Description
The necessity of the project comes from the lack of promotion and practice of traditional professions along with natural values of the Lower Ciuc Basin Natura 2000 site. A great decline threatens the population of weatherfish in the area, due to the emphasized human pressure. Involving the community and the local authorities, NGOs, the project has a triple aspect: social, scientific and educational. In long term, the project aims the conservation of the biodiversity and the landscape, and the sustainable development of the target area, through a sustainable use of the natural heritage, by reviving traditional activities of craftsmen and artisans and promoting cultural values and genuine talents. This will bring income for the locals without negatively affecting the nature. Through raising awareness activities and effective conservation of weatherfish the project will increase the respect for natural and traditional values of the target area.
Summary of project results
Practicing traditional professions and promoting local natural values faced a severe, visible decrease in interest in the past years. Throughout the project, in order to promote craftsmen and artisans in the area of Tusnad Sat, Tusnad Nou, Sansimion, Santimbru and Sancraieni, five workshops (woodwork, painting on wood, weaving, blacksmithing) were organized, where local craftsmen and artisans made handicrafts representing reproductions of natural values of the Lower Ciuc Basin Natura 2000 site (fauna and flora), by using traditional technologies with significant manual processing component. The workshops were visited by children from local secondary schools and also reached the adult generation as well. In order to increase the market visibility of local craftsmen, artisans and the products supplied by them, but also in order to promote the natural values of the Natura 2000 site, the organisation attended five specific fairs and events (in Bucharest, Brasov, Cluj Napoca and Sighisoara). Another important activity was the collection, reproduction and reintroduction of the weatherfish (Misgurnus fossilis) in the Lower Ciuc Basin Natura 2000 site in existing suitable habitats as well as recently restored habitats (dead arm next to Sânsimion) and developing a plan to protect this fish. Over 16,000 juveniles of weatherfish were populated into suitable habitats for the species. Larvae and juveniles arrived in drainage channels of the Lower Ciuc Basin. Management measures were applied for improving the conservation status of species and habitas: The Borsaros marsh Nature Reserve was ecologically restored through fencing the entire strictly protected area (1 km in length, 2.5 m height), removing the unwanted vegetation or other sources which can increase eutrophication in the southern area. Through sustainable use of natural heritage, reviving the traditional activities of craftsmen and artisans and promoting cultural values and authentic talents in order to bring income for the local community without the natural landscape to be affected in a negative way, biodiversity, landscape conservation and sustainable development of the area are assured on a long term. Through education and awareness raising an increased respect for the natural values was reached.
Summary of bilateral results