Post on 28-Mar-2015
Mountain hay meadows – hotspots Mountain hay meadows – hotspots of biodiversity and traditional of biodiversity and traditional
culturecultureConference in GyimesközéplokConference in Gyimesközéplok
7-9. June 20107-9. June 2010
The Pagan Snow Cap Microregional Association
• Founded in 1999
• Members:
• 23,000 residents of which 36% Székely, 64% Csángó, both Hungarian minoritiesand a small number of Romanians, Gypsies and other ethnic groups.
- The Harghita County Council
- 6 municipalities (33 villages)
- 11 NGOs
- 9 local enterprises
Goals and fields of activity
Our main goal is to initiate and execute rural development in the area, paying special
attention to:
– Environment– Agriculture– Tourism– Cultural heritage and traditions
... in continuous co-operation with local citizens.
The area
The area
GyimesGyimes
CsíkCsík
Land management
Csík– Plough lands 20%– Meadow 34%– Pasture 22%– Forest 25%
– Average farm size: 4-5 ha in 5-6 pieces
80% of farms eligible for SAPS (single area payment scheme)
Gyimes– Plough lands 2%– Meadow 27%– Pasture 33%– Forest 38%
– Average farm size: 2-3 ha or less in 4-6 pieces
55% of farms eligible for SAPS
71%47%
Music, dance & costumes
Handicrafts
Local products
Eco tourism
Traditional architecture
Nature and landscape conservation
Creating landscape
Patchwork
Creating landscape
Why are traditional farmers important?
• Conservation of biodiversity and landscape - the country could not afford if it had to pay people to do it.
Pagan Snow Cap Microregion: 23.000 people -> 10.000 work on fields -> minimum wage half time = 75 €/month -> 9 million €/year
• They provide food, occupation and income for at least 50% of the population of Romania, which the country could not replace.
• Low-impact tourism, organic accreditation, high quality food production and other rural businesses that can profit from the natural and cultural treasures without destroying them.
• They illustrate to the rest of Europe how sustainable agricultural systems can maintain a rich biodiversity while feeding the population.
The project
• The goal of our project is double– on one hand we aim to protect and maintain hay meadows by
encouraging local communities to continue traditional farming; – on the other hand we use the presence of hay meadows to help
maintain and increase the life quality of local communities.
• Timeline: 2009 September – 2011 February.
• Funded by: UNDP GEF Small Grants Programme, Barbara Knowles Fund,
European Forum on Nature Conservation and Pastoralism with funding from the European Commission (DG Environment) and donations.
• Total funds: 28280 USD grant + 28280 USD own contribution.
• Professional partners: Sapientia University, Hargita County Council, Environmental Protection Agency of Hargita county and ADEPT Foundation.
Project objectives and activities
Main objectives:• To create a database on hay meadow biodiversity; • To create integrated management plans for two sites; • To make benefits for landowners from biodiversity and sustainable land
use.
Main activities:• Inventory of meadow biodiversity (plant, bird, amphibian, reptile, selected
invertebrate groups);• Consulting local farmers about land use; • Promoting the International Year of Biodiversity and bringing together
knowledge about meadow biodiversity, rural sociology and economy; • Proposing sites to be included in the Natura 2000 network;• Making and proposing local policies regarding sustainable land use and
nature conservation;• Compiling management plans and best practices guide;• Creating environmental education trails;• Increasing income from milk production (e.g. cheese making training
course, purchase of equipment to meet milk quality standards);• Integrating project results in local school curricula and outdoor activities.
Achievements until today
• Managed to do a part of the inventory of meadow biodiversity (biological survey);
• Managed to elaborate the documentation that is necessary for proposing areas in the Natura 2000 system;
• Started filming to create documentary about land usage;
• Launched project and conference website;
• Started to organize conference (registration is now open);
• Bought equipment for measuring milk quality for three milk collecting points;
• Consulted locals about traditional land usage (sociological survey).
Thank you for your Thank you for your attention!attention!Rodics GergelyRodics Gergely
www.poganyhavas.rowww.poganyhavas.rowww.mountainhaymeadows.euwww.mountainhaymeadows.eu