Bio-diversity

The Salasul de Sus community and the local association Asociatia Composesorala Plai-Groapele, owner of pastures and forests that are partly in the Retezat National Park and partly in the Dinozaurus GeoparcTara Hategului, need substantial support to develop activities that can contribute directly or indirectly to the conservation of the protected area value and help locals to generate alternative incomes. The present project will initiate activities that should contribute to developing alternative income generating activities by establishing an irrigation system for the Christmas tree plantation and by suporting the development of new tourism attractions outside the National Park area. The irrigation system will be based on the reconstruction of a pond that will serve as important water source for the animals of the community, especially in very dry summers. Capacity buidling activities are planned for local authorities and local people to support development of project proposals and funding for sustainable development in the area. The project will also contribute to the promotion of the valueas of the area and traditional handicrafts to visitors through the information point that will be established by the Retezat Tourism Association in Hateg. The Association was established by local entrepreneurs in 2007, with support from the UNDP GEF Project Sustainable Management of Natural Resources in the vicinity of the Retezat National Park for the benefit of local communities that is being implemented in the Salasul de Sus and R u de Mori areas. One purpose of the Association is to develop the network of local entrepreneurs who can contribute to the development and promotion of a proper tourism intrastructure in the vicinity of the Retezat National Park, thus reducing visiture pressure on the National Park.

Romania