On May 11, the Romanian Government issued the decision by which the Vacaresti Delta was declared a natural park, under the name „Vacaresti Natural Park,” and the protected natural area regime was established.
Subsequently, the Ministry of Environment should have initiated a selection procedure for a Park administrator to guard the area, have a 5-year management plan, conduct scientific research on the birds, fish, and animals inhabiting the delta, and possess the financial capital necessary for investments in ecotourism development.
But the procedures for appointing the administrator were not initiated because the Executive decided, also in May, to establish the National Agency for Protected Natural Areas, and the responsibility for finding a manager for the Vacaresti Delta falls to the newly established institution.
The Protected Areas Agency is not yet operational because the Ministry of Environment has not yet completed the staffing structure.
Thus, the over 180 hectares of the Vacaresti Natural Park are guarded by only two employees of the Romanian Waters (Apele Romane).
The Vacaresti Natural Park Association, which initiated the efforts to declare the Bucharest Delta a protected area in 2012, is calling on the Ministry of Environment to expedite the process of appointing an administrator to guard the area and, at the same time, invest in ecotourism.
The Director of the Vacaresti Natural Park Association estimates that an investment of 10-15 mil. EUR is needed to develop the Vacaresti Delta.
Vacaresti Natural Park is one of the largest and most biodiverse urban wetlands in Europe, with a surface area of 1,840,000 sqm of green space. It is located 4 km from the center of Bucharest, being the first urban natural park in Romania, and environmental organizations estimate it could receive up to 1 million visitors annually.
The Vacaresti Delta was formed after the construction works for the largest reservoir in the capital’s Sector 4, started in 1986 by the communist regime, were abandoned after the 1989 Revolution. Since then, nature has gradually reclaimed the area, and underground springs have allowed for the creation of several bodies of water that led to the growth of diverse vegetation.
Source: Mediafax
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Vacaresti Natural Park lack an administrator?
The selection process was delayed due to the creation of the National Agency for Protected Natural Areas, which is not yet operational due to staffing shortages.
Who is currently responsible for the security of the park?
Currently, the 180-hectare area is guarded by only two employees from the Romanian Waters (Apele Romane) administration.
What is the estimated budget for the park’s development?
The Vacaresti Natural Park Association estimates that an investment of 10 to 15 million EUR is required for proper ecological and tourism infrastructure.