Sustainable development - Ecotourism in Ţara Dornelor

 

 

The partners involved in the project are: the Speleological Foundation ”Club Speo Bucovina” (CSB), as applicant, Community Based Natural Resources Management Network (Norway) – CBNRMN - and the Ecotourism Association in Romania (EAR).  The beneficiaries of the project are the communities in Vatra Dornei, Dorna Arini, Saru Dornei, Panaci, Dorna Candrenilor and Poiana Stampei. These are part of the Ţara Dornelor micro-region and they are situated in the proximity of the Călimani National Park.

Involvement of the Ecotourism Association in Romania is part of the effort of the organization to develop an ecotouristic destination. In order for this to be posible, the elaboration of a strategy was needed – a concept for the development of this destination. In this context, specific activities have been recommended and analyzed. These activities have the purpose of improving the ecotourism offer, based on a unique proposal for each zone in the target area - Ţara Dornelor.

 

One spectacular result obtained until now is the Ecotourism Association in Ţara Dornelor (AETD). This is a local Association formed by local tourism, Călimani National Park Administration, Salvamont Association and the Town Hall of Saru Dornei. AETD will develop as a network of quality ecotourism service providers. The network will benefit of constant assistance and support of EAR in order to ensure its success in future actions.

 

Promotion of renewable energies, as a second component, comes to sustain the ecotourism and the environment friendly activities. In this way, the premises of keeping the quality and values of the environment unaltered in the proximity of the National Park are being assured. For children, they have launched the action entitled „Eco-responsibility, a chance to learn the respect for nature and local culture”. The action has taken place in six schools in the target communities, involving at least 240 pupils.

 

In parallel, ”The fans of green energy” (70-118 pupils) has been established. The students interested in construction of mini-plants that work with solar / wind / hydro power, could deepen the renewable energy theme. During May – June, in the practical workshops held weekly, the pupils have constructed 10 mini-plants (windmills and watermills with different types of wheels). This activity was a multi-disciplinary challenge for the participants requiring from them both practical skills and knowledge of mathematics, physics, history.  
 

The other direction of promoting renewable energy followed the presentation of common plans that can be built by people without a specific technical training, but interest in using clean energy in their households. The first step for this was to develop and equip the Renewable Energy Lab, where facilities were built from cheaper materials or recyclables: a solar collector (from beer aluminum cans), a small wind mill (300 watts) and a micro-hydro generator.
 

Green Caravans – mobile stall exhibitions organized in 5 target communities – these power-plants have been exhibited, but also equipment which can be bought from specialized firms (solar panels). The advantages of each equipment were presented to the people. Also on this occasion were promoted courses organized within the project for the construction of wind / hydro generators.
 

2 training sessions, on renewable energy, were held in Plaiul Şarului and Vatra Dornei. The action was unprecedented not only regionally but also nationally, and was inspired by courses held in Great Britain by Hugh Piggott.