ACTIVITIES FOR TOURISM DEVELOPMENT AND CONSERVATION OF BIODIVERSITY PROMOTED CURRENTLY IN THE REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA Statement of H.E. Mr.

Constantin MIHAILESCU, Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Moldova at the Governing Council/Global Ministerial Environment Forum 7-9 February 2006, Dubai.

The Republic of Moldova has elaborated: - The concept of tourism development in the Republic of Moldova until the year of 2005 (Government Decision nr. 912 of 08.10.1997) - Law on tourism nr. 798-XIV din 11.02.2000 - The Strategy for sustainable development of tourism in the Republic of Moldova for the years of 2003 2015 (Government Decision nr. 1065 of 02.09.2003) In the Government of the Republic of Moldova activates the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. The Republic of Moldova has a valuable natural potential for tourism, characterized by attractions of an exclusive picturesque, representing one of the most rich tourist resources. Anyway, the contribution of tourism to the national economy is relatively insignificant. The representative elements of the natural potential, which could award a necessary quality for tourism development, are: The relief of the Republic, represents a hilly field inclined from north-west to south-east, with an average altitude of 150 m. The climate: continental moderate-temperate with a thermal regime, favorable for practicing different types of tourism. The hydrographical touristical potential, representing a well developed hydrographic network: over 3000 of rivers and rivulets , the largest being Nistru river, with a total length on the territory of the republic of Moldova of 660 km, Prut river 695 km, Raut river 286 km, Cogalnic river 243 km etc. there are 4 natural lakes: Manta, Dracele, Bic and Beleu, that constitutes the core of Prutul de Jos (Lower Prut) Scientific reserve as well as a number of artificial water bodies ponds and reservoirs: Dubasari reservoir (on the Nistru river) and Costesti-Stanca reservoir (on the Prut river). The mineral waters are found on the whole territory of the republic, with debits that vary in different localities. Mineral water resources could contribute to the development of the balneo-tourism. According to the actual hydro-geological and balneo-medical research studies there are over 30 spots and localities with mineral water resources. Vegetation and Fauna: vegetation is specific steppe and forest-steppe in fields on the North Moldavian Plateau, to which can be added oak and beech forests from the high hills. The forests occupy large territories in the central hilly part of the republic (Hills of the Codrii, the Central Moldavian Plateau and the Hills of Tigheci) and Pre-Nistrean Hills. The total surface of the forests constitutes 10,2% out of the total territory of the country.

Out of the herbal steppe and forest-steppe species of a particular value are the rare endemic species, of scientific interest, placed in reserves and natural areas outside of reserves. The rare plant species, as well as the animal species are the monuments of nature, including medicinal plants, used in balneology treatment in the sanatoria complexes. Relief and geology: by its geological formations the republic of Moldova has forms of relief as well as variant landscape aspects attractive for tourism: - landscape aspects and calcareous relief from the Toltrele Prutului , Nistru and Raut rivers hills, with relief cliffs, thresholds and cascades, caves and grottos ; - Nistru ravines and Prut tributaries ravines with its attractive landscapes, cascades, thresholds, caves; - Valley landscapes, with forests having rich vegetation, in the Central Moldovian and Tigheci Hills; - Steppe valley landscapes in the north and south of the Republic of Moldova; - Picturesque landscapes and of large variety from the Prut river valley. Protected natural areas: According to the Law on state protected natural areas fund (1998), in the Republic of Moldova are 12 categories of protected natural areas, 178 reserves and 130 monuments of nature. 433 secular trees, 269 plant species and 203 animal species are also addressed to the category of Monuments of nature. The natural framework of the Republic of Moldova represents numerous natural sectors, geologic formations and relief forms, flora and fauna species of great scientific value, having a special regime of protection. Presently, 126 plant species and 116 animal species are included in the second publication of the Red Book of the Republic of Moldova (2001). In the Republic there are 5 scientific reserves delimited: Codrii, Plaiul Fagului, Iagorlic, Prutul de Jos and Padurea Domneasca. As monuments of nature with a real ecologic, scientific, cultural and historic value and which represent important objectives of tourist interest can be mentioned: Emil Racovitza Cave, Rascov Complex, Ravine Duruitoarea, Stinca Mare Reef, Brinzeni Reefs, Buzdugeni, Burlanesti, Trinca, Fetesti Ravines. Monuments of nature hydrological: In total there are 31 hydrologic objectives declared, with a surface of about 100 ha: Cotova springs, Horodiste village spring, Plop village spring, Bursuc village spring and Mindic springs. Monuments of nature botanical: there are 13 forest sectors protected nature monuments, with a surface of 125,2 ha. The most representative are: Lipnic, Hirjauca-Sipoteni, Cuhuresti, Carasuseni, Rudi forests. Landscape reserves with a great value for tourism: Rudi Arionesti, Calaseuca, Valea Adinca, Saharna, La Castel, Fetesti, Suta de movile (one hundred of hillocks) and Trebujeni. A total of 144 monuments of natural heritage, representing a significant potential for tourism were identified in the Republic of Moldova. The rural area in the Republic of Moldova, with its agricultural communities and picturesque villages, represents an important source for: - performing of services for traditional accommodation of rural type; - offering of possibilities for visitors involvement in the rural activities and preoccupations; - familiarizing with local folklore, traditions and entertainment; - presenting local art, handicrafts with possibility to take active part in the process itself;

offering new possibilities to buy art products.

In the rural area of the Republic of Moldova exist lots of buildings constructed in traditional style, which, after an eventual reconstruction, might be used for tourists accommodation purposes. Vineyards represent as well an important tourist attraction in the rural area. Vines produced in the Republic of Moldova are well known and have a good reputation at the international scale. There are 142 vine factories, functioning in the Republic, 21 of which have good experience in receiving visitors. Here visitors have the possibility to study the technology of vine producing, have a look at the bottler process and, of course, to taste the final product. The Republic of Moldova offers to visitors chances top choose their favorite routes: cellars and underground towns, vine collections, diverse factories for producing vines, champagne, cognacs, balsams etc. the number of visitors is relatively low, but there exist the possibility to receive a much bigger number of visitors. Vine factories, in ensemble with afferent vineyards, included in the Vine road in the Republic of Moldova tourist route, represent an essential motivation to visit our country. Case study: in Glodeni district there are activities carried out in order to develop rural tourism. Together with international donor organizations there have been elaborated an Action Plan in this field. Local population provided financial means for building of hunting-lodges to support the development of hunting as sport activity. There are also private houses proposed as mini-hotels for visitors.