The first national action plan for the conservation of the Red-breasted Goose is already a fact.The plan was developed by the Romanian Ornithological Society, and the activity is coordinated by the Ministry of Environment, Water and Forests, a partner in the project.The document was approved by Ministerial Order No. 2480/2022 and published in the State Gazette as part of the project LIFE16 NAT/BG/000847 “LIFE for Safe Flight”.
SOR biologists worked for two years to develop this action plan and all the information gathered in this document is the result of monitoring and research activities carried out for more than 30 years by SOR and its partners in Romania.
A number of meetings were held with institutions interested in the development of this plan, such as hunting associations, nature parks and scientific institutes in the field of nature conservation. The document, approved by a ministerial order, includes information on the conservation status of the species and its distribution, the main threats, as well as the measures to protect it that must be implemented in the next 10 years. The national action plan includes 27 conservation measures to protect the species, including a series of research and monitoring activities. In addition to these actions, which are extremely important for the existence of the species, there are also activities that aim to inform local communities about the importance of protecting the species in key areas, as well as activities to improve and stimulate the development of nature-based tourism.
Clear parameters are provided for the implementation of the 27 measures: priority, deadline and institutions responsible for their solution. Among the objectives of this plan are: improving the conservation status of the Red-breasted Goose and its habitats, preventing the fragmentation of Specially Protected Areas (SPAs), reducing disturbance resulting from various anthropogenic activities, increasing the level of awareness and increasing public awareness about the importance of Red-breasted Goose conservation, as well as promoting sustainable ecotourism for local communities.
The national action plan will be implemented mainly in the south-eastern part of the country, where the Red-breasted Goose population winters.
We are talking about the regions of Baragan, the Danube Delta and Dobruja Coastal Region. The project “Life for Safe Flight” unites organizations from all countries along the migration path of Red-breasted Goose: Russia, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Romania and Bulgaria. In Romania, participating organizations and institutions are: Romanian Ornithological Society, AGVPS, Ministry of Environment and Balta Mică a Brăilei Natural Park.
