Russian Ecotours. An Overview over Ecological Tourism on the Way to Russia

Transcription

1 University of Applied Sciences Eberswalde Master s program Sustainable Tourism Management Russian Ecotours An Overview over Ecological Tourism on the Way to Russia Module 6: Ecotourism and Rural Tourism Alexandra Hilf Matr.Nr /18/2004 Lecturer: Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Strasdas

2 Module 6 Ecotourism and Rural Tourism Alexandra Hilf 2 Content 1 What is ecotourism? Protected areas in Russia Introduction to protected areas in Russia Ecotourism in protected areas of Russia Ecological Travels Centre Organization "Green Ring of Moscow" Project Ecotourism Development Fund Dersu Uzala Organization UNDP Project in Kamchatka Conclusion References...17

3 Module 6 Ecotourism and Rural Tourism Alexandra Hilf 3 1 What is ecotourism? Tourism has become one of the largest global economic activities. On one hand it can destroy fragile environments, ancient cultures and ruin indigenous economies. On the other hand, ecologically sound tourism is a way of paying for nature conservation and increasing the value of land left natural. Still, alienation of local people and the risk of hit-and-run tourism is a big threat. The roots of ecotourism lie in nature and outdoor tourism. In the beginning, ecological tours were understood as those that occur in protected areas, with the main touristic activities being observation and study of nature (BASANETS 2002). But it is more than just natural tourism, which is any tourism that includes nature related activities in an attractive environment (STECKER 1996). Today, more and more tourists are concerned about the environment of the places they visit. They become aware of the economic and social impacts that their stay might have on the local people. The international ecotourism society (TIES) describes ecological tourism as responsible travel to natural areas which conserves the environment and improves the welfare of local people. Ecotourism is about creating and satisfying a hunger for nature, about exploiting tourism s potential for conservation and development, and about averting its negative impact on ecology, culture and aesthetics (WESTERN 1993). Over the last decades, ecological tourism has become more popular all over the world. The definition of ecotourism is becoming wider. It is a mixture of interests arising out of environmental, economic and social concerns. Recently, ecotourism is shifting from a definition of small-scale nature tourism to a set of principles applicable to any nature-related tourism. Those principles are dealing with balancing tourism, conservation and culture (STECKER 1996, WESTERN 1993): minimize ecological, social and cultural negative impacts create income for the local people promote the rural regional development create monetary means to protect natural resources increase the awareness of all those who are involved for environmental issues increase the willingness of politicians to act within the nature conservation area Therefore ecotourism can be called a special tourism segment with high idealistic demands.

4 Module 6 Ecotourism and Rural Tourism Alexandra Hilf 4 2 Protected areas in Russia 2.1 Introduction to protected areas in Russia The Russian Federation is the world's largest country, occupying more than km². One can find ecosystems of nine biomes there, which include polar desert, arctic and subarctic tundra, forest-tundra, taiga, broad-leaf forest, forest-steppe, steppe, semidesert, and desert (SHESTAKOV 2003). There are habitats of many endemic, rare, and endangered species of plants and animals included in the IUCN Red Book and the Red Book of Russia (walrus, grey seal, white bear, rare species of geese, including black geese, swan, carnivorous birds, etc.). Over 15.5 thousand protected areas ensure the protection of this high biodiversity. In the Russian system of spatial environment conservation protected areas occupy a special place. Their development began in the early 20th century and has been established in the country since the end of the century. The history of the Russian present-day network of protected areas, including SPNA (special protected natural areas), began just one hundred years ago. Figure 1 shows the different types of categories and their correspondence with those of the IUCN. The first SSNR (state strict nature reserves zapovednik) was established in 1916: the Barguzinskiy State Strict Nature Reserve (Lake Baikal). Since then, the network has been built up. Figure 1: Correspondence between Categories of SPNA in Russia and IUCN Protectes Area Management Categories (SHESTAKOV 2003)

