One of the world’s most biologically rich–and among its most threatened–ecosystems is about to receive much needed protection.  When the leaders of Hungary and Croatia signed an agreement recently to establish a transboundary UNESCO biosphere reserve, they ensured that 300 miles of one of Europe’s most important river systems–that includes the Danube, Mura, and Drava Rivers–will receive international protection.

      The conservation benefits of the agreement are great.  The two nations agree to act cooperatively on threats to the river system and will work together to protect endangered habitats and species within the river system.  The area is home to Europe’s highest density of white-tailed eagle breeding pairs and to such endangered species as the little tern and the black stork.  Wetlands in the river system are an important stopping place for more than 250,000 migrating waterfowl every year.  

     The agreement will have socio-economic benefits as well, including clean drinking water, flood protection, sustainable fisheries, and eco-tourism, according to the World Wildlife Federation (WWF). 

     The declaration by the two countries is the result of a decade of work by both governments, with help from the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and European environmental organizations.  And the cross-border agreement “is not only a significant advance for the region but can serve as an example of how nature conservation visions can bring countries together,” said James Leape, director general of WWF International.  His organization has honored the Hungarian and Croatian governments with a Leaders for a Living Planet award.

     Hungarian and Croatian leaders, along with environmentalists throughout Europe, hope that the two countries will be joined in the agreement by the three other nations that are also part of the river system.  They are Austria and Slovenia to the north of Hungary and Croatia and Serbia to the south.  If all five countries sharing the river system sign the agreement, it will mean the completion of a green belt protecting the heart of Europe, according to WWF.  A five-way agreement would also make this biosphere reserve the world’s first to be shared by five countries.

     There is good reason to hope that Austria, Slovenia, and Serbia will join in the agreement.  Each country is already providing some protection for its portion of the river system through national park or other protected status designation.–April Moore

the Mura River

the Black Stork

 

 

the Drava River

    

 

        

This entry was posted on Tuesday, September 29th, 2009 at 10:03 am and is filed under Good news for Mother Earth!. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.