Posted on May, 06 2002

Milan, Italy � WWF, the conservation organization, today asks the governments of Alpine countries and the European Union for concrete actions to save the water reservoir of the Alps. The call comes at the High Summit in Milan, the first transcontinental multimedia conference dedicated to all mountain regions worldwide.

According to WWF, serious climate change impacts are contributing to the drastic reduction of Alpine glaciers, which in turn is leading to more water draining from the Alps. Combined with human intervention in the form of dams and the channelling of rivers and streams, the volume of water flowing from the Alps, often at unseasonable times of the year, is causing adverse effects such as massive floodings. This seriously affects countries both economically and socially. A well-functioning Alpine ecosystem is crucial for human welfare as well as biodiversity throughout Europe, and as the source of the continent�s four major rivers � the Rhine, the Danube, the Po, and the Rhone � the need for strong and effective management of this region must be considered a priority.

�It is essential to support sustainable management of Alpine freshwater resources now, considering ninety per cent of rivers and streams in the Alpine area have already lost their natural state,� said Walter Wagner, WWF representative at the High Summit. �To achieve this it is necessary to facilitate effective coordination, and to reach an agreement on the principles and general criteria for the management of the environment amongst the eight Alpine nations affected.�

In its intervention at the High Summit, WWF will highlight implementation of the ecological requirements of the Water Framework Directive (WFD) of the European Union (which foresees until 2015 the adoption of a legally binding integrated water management system for member countries). The implementation of this directive is fundamental for the protection and restoration of the ecological functioning of freshwater ecosystems across Europe.

WWF is also asking the Alpine countries and the United Nations to ratify the Alpine Convention and fully implement all its nine protocols.

WWF believes the Alps can be seen as a case study to learn from for the future development of other mountainous areas of the world. �For centuries, the Alps have been an important force of nature, providing water for millions of people and various uses,� said Wagner. �How we manage Alpine natural resources can save Europe's largest water reservoir and serve as a model for other mountain sources of water at risk."

For further information:

Tania Paschen, Communications Manager, Living Waters Programme - Europe; +33 490 97 2784; email: t.paschen@tourduvalat.org

Mitzi Borromeo, Press Officer; + 41 22 364 9562; email: MBorromeo@wwfint.org