5 Module 6 Ecotourism and Rural Tourism Alexandra Hilf 5 The different categories of protected areas, including SPNA, have increased both in number and area. At present, main SPNA categories are specified by Federal Law On Specially Protected Natural Areas, other federal acts as well as by laws of Russian Federation regions. Special protected natural areas of all categories make up more than 11 % of the country's territory in 2003 (SHESTAKOV 2003). In figure 1 the different categories of Russian PA are shown. Figure 2: Number and size of specially protected natural areas in Russia (as of the beginning of 2003) (SHESTAKOV 2003) The main categories of protected areas differ in their protection regimes and land management as well as in functions and basic management purposes. While others are universal, some of them are characteristic of unique given categories. Figure 2 shows the main activities (management purposes) of various SPNA categories specified by the Federal Law. Note that tourism has priority in national parks, nature parks and curative & sanative lands & resorts. Figure 3: Management purposes of SPNA of Russia (SHESTAKOV 2003)

6 Module 6 Ecotourism and Rural Tourism Alexandra Hilf 6 The present-day practice of nature conservation regularly deals with issues of legal regulation of ecological tourism in SPNA, mainly in zapovedniks (SSNR) and national parks. Tourism is allowed in all kinds of protected areas in accordance with the SPNA and tourism laws, and statutes of SPNA (it must not violate the regime of SPNA and contradict their purposes) (SHESTAKOV 2003). Some basic terms of tourist activities are defined in figure 3: Figure 4: Basic terms of tourist activities as they are stated in the Federal Law On Basis of Tourist Acitivites in the Russian Federation, Nov (SHESTAKOV 2003) Tourist activities in zapovedniks (SSNR) are based on the Federal Law On Specially Protected Natural Areas and the Civil Code of the Russian Federation, which allow environmental education and activities for its implementation and business if it helps achieve the purposes of SSNR. Therefore visits are not completely prohibited. Ecological tourism is always seen as connected to environmental education. Even in the state strict nature reserves/zapovedniks organizing excursions and establishing museums of nature as well as expositions is allowed as part of environmental education. SHESTAKOV (2003) lists some recommendations on organising and performing environmental education: 1. tourist activities and excursions are allowed, taking into account the size, traditions, and specific natural and socio-economic conditions 2. limits of visiting, establishment of excursion routes in accordance with the established procedure 3. list and description of excursion routes within zapovedniks are attached to the statute of SSNR

7 Module 6 Ecotourism and Rural Tourism Alexandra Hilf 7 4. ensure maximum protection of protected properties through: assigned areas allowed for visiting establishing of ecological passes and routes informational stands along ecological routes to provide required information establishing of special rules of conduct for visitors, limited number of visits permanent control and monitoring 5. SSNR which have protection zones, biosphere polygons, state nature reserves, or natural monuments suitable for environmental education carries out such activities mostly in the above-mentioned areas 6. excursions and tourist activities in SSNR are completely focused on cognition. Sports or other activities (including adventure tourism) is not allowed. [note: if necessary, exceptions to the rule may be set up] Tourist activities in nature parks are treated slightly different than in zapovedniks. Here, ecological tourism is one of the major tasks. It is seen as an instrument of nature conservation and environmental education. For more information about the legal basis of the Russian system of protected areas, relevant terms, regulation of economic activities, protection regimes of the different categories, management, and relations to world analogues see SHESTAKOV (2003).

8 Module 6 Ecotourism and Rural Tourism Alexandra Hilf Ecotourism in protected areas of Russia As mentioned in chapter 2.1 protected areas of Russia host a variety of endemic and endangered plants and animals. Those species, like the Amur tiger (see figure 5), bear, wolf, Baikal Seal, lotus and ginseng are the main attractions for ecotourists. Places where one can find these species belong to the hot spots of ecotourism throughout Russia. Figure 6 shows the distribution of those ecotourism hot spots across Russia. Figure 5: Amur Tiger in the Russian Far East Figure 6: Ecotourism hot spots in Russia [Broschure 1] Since no human interference was permitted in most of these areas for over 70 years (with the exception of scientists), they offer the opportunity of experiencing untouched nature. In the 1990 s, state funding for PA has dramatically decreased, which put their very existence under threat. Fortunately ecological tourism in national parks and in buffer zones of nature reserves has recently become a legal and welcome means to survival [Brochure 2]. Russian protected area managers have only recently started realising the advantages of developing ecotourism within protected areas. In reserves only certain type of tours may be organised for a limited number of tourists. Those tours include organized birdwatching and scientific tours as well as short-term excursions. Therefore the development of ecotourism in Russian reserves is limited. BASANETS suggests to develop ecotourism in the adjacent territory, where the main infrastructure is built. The reserve then could become a place of interest and destination of the excursions.

