«NEWS FROM NATIONAL PARKS»

UGRA NATIONAL PARK HOLDS MEETING

Ugra National Park held a meeting to develop a Management Plan on July 12-13, 2001. The NP Management Plan was drawn up within the framework of the Russian National Parks Management Strategy Development Project, which is funded by Britain’s Department for International Development.

The meeting was organized by Ugra’s directors and by the Biodiversity Conservation Center. Over 40 representatives from local municipalities, Kaluga Region and regional NGOs took part. Meeting participants learned about NP activities in the field of biodiversity conservation, historical and cultural heritage protection. Having discussed the problems and prospects for Ugra NP development, they agreed that it needs to develop a complex development program based on the principles of conservation and sustainable use of natural resources and cultural heritage; the program must also consider the needs of local people and contribute to sustainable social and economic development of the region.

The meeting identified the following problems as the most pressing:

• the deterioration of aesthetic qualities of the landscape resulting from improper use of agricultural lands; the decay of historical and architectural sites and monuments; urban sprawl;
• illegal development of natural and mineral resources, mainly sand extraction;
• pollution from industrial and agricultural enterprises as well as solid non-industrial waste;
• illegal hunting and fishing.

The participants agreed that within the next few years Ugra should obtain the official status of a biosphere reserve. Effective mechanisms for managing resource users within the National Park should include open discussions and coordination procedures that involve local authorities and businesses in NP management. This could be done by setting up a Board or a Committee consisting of municipal authorities, farmers and entrepreneurs, representatives of local communities, etc.

The meeting identified the following priorities for the Ugra NP Management Plan for 2002—2006:

For conservation and restoration of natural sites:

1. Improve the efficiency of the NP State Inspection by revising its structure, methods and forms of work. Stress efforts to prevent poaching and improve relations with the local community.
2. Minimize anthropogenic impact on the NP natural complexes, particularly in using tourist routes.
3. Organize activities to restore and improve broadleaf forests.
4. Amend and confirm the NP Statement and the Statement on Included Lands in proper order.
5. Set up special program for the conservation of rare and endangered plant and animal species.
6. Set up a system of ecological monitoring.

To protect and sustain the aesthetic and educational value of cultural landscapes:

1. Make an inventory of historical and cultural monuments as well as historical and cultural sites and prioritize them.
2. Involve the local authorities and local residents in efforts to preserve historical and cultural heritage as well as the attractiveness of the surrounding landscape.
3. Curb urban sprawl by developing Municipal Management and Planning Charters.
4. Develop a museum network by setting up private museums, NP displays and exhibitions.

To improve the data base for managing natural resources:

1. Create a complex environmental management program and enlarge the NP geo-informational system (GIS).
2. Make an inventory of natural complexes and sites and estimate the NP’s recreation resources.
3. Cooperate with the Education and Science Department of the Kaluga Region Administration.

To involve the local community in NP activities:

1. Improve the role of municipalities in conservation and protection of the natural and cultural heritage; ensure their participation in tourism and recreation development.
2. Develop existing target-program to involve local residents in small businesses to provide services to tourists (hotels, shops, souvenirs, crafts, information, etc).
3. Improve climate for potential investors in the region’s economic development, especially the tourism infrastructure in the park and its protection zone.

To develop tourism and recreation in the National Park:

1. Develop local tourist businesses by renting out tourist routes and recreation sites.
2. Improve the system of visitor control and access to the NP by issuing licenses to tour operators working in the National Park.
3. Organize accommodation for visitors to the National Park. Ensure visitors’ safety; provide first aid and medical services.
4. Attract investment in the NP tourism infrastructure with financial support from the regional budget.

The management plan should be completed by December 31, 2001.

Yuri Buivolov,
Biodiversity Conservation Center

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