Press Advisories

14. 8. 200912:46

The Czech Republic was the first country to ratify the Carpathian Biodiversity Protocol

In July, the Czech Republic ratified the Protocol on Conservation and Sustainable Use of Biological and Landscape Diversity in the Carpathians.

It was thus the first of the signatory countries to the Framework Convention on the Protection and Sustainable Development of the Carpathians(Carpathian Convention) to do so. In order for the Protocol to come into effect, three more countries from amongst the signatories must ratify it (Slovakia, Hungary, Rumania, Poland, the Ukraine and Serbia).

The Protocol was prepared in 2006 and 2007. It was intended to improve the protection, renewal and sustainable use of the biological and landscape diversity of the Carpathians. The Protocol promotes measures, including the creation and implementation of conservation plans directed towards the protection, conservation and sustainable use of natural and semi-natural habitats and renewal of degraded habitats.

The Protocol also attempts to provide for long-term protection and sustainable use and renewal of endangered species, including endemic species of fauna and flora indigenous to the Carpathians and also large carnivores.

It will contribute to cooperation amongst countries in the Carpathian system of protected areas. The Protocol facilitates more effective implementation of the Carpathian Convention in the sphere of protection of nature and the landscape. During preparation of the Draft Protocol, consultations were held with experts from the Agency for Landscape Protection and Landscape Conservation of the Czech Republic, the relevant ministries and Regions in the Carpathian region (Moravian-Silesian, Zlín, Southern Moravian and Olomouc).

The parties to the Protocol agreed on measures to ensure coordination and cooperation amongst the affected institutions and regional and also local authorities, concerned primarily with development and better cooperation in resolving joint problems at the most advantageous level. Cooperation in implementing the Protocol will be established with a number of environmental NGOs, similar to the Convention itself.

The Carpathians extend to only a small extent into the Czech Republic in the area of the Outer Western Carpathians and units (e.g., Javorníky, Ždánický les, Chřiby, Rožnovská brázda, Bílé Karpaty, Moravskoslezské Beskydy). This is a very varied and naturally, culturally and historically valuable area, in which protected landscape areas (Beskydy, Bílé Karpaty and Pálava), locations of European importance (e.g. Čertoryje, Chřiby and Niva Morávky) and also bird areas (e.g Hostýnské vrchy and Horní Vsacko) have been promulgated.

For further information, see: www.carpathianconvention.org