9 Module 6 Ecotourism and Rural Tourism Alexandra Hilf 9 Russian national parks, though, have more advantages to develop ecotourism. The "National park" category is similar to "national park" definition of IUCN (see figure 1). One of the main objectives of the national parks is the promotion of the controllable tourism and ecological education. National Parks are therefore the most promising category in terms of implementing ecotourism programs. In general, Russian National Parks face the problems typical to newly established protected areas in other countries (BASANETS 2002). Russian parks have a very low number of visits, compared to other countries. This is due to the low level of infrastructure and services rather than a low level of interest in the natural heritage. Most visitors of these parks are Russians. Unlike ecotours in other countries, which aim at nature observation, the most popular tours in Russia are sport hiking and rafting. Travels on motorized vehicles are practised in more than 50 % of the parks, and only five or six parks (of 35 established) develop ecotourism itself. In the Russian Federation genuine ecotourism is poorly developed. LEDOVSKIH, MORALEVA & DROZDOV (2002; in: BASANETS 2002) name the main reasons as the following: lack of the common conception of ecotourism, lack of information on the international and national levels, lack of a clear national strategy, little demand for the ecological tours until very recently. According to BASANETS (2002) the most serious problems of Russian national parks are: lack of infrastructure and its low quality (hotels, lodges, transportation, equipped trails). With Summer camps making up 36 %, it means that the recreation is limited to summer months in most of the parks. lack of information on the regions where ecological programs are developed and on the places of interest within the territory of parks. lack of tourist information on endemic and endangered species with comments. parks have few possibilities to represent themselves on the national and international market of ecotourism. One of the main reasons for that is lack of financial support, as well as insufficient coordination among parks. lack of knowledge, information and experience concerning ecotourism. parks do not offer additional services that would help to increase income and increase the satisfaction of visitors, such as different types of sightseeing tours, souvenir shops, rental services, etc. It is evident that many problems in Russian national parks emerge because of problems in funding and budget. For more information on ecotourism as part of PA management and means of data collection see BASANETS 2002.

10 Module 6 Ecotourism and Rural Tourism Alexandra Hilf 10 3 Ecological Travels Centre 3.1 Organization The Ecological Travels Centre (ETC) is a non-governmental, non-profit organization (NGO), created in 1997 with support of Moscow State University and Biodiversity Conservation Centre and under the patronage of the Russian Environmental State Committee [Brochure 1]. Their main goal is the development of scientific and cognitive tourism in Russian national parks and reserves. Ecotourism acts as a means to support nature protected areas, to promote social and economic development of local communities and strengthen environmental education of the Russian population. ETC also aims at the expansion of their contacts with each other, with Russian and international nature protection organizations, with Russian and foreign scientific centres, universities and with ecotourism associations. The ecological travels centre works out educational student practice and ecological travels as a soft form of ecotourism in Russian protected areas (PA). The development of ecological travels in protected areas is considered as one possible way to provide them with additional non-budget financing. ETC employees are ecologists from Moscow State University, the Russian Academy of Sciences, and other organizations in Russia. They are also trained in travel management. They have built up a net work with a number of universities like Warsaw, Münster, Würzburg, Bonn, Aberdeen, Plymouth, and Marburg. The organization is interested in collaborating with other state and non-governmental organizations, in working up joint projects, and developing of ecotourism activities, which favours the sustainable development and biodiversity conservation in Russia [Internet source 1]. To assist Russian reserves in their ecotourism activities the Ecological Travels Centre organizes training workshops and provides them with expert assistance. They inform visitors about ecotourism opportunities of Russian nature reserves, provide illustrated books, video-films and multimedia presentations as well as conferences. The ETC arranges ecological travels in Russia, focussing mainly at protected nature areas. Most popular are weekend trips, bird watching tours, wildlife viewing, excursions in botany, archaeology, ethnography, and culture, as well as filming, rafting, mountaineering, horseback riding or fishing and boating. They offer short and long trips and excursions where travellers can see various natural complexes, plants and animals and can also get acquainted with the lifestyle of the local population.

