Background
The karst area is particularly valuable because of its biological diversity, including 30 endemic species recorded in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Animals. The area is also home to a complex river system, and contains the largest uninterrupted, natural and intact woodland area in the region. The Cerknisko plan and its intermittent lake have been declared a Natural Heritage area and have been proposed for designation under the Ramsar Convention. The project aims to establish a holistic model to ensure indigenous and sustainable development of the area, in order to promote the territorial integration of various sectors as well as the integration of protection and development objectives. Specifically, the project is intended to encourage biological methods of modernising agricultural practices and to devise tools to ensure implementation of such methods. In order to widen the economic base for local populations, it also envisages the development of eco-tourism in the region. Sound management of the designated area is also important. This is to be achieved by creation of a management plan that allows cooperation among local populations, species, habitats and activities, and by consideration of ecologically sound housing and sanitation systems for those living in the area. The main objective of the project is the first phase of the establishment of a Regional Park in the karst area of Notranjska. The project includes:
· the establishment of a Management Agency to implement the overall management plan,
· the introduction of Codes of Practice for Sustainable Agriculture, Eco-tourism, Eco-housing and General Behaviour,
· the conservation of habitats according to the Ramsar Convention, in a manner compatible with human development.
Coordinator: ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEVELOPMENT FUND
Duration: 16-JAN-1995 to 30-OCT-1997
Total budget: 382,997.47 €
EU contribution: 176,099.04 €
