Carpathian Peace Park
Among all the dark thoughts I had two years ago on the day the war began, a bright one also slipped in. That thought gave birth to an idea. And that idea became an action plan alongside people who believe in peace and cooperation. The idea is called Bucovina Peace National Park.
I explored on foot the Carpathians that Ukraine and Romania share in the Bucovina region alongside these wonderful people. I looked for and found what unites us, rather than what divides us. I identified the area of scientific and cultural value for the future park. I brought on board professors from the natural sciences departments of the universities in Chernivtsi and Suceava. I brought together members of the administration of protected areas in Ukraine. I spoke with local and central authorities in both countries.
At a bilateral meeting last year, Mr Mircea Fechet, Romania’s environment minister, said that the peace park was a very good idea. Those at the transport ministry were initially reluctant, but became convinced that the park would not hinder the planned infrastructure. How could tourists from around the world come to visit the park if its surroundings had no road, electricity and tourism infrastructure?
I visited some of the local communities in both countries, and everyone is very enthusiastic about the park idea. They see it as an opportunity for nature to be protected so that it can continue to provide the resources they need, while also bringing tourists to supplement their income from the services and products those visitors will consume in the area.
We are currently working on the park’s scientific foundation study and on signing an MOU (memorandum of understanding), which must be signed by all the actors involved. The Peace Park is an extremely complex and sensitive project. It is a perfect example of ecological diplomacy that starts with non-state actors and gradually includes state actors, without whom the park cannot be established.
We hope that as many supporters, partners and ambassadors as possible will join us in this positive endeavour.