11 Module 6 Ecotourism and Rural Tourism Alexandra Hilf 11 The Ecological Travels Centre hires experienced guides, which have a deep knowledge of the land and the fragile ecosystems. Most of the profit goes to biodiversity conservation, to nature protection in visited areas. In their opinion only the development of soft ecological tourism will provide additional means and opportunities for the survival of the indigenous people and their environment. Participating in their travels is being involved in saving of nature and further preservation of original culture of small peoples [Internet source 1]. The Ecological Travels Centre is participating in several environmental projects supported by the Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF), TACIS Partnership and Co-ordination Programme, Federal Agency For Nature Conservation (Germany). ETC also works closely together with the Travel Agency "Green Net", Pangaea, and The Ecotourism Development Fund Dersu Uzala (see chapter 4).

12 Module 6 Ecotourism and Rural Tourism Alexandra Hilf "Green Ring of Moscow" Project The ETC project "Green Ring of Moscow" focuses on ecotourism development in seven protected natural areas close to the Russian capital. Within those seven protected areas are three nature reserves (Oksky, Prioksko-Terrasny and Central Forest) as well as four national parks ( Ugra, Meshchera, Pleshcheevo Ozero and Smolenskoye Poozerye ). Every area has its own distinctive features, like relict old spruce forests, oak and pine forests, rare plant, animal and bird species, picturesque landscapes, bison breeding centres, a rehabilitation centre for orphaned bear cubs, a breeding centre for rare crane species as well as museums and monasteries. Each territory offers educational programs. These programs were developed by the staff of nature reserves and national parks together with the ETC. Within the framework of the Green Ring of Moscow project and as a result of it, an Information Centre Green Ring of Moscow was organized as a section of the Ecological Travels Centre [Internet source 1]. The project was financed by the Institute of Sustainable Communities of Montpelier (ISC), Vermont U.S.A., the U.S. Agency of International Development (USAID) and the scientific information centre Agronomical Consulting (Moscow). The project results are as follows: ecological cognitive programs for seven PAs of the "Ring" have been designed an educational workshop on ecotourism for PA staff was conducted a guidebook "Green Ring of Moscow" has been published (Russian and English versions); edition units an Internet-site devoted to "Green Ring" PAs has been designed an Information Centre "Green Ring of Moscow" has been established

13 Module 6 Ecotourism and Rural Tourism Alexandra Hilf 13 Parts of the Green Ring [Internet source 1] CENTRAL FOREST RESERVE The Central Forest State Nature Biosphere Reserve, one of the oldest in Russia, is situated within untouched by civilization, the original southern taiga forest developed naturally over thousands of years PLESHCHEYEVO OZERO Pleshcheyevo lake has been called the Pearl of Zalesye since long ago. On it s banks the national park Pleshcheyevo ozero is situated. It was the first Russian national park established for preservation not only natural, but also historical and cultural resources. NATIONAL PARK MESHCHERA The Meshchera is named after Finno-Ugric tribes, which populated the land 1000 years ago. Spread across this land are thick forests, mysterious lakes, clean rivers and flood-plain watermeadows. OKSKY RESERVE In the southeastern part of Meshchera among thick forests and boundless water-meadows of the Oka flood-plain there is a surprisingly beautiful and diverse natural area - Oksky Biosphere State Nature, established to preserve the local population of desman an endemic species of Russia... PRIOKSKO-TERRASNY RESERVE On the left bank of the Oka river not far from Serpukhov town is situated the only in Moscow region Prioksko-Terrasny State Nature Biosphere Reserve. A unique community of steppe plants has remained there within a small area called Doly NATIONAL PARK UGRA The water of the Ugra and Zhizdra rivers flows among forests and meadows. These picturesque valleys are attractive not only for the beauty of their landscapes. They witnessed events that became important marks in the history of the Russian state. SMOLENSKOYE POOZERYE In the west of the Russian Plain northwards from Smolensk there is a land of breath-taking beauty Poozerye (Land of Lakes). The initial calmness of these realms is disturbed only by the singing of birds. Wherever you look there is only the blueness of lakes, emerald-green sheets of grasses, cloudless blue sky and dark greenness of forests. RIVERHEADS OF GREAT RIVERS In the northwest of Valday Hills not far from each other are the riverheads of 3 prominent Russian rivers. They are the Volga, Zapadnaya Dvina and Dnieper.

