Elaboration of the Ladoga Lake conservation strategy has a goalto promote sustainable development of the Ladoga region.
An objective of the project is to develop a Nature Conservation Strategy based on integrated analysis of the data available so as to promote rational nature use in the Ladoga Lake area (Leningrad region and Republic of Karelia).
The principal task of the first stage of the activities in the
Ladoga Lake area within the framework of co-operation between SPSN and WWF, Denmark is
to carry out integrated analysis of the present state of the environment in the
Ladoga Lake area and work out a Logical Framework Matrix for a large project (investment
package) aiming to promote long-term sane nature use and sustainable development in the
area. To fulfil the task a series of sub-tasks had to be defined, namely:
Detailed analysis of the state of the natural component in the area and its conservation level.
Analysis of the present demographic situation, its recent dynamics, employment level and patterns.
Analysis of the economic situation and plans for regional economic development, including industry, agriculture, forestry, tourism and recreation, transport.
Analysis of the regional and federal legal frameworks related to nature use and conservation.
Identification of the priority demands in the sphere of nature conservation and selection of the model objects, local areas for the implementation of pilot projects, as well as priority areas for the activities of BFN of SPNS.
Alongside with solving the tasks stated in the beginning of the project the present strategic document undertakes to answer the following three key questions: What is the general status of the natural component in the Ladoga Lake area? What are the prospects for the implementation of sustainable development principles in the area? What are the priority lines of international and cross-regional co-operation on Lake Ladoga and what resources are needed for this co-operation to be successful? An important task of the Document is to facilitate the process of finding of suitable ways for sustainable development of both human society and wild nature.
The Baltic Fund for Nature of SPNS together with WWF Denmark hope that his document will start discussion among interested organizations and public groups and facilitate finding of concrete ways to solve nature conservation problems. Basing on the developed strategy the BFN of SPNS in co-operation with its' partners is expecting to find Russian and international investors to sponsor implementation of the priority projects. The strategy is also designed as a source of information for regional and local authorities when considering expenditures of the local sources (eco-funds).
At the same time a number of related issues including development and harmonizing of environmental legislation, modernizing of existing industries, socio-economic development of municipalities may be worked out only if many concerned organizations are active in the process. Therefore, the strategy has been designed the way it can be used by different organizations and people as a source of information about the Ladoga region.
BFN of SPNS is planning to continue updating the database on the Ladoga region values and call for cooperation all interested parties in order to achieve the major goal - sustainable development in the region.
