Responsible Management of Protected Natural Areas (RO0082)

Description of the problem

Protected natural areas in Romania are essential in preserving natural and cultural capital as they include the most representative and significant areas in terms of biodiversity and natural values, respectively the cultural values associated with them. The list of the 1574 protected natural areas can be viewed at the URL: http://ananp.gov.ro/wp- content/uploads/inventar_arii_Ro_v1-00000003.pdf. The management of these protected natural areas and of the other natural heritage assets in the national network of protected natural areas also requires specially constituted management structures. Through specially constituted management structures, management measures in protected natural areas must be developed and implemented in such a way as to maintain or even restore, where necessary, natural ecosystems and wildlife populations, while maintaining or seeking solutions for the sustainable use of natural resources. 25 Also, in order to ensure transparency in the process of awarding protected natural areas in the committees related to the award sessions, representatives of civil society and/or from non- governmental organisations with concerns in the field of nature protection will also be co-opted.

Description of the commitment

What the commitment means 1. ANANP aims in the next period, taking into account the logistical and financial limitations, to assign protected natural areas that require specially constituted management structures. 2. Also, in order to ensure a unitary and efficient management, ANANP will provide the framework for correlating/updating the ongoing management contracts.

what are the pursued results 1. Transparency of the steps taken in the pre- attribution phases. 2. Ensuring a homogeneous framework in the organisation of the way of correlating/updating the ongoing management contracts. 3. Uniformity of procedures in the process of administration of protected natural areas. 4. Organising sessions for the administration of natural areas protected with the involvement of civil society, with an observer role, within the evaluation commissions of files and committees for analysing appeals.

what is the major objective 1. Attribution in administration of natural parks to management structures specially established in order to ensure a unitary and efficient management of the national network of protected natural areas and natural heritage. 2. Matching/updating all ongoing management contracts

Measurable activities (maximum 5) Responsible (institution/partner) Start date Date of completion

1. Consultation with potential beneficiaries and stakeholders, ensuring balanced representation and transparency in the procedure for ANANP/autonomous authorities/companies and national companies/local public administration 2022 2024 26 awarding protected natural areas. (at least 4 consultations) authorities/decentralised services of central public administration/scientific research and education institutions in the public and private sector/intercommunity development associations/museums.

2. Establishment of evaluation committees and appeals committees related to the methodology for awarding protected natural areas in administration per session organised. (at least 4 committees) ANANP, NBM, NNP- Romsilva, Local Public Authorities, Representatives from non-governmental organisations with concerns in the field of nature protection. 2022 2024

3. Organising and conducting sessions for the award of protected natural areas with the involvement of civil society, with an observer role, within the evaluation committees of files and committees for analysing appeals. (at least 2 sessions) ANANP 2022 2024

4. Promoting and publishing announcements on the award sessions on ANANP’s own website. (at least 2 ads) ANANP 2022 2024

5. Organisation of working meetings with the current specially constituted management structures. (at least 6 meetings) ANANP/RNP-Romsilva 2022 2024

Other information Budget required (lei) (source, if it already exists) Correlation with other government programs/strategies Correlation with the governance programme EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030

Action Plan Review

Commitment 5. Responsible management of protected natural areas

● Verifiable: Yes

● Does it have an open government lens? Yes

● Potential for results: Modest