Lower Danube Green Corridor

More specifically, the aim is to secure effective implementation of the Lower Danube Green Corridor (LDGC) Agreement, including:

• Effective protection for 1 million ha of existing and new protected areas.
• Restoration of 224,000 ha of natural floodplain.
• Promotion of sustainable use and development along the lower Danube.

Lower Danube Green Corridor

Facilitated by WWF, the Lower Danube Green Corridor Agreement was signed in 2000 by the governments of Romania, Bulgaria, Ukraine and Moldova, recognizing a need and shared responsibility to protect and manage in a sustainable way one of the most outstanding biodiversity regions in the world.

Implementation to date

By early 2008, the protection target has been reached with over 1 million ha of wetlands protected; restoration projects are moving forward slowly, many of them directly involving WWF -- over 50,000 ha have been restored to date, roughly a quarter of the area envisaged.  

WWF's activities focus on practical implementation of the Lower Danube Green Corridor through coordination and policy work with governments and other authorities; demonstration projects; and work with local stakeholders in particular to promote sustainable local development.

Current projects

Bulgaria

• Meander restoration is taking place on 3 of the Danube’s tributaries. These model projects are the first of their kind in Bulgaria.
• With the support of the National Forestry Board, major steps have been taken to protect and sustainably manage floodplain forests, including successful restoration of the natural oak forest on Bulgaria's Danube islands.

Romania

• Dry and unproductive land in the Danube Delta has been transformed through restoration projects. It has turned into a mosaic of habitats that offer shelter and food for many species, including rare birds and valuable fish species, like pike and carp. The economic benefits of the restoration works in Babina and Cernovca (3,680ha), in terms of increased natural resources productivity (fish, reed, grasslands) and tourism, is about €140,000 per year.
• Floodplains in the south of Romania will be reconnected to the Danube and land use changes will be promoted to offer a potential for sustainable tourism, natural reed harvesting, fishing and other sustainable economic activities.
• A pilot project to demonstrate integrated management of the floodplain forest combining nature conservation and sustainable use of natural resources will be launched on the Danube islands.

Ukraine

• A Vision for the Protection and Restoration of the Danube Delta was developed by WWF and relevant authorities, including the Odessa Provincial Government and water authorities and published in 2003. Practical implementation of the vision has moved forward since then.
• Dikes on Tataru Island in the Danube Delta were removed in 2003, restoring natural flooding to 800 ha. The former wetland areas have quickly revived. A herd of hardy cows has been introduced by WWF and the Izmail Forest Administration, which controls the island, to help manage vegetation as well as provide income. Tourism infrastructure is being developed on the island and the first tourists are arriving for angling and other recreation.
• Lake Katlabuh (10,000 ha) is being reconnected to the Danube system through construction by WWF and the Odessa Water Management Authority of a bridge and removal of a dike. The lake, which was separated from the natural flooding of the river in the 1970s, has been slowly dying, threatening fish stocks in the lake. 
• Plans are also moving forward for the restoration of Ermakov Island.  

Moldova

• With the support of the local community, a new management plan is being implemented at Lake Beleu scientific reserve. This first attempt for an integrated management of wetlands will be expanded in the Lower Prut area as part of a Trilateral Biosphere Reserve that is planned between Moldova, Romania and Ukraine.