Maramures, Romania
About the Project Area
Contact
(Project Manager One Europe More Nature RO)
WWF Danube-Carpathian Programme Office (DCPO),
Romania
T: +40 262 224035
© Pop Emil
Location: 1470 km2 in the Oas-Gutai Plateau, Northern Carpathian Mountains, Northwest Romania (near the Ukraine border). The area also represents the headwaters of the Tisza River.
Human presence
• Approximate rural population: 68,000 (46 inhabitants per km2)
• The plateau itself is largely uninhabited while surrounded by small settlements
• While the project focuses on rural areas, the area also includes these cities: Baia Mare (pop. 145,000), Baia Sprie (15,900) and Sighetu Marmatiei (42,500)
• Rural incomes are generally low and unemployment is high
• The region has a rich cultural heritage with traditions linked to nature. In fact, many of its beautiful landscapes and species were largely shaped through traditional practices and local customs. Notable traditional architecture and products include carved wooden gates, UNESCO heritage wooden churches, peasant wooden devices and folk clothing.
Significant landscapes, habitats and species
• The plateau’s outstanding fauna and flora is one of the richest and most varied in Europe
• Includes Romania’s biggest protected landscape area after the Danube Delta
• Mountain plateau patchwork of forests, grasslands and wetlands:
1. Forests (76.503 ha): includes natural beech and oak complexes and vital habitat for flagship large carnivores of the Carpathians such as bears, wolves and lynx
2. Grasslands (sub-alpine meadows and pastures) (71.000 ha): perfect breading grounds for many important bird species such as Corncrake, and hunting areas for large raptors such as the Golden Eagle
3. Plateau wetlands (260 ha): 56 peat bogs with a rich fauna including protected amphibians and reptiles such as the Carpathian Newt and Viper and carnivorous plants from the glacial era
Key economic sectors and resources
General: The economy and traditional sources of subsistence of the small settlements are based primarily on the use of the plateau’s natural resources derived from forests and grasslands. The nearby cities also depend on the plateau for many resources and services.
Forests: These have long provided local residents and companies (including IKEA) with a range of products and services, especially: timber for building materials and fuel; and the picking, harvesting and processing of wild foods (e.g. herbs, wild berries, mushrooms, medicinal plants).
Grasslands: Rural farmers have for centuries tended herds of regionally-specific Maramures brown cattle (`Bruna de Maramures´) using traditional practices for meat and dairy products. These cattle farms shaped the creation of rich meadow ecosystems for a variety of protected plant, bird and animal species. Sheep have also been grazed for centuries, providing locals with cheese and wool used for traditional clothing, handicrafts and household goods (e.g. handmade blankets and carpets).
Other economic activities:
• Dairy and meat processing
• Eco-tourism is on the rise with mountain health resorts, a spa, three rural tourism networks with over 350 accommodation possibilities and handicraft sales. The target is for tourists to experience a rich and diverse mix of landscapes, recreational opportunities and culture.
• Other large companies working in the area include large supermarkets (many foreign-based chains) and ITALSOFA.
• Small subsistence farming for homes, either in their yards or near villages.
Other `ecological services´ provided by the area:
• Wetlands, working like a sponge, help retain rain waters and thereby reduce flood impacts downstream.
• The plateau’s springs provide fresh, clean water to residents of the project area villages and Baia Mare.
• Forests and grasslands prevent soil erosion
• Genetic resources for biodiversity
