Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
Peter RUPITSCH
Sustainable Summits Conference NZ 2016
Protection and Sustainable Development
Alpine Convention:
international treaty between the Alpine Countries: Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Slovenia, Switzerland and European Union
embracing the environmental, social, economic and cultural dimensions of the Alps
90.912 sq.km (less than 20% suitable for settlements)
seven countries, 83 regions
about 6,200 communities the natural, cultural, living and economic environment for nearly 14
million people
unique combination of natural diversity 30.000 animal species, 13.000 plant species (388 endemic) 20% protected areas
and cultural history (linguistic diversity: many languages and dialects)
water (Europe`s water reservoir) and wood reserves an attractive tourist destination for approximately 120 million guests
every year
The Alps
Population
Alpine inhabitantsSurface (km2) of the Alpine
area
Austria 3,318,045 54,592
France 2,683,801 40,801
Germany 1,476,519 11,160
Italy 4,364,538 51,995
Liechtenstein 36,838 160
Monaco 36,950 2
Slovenia 385,973 6,766.6
Switzerland 1,929,424 25,211
Alps 14,232,088 190,717
Source: national statistical institutes, year 2013 (1st January).Data for Slovenia refer to the part of municipalities belonging to the Alpine Convention.
Rapid growth
is to be observed in both the main urban centres and the low-altitude locations in the mountain valleys,
while the small communities in the mountains proper are shrinking at a growing rate.
Population growth in the mountains is only to be found in a small number of communities where tourism is a main source of income for the local people
• Natural change alone is not sufficient• In areas with the most 65+ population, population loss is also
tendentially more severe.• Where population grows, is in the most cases due to in-
migration phenomena
• .
urban growth and rural decrease
Framework Convention
Spatial planning and sustainable develop‐ment
Conserva‐tion of
nature and countryside
Mountain farming
Mountain forests
Energy
Tourism
Soil conserva‐
tion
Transport
Decl. climate change
Decl. population and culture
Protocols and declarations
ALPARC ‐ Alpine Network of Protected Areas
gathers all categories of protected areas of large size within the Alpine Convention area.
since 1995: intensive exchange between the alpine parks, nature reserves, biosphere reserves, institutions of nature protection, local actors, populations and scientists.
2.373 km² ~ 2,83 % of the national territory
Glaciers Lakes
no access (0,25%)
Silene acaulis
Core Zone
Maintenance of natural ecological and evolutionary processes without human interference (IUCN Cat. II)
Core Zone
Maintenance of natural ecological and evolutionary processes without human interference (IUCN Cat. II)
Buffer Zone
Protection and sustainable management of a traditional cultural landscape for the conservation of a high biological diversity (IUCN Cat. V)
Buffer Zone
Protection and sustainable management of a traditional cultural landscape for the conservation of a high biological diversity (IUCN Cat. V)
Communities
Maintenance of a diverse cultural landscape for sustain-able rural development securing the ecological and economic foundation of the region and strengthening the quality of life and the cultural identity of its people
Communities
Maintenance of a diverse cultural landscape for sustain-able rural development securing the ecological and economic foundation of the region and strengthening the quality of life and the cultural identity of its people
Management GoalsN
atio
nal P
ark
Reg
ion
No watercrafts Installation for energy generation - except for alpine huts no dams (hydro electric)
No Cable cars, ski lifts, ski runs except ski-touring
No motorised aircraft no helicopters (except for supply of huts and
emergencies)
No motorised vehicles (except for agriculture, forestry and NP-Management)
generally prohibited (Austrian NP‐System)
Planned Hydro‐power stations
Planned water intakes
Planned Hydro‐power stations
Planned water intakes
State/Federal Governments
Private OthersIndividualsCommunes Alpine Club
Carinthia 1% 84% 13% 2%
Salzburg 35%* 59% 6% 0%
Tyrol 0% 54% 46% 0%
Total 16% 62% 21% 1%
* owned by Austrian Federal Forests which operates as private enterprise.
