Civil Society Urges Protection for Threatened Făget Area in Romania
Today, nature protection NGOs, scientists and activists, sent an open letter urging the Romanian Minister of Environment, Water and Forests to designate the new Natura 2000 protected area “Făget Sud – Colonia Făget” and, until designation, to ensure its protection.
The area borders the Natura 2000 protected area “Făgetul Clujului – Valea Morii” (1,686 hectares). Both areas are covered by biodiversity rich grasslands and forests harbouring rare and endangered species. They are currently targeted for real estate development and road construction projects that would have massive environmental impacts. They include a residential district with over 300 houses, a civic space/park covered largely by concrete (4000 m²) and a highway exit road cutting through the existing and future protected area as well as four villages. More projects are in the pipeline, as the built-in area of Ciurila Commune has been extended with 400 ha, up to the very limit of the protected area Făgetul Clujului, over an ecological corridor and protected habitats.
The proposal for the “Făget Sud – Colonia Făget” protected area (822 hectares), submitted by nature defender Alina Chiriac and NGO FCN2000, was positively endorsed by the Romanian Academy in February 2024. This crucial endorsement is usually followed by the designation by the Ministry of Environment. But in this case official designation is delayed for unknown reasons. Meanwhile, habitats and species in this area are under attack through grassland burning, illegal logging and uncontrolled urban sprawl.
Romania is fast approaching a trial before the EU Court of Justice for failing to protect its habitats and species of EU conservation interest both inside and outside protected areas. In October 2024, the European Commission sent a reasoned opinion to Romania for failing to fully transpose the Habitats Directive (Directive 92/43/EEC) into national law. The Romanian government now has less than a month left to take corrective action. The situation of the “Făget Sud – Colonia Făget” area perfectly illustrates the problem – in recent months, several cases of degradation and damage to protected habitats have been reported there, without the competent institutions taking any measures. The designation of the new protected area is the only solution that can timely stop the destruction and ensure real protection of this valuable natural heritage.
The civil society group is therefore calling on the Romanian Minister of Environment, Water and Forests to prioritize nature conservation over private interests and to urgently proceed with the designation of ROSCI “Făget Sud – Colonia Făget” Natura 2000 protected area. Lack of action would not only endanger a natural area of great biodiversity, climatic and recreational value, but it would also expose Romania to EU sanctions.
Press contact:
Ines Gavrilut
ines.gavrilut@bmf.ch, +41 61 316 3078
Additional information:
– Civil Society Open Letter to the Romanian Ministry of Environment, Water and Forests