Romania could have a second biosphere reserve after the Danube Delta

Romania could have a new biosphere reserve, after the Danube Delta, as the Iron Gates Natural Park (Parcul Natural Portile de Fier) has obtained UNESCO’s approval to become the second such reserve in the country. The initiative belonged to professor Ioan Jelev, chairman of the Romanian National Committee MAB (Man and the Biosphere Programme) – UNESCO, Anne Juganaru, secretary of state in the Ministry of Environment, told local Mediafax. The necessary documentation has been drafted for two years and was sent to UNESCO on September 30. Submitting the documentation to UNESCO represents the first procedural step that has to be taken to declare a biosphere reserve. The second stage, that comes after UNESCO approves the documentation, consists in promoting a government decision to declare the biosphere reserve. Currently, the Danube Delta is the only biosphere reserve in Romania. According to Anne Juganaru, this status may increase the standard of living and the quality of life for local communities located in the biosphere reserve. The Iron Gates Natural Park is an 115,000-hectare park located in southwestern Romania and is one of the largest natural parks in the country. Romania wants EUR 1 bln EU funds to develop its Danube Delta Irina Popescu, irina.popescu@romania-insider.com (photo source: pnportiledefier.ro)