land ownership
Surface area: 1,856 km²/180 km² glaciers/766 moors/848 lakes/approx. 15,000 animal species/approx. 1,500 plant species
ibex capra
back again: bearded vulture
Luchs
Wolf
Bär
Discussion
Tourism
1800: first ascent of Grossglockner - the highest mountain of Austria (3.798m) primarely for scientific reasons
1840 - 1860: beginning of alpine tourism : the first alpine huts (shelters) are bulit; a mountain guide club has been founded
1930-35: the Grossglockner high alpine road opend the area to masstourism
1981: Hohe Tauern National Park has been founded – 1st NP in Austria!
9 Mio. Overnight‐stayings per year (45 % summer, 55 % winter)
~ 80 huts (3.000 beds)
Grossglockner High Alpine Road 1935
Austrian law form 1921: free acces above the tree line
Persuasion and example rather than by law or regulation
two typs:
1. Day-trippers (by car) - mainly in summer
2. hikers, mountaineers, …
Visitor Management
Challange: maximize the benefits and minimize the harm!
Main visitor attraction , open from May to October, ..
One of the most senic routes in Europe, reaching 2.576 m
80% owned by the state, 20% by the provinces of Salzburg and Carinthia Toll road
900.000 visitors, down from a peak of 1,5 million in the early 1960s and 1,3 in the early 1990s (fall of the eastern-border)
Road is excluded from the park,
close coorperation
Grossglockner High Alpin Road
Visitor Center
Sereral visitor centers Selfguiding trails Guided tours ….
Services
visitor centers Selfguiding trails Guided tours ….
Nature trailsInformation pointsInformation/education centres
Visitor facilities
IUCN: Good Practice
Sustainable Mobility Services
Why?Sustainable visitor‐service during their national park vacation withsustainable mobility systems
How?Partnership:
International: Deutsche Bahn (German Railway Association) national: regional tourism board , Austrian Alpine Club, Parkmanagement
Funded by the Ministry of Environment (klima-fonds)
holidays by train
special ticketing by DEUTSCHE and OESTERREICHISCHE BAHN toraise train arrivals in the park region
Sustainable Mobility Services
Nationalpark Bus
xxx
An integrated transport system, based on high frequence „fixed lines“ and lowfrequence „call services“
service for hikers and park-visitors to reach the park-entry points without owncar.
Alpine Trails
Alpe‐Adria‐Trail The Alpe-Adria-Trail is the joint flagship hiking project of the three countries
Carinthia, Slovenia and Friuli (Italy).
With a length of almost 700km, the trail is connecting the shiftinglandscapes and cultures in three countries from the glacier to the adriaticsea.
8 hiking stages are winding through the carinthian part of the Hohe Tauern National Park, followed by 5 stages, crossing the Triglav National Park
The trail management is running a booking-centre, which offers flexible andsustainable trail services (including luggage transport) along the whole trail.
Founded 2012, the trail has been yet ranked by the National GeographicTraveller several times; this year „TOP 10“ among „Best New Trails“.
Starting point
Alpe‐Adria‐Trail:Stage 2: mountain farmer landscape with a special hertige site:
high alpine mills at Apriach
NP Hohe Tauern NP Triglav
Soca River Adriatic Sea
Create a walking route across three countries, all of them celebratedfor their glossy landscapes and strong cultures, and you´re left withsomething a bit special. The new Alpe‐Adria‐Trail threads a paththrough parts of Austria, Slovenia and Italy, beginning beneath thesnow‐tipped immensity of the Grossglockner in the Central Alps andfinishing at the fishingharbour of Muggia in the Adriatic Coast. That´s quite a journey!
National Geographic Traveller
World´s Best Hikes
Natur Experience
Objectives Quality Partnership Education/Training Research
Protected Areas and Tourism: added value!!!