14 Module 6 Ecotourism and Rural Tourism Alexandra Hilf 14 4 Ecotourism Development Fund Dersu Uzala 4.1 Organization The Ecotourism Development Fund "Dersu Uzala" is a Russian non-government organization and was established in the framework of environmental projects of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). In addition, invaluable support was rendered by the Russian Branch of the International Union of Nature Conservation (IUCN) and the Citizens Democracy Corps. It is named after the native guide of scientist and traveller Vladimir Arsenyev, Dersu Uzala. Today Dersu Uzala is a folk hero, a symbol of how a man can live in simple harmony with nature [Broschure 2] The principles of this development fund include observing of the carrying capacity of every area visited, practising minimal impact camping techniques, respecting local customs and traditions, ensuring that a large share of the revenues remains in the communities visited as well as providing an educational component in every tour they offer. The fund s interest lies in establishing the effective development of sustainable tourism in Russia [Internet source 2]. Their activities include the following: organization of ecotours, which support Russian nature reserves and local communities organization of student practices and volunteer expeditions in Russian nature reserves implementation of ecotourism development projects in different regions publishing of books, articles and films about Russian protected areas and possibilities to visit there education of the Russian general public about conservation issues through regular use of mass media, workshops, and conferences According to the initiative of the WWF Far Eastern Program and Dersu Uzala, the Russian Ecotourism Association was founded in Unfortunately it was not possible to gain any information other than its name about this association neither by literature nor internet.

15 Module 6 Ecotourism and Rural Tourism Alexandra Hilf UNDP Project in Kamchatka Together with various organizations and institutions, such as the Russian Association of Ecological Ecotourism, Moscow State University, the Institute of Geography of the Russian Academy of Science, the development fund Dersu Uzala is involved in the United Nations Development Program. The project is titled Demonstrating sustainable conservation of biological diversity in four protected areas of Russia s Kamchatka oblast. The project activities are coordinated by the IUCN, the World Conservation Union. The six main objectives are: to strengthen protected area management capacity to upgrade biodiversity information and its management to strengthen protected area financing to strengthen legal, regulatory and policy base to heighten biodiversity awareness and advocacy to develop enabling mechanisms to support alternative livelihoods and community based conservation [Brochure 4; Internet source 4] The outstanding biodiversity of the Kamchatka peninsula was protected by its remoteness, rugged landscape and later military importance of the region. The project began with the development of an ecotourism development plan, which included a market analysis as well as an estimation of the carrying capacity of the area. This way they wanted to ensure visitor traffic will not be so high as to damage the fragile ecosystems. Main obstacles are the underdeveloped infrastructure and tourist facilities. Here, ecotourism is an approach to combine biodiversity conservation and regional economic development. Special tour programs include animal watching, research programs, practical conservation and volunteer programs, as well as geological and ethnographic excursions. Rules of behaviour for tourists have also been developed. The local communities and indigenous people are encouraged to take part in and benefit from those activities, their participation is crucial to the realization of the project. Together with the IUCN and other partners Dersu Uzala offers a number of ecotours within this project. For more detailed information on those tours see Ecotourism Development Fund Dersu Uzala : Ecotourism in Kamchatka UNDP Project [Brochure 3].

16 Module 6 Ecotourism and Rural Tourism Alexandra Hilf 16 Conclusion Of the seven types of protected areas in the Russian federation reserves and national parks have more possibilities than others to develop ecological recreation. Their main objective