and Promotion of their Integration into Pan-European Ecological Network

Short title: Management of protected areas

Measure 2.1.: Protection and sustainable development of environmental and natural resources

Beneficiary: Public Establishment Nature Heritage Fund (Vilnius, Lithuania)

Partners: Belarusian State University (Minsk, Belarus), Yanka Kupala Grodno State University (Grodno, Belarus), Administration of Dzukija National Park and Cepkeliai Strict Nature Reserve (Marcinkonys, Varena district, Lithuania)

Associates: Grodno Regional Committee of Nature Resources and Environmental Protection (Grodno, Belarus), State Environmental Institution “Republican Landscape Reserve “Ozery” (Ozery village, Grodno district, Belarus), State Environmental Institution “Republican Landscape Reserve “Kotra” (Pervomayskaya village, Shchuchin district, Belarus), Zuvintas Biosphere Reserve (Aleknonys village, Simnas, Alytus district, Lithuania), Veisiejai Regional Park (Veisiejai, Lazdijai district, Lithuania), State Service for Protected Areas under Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Lithuania (Vilnius, Lithuania)

PROBLEM: The protected areas of Alytus-Grodno region, including its biggest strict protection Cepkeliai-Kotra transboundary Ramsar site, are an integral part of one of the most valuable large complex of forests including these of Dainavos (Lithuania), Grodno (Belarus) and Augustów (Poland) forests, totaling to 1600 km2. At present day, there is no unified approach towards nature conservation in this terrain, as there is no compatibility in laws and regulations, policies related to resource utilization versus its protection, regional and local development policies. Achieving ecological coherence in Europe cannot be achieved by one country alone. The European Transboundary protected areas are of significant importance providing opportunities for greater migration of species, maintenance of landscape connections, allowing animals, plants, and ecological processes, to move freely from one habitat to another.

OBJECTIVES: The ultimate goal of the action is to foster sustainable development of the region and enhance protection and maintenance of biological diversity, as well as natural and associated cultural resources through unified approach, coordinated planning and protected area development, identification and promotion of common values, involvement of local stakeholders and communities. The primary aim of the partners is to improve joint strategic planning and management of Cepkeliai-Kotra transboundary, Ramsar site as well as lay the grounds for establishment of transboundary Augustow biosphere reserve within the framework of UNESCO's Programme on Man and the Biosphere by fostering cross-border cooperation, elaboration of standardised methodologies, harmonisation of regulatory framework, joint research, and facilitated know-how and experience exchange.  

RESULTS&OUTPUTS:

Common methodology for management of trans-boundary protected areas was elaborated during the project. Also, a concept for establishment of transboundary biosphere reserve was prepared.

Common Nature Management Plan for Cepkeliai-Kotra Ramsar site was developed. Joint seminars and study visits of nature specialists were held.

The natural values of the Lithuanian-Belarusian border territory were widely presented to the public. A comprehesive brochure “From Mara to Kotra” was issued, presenting the protected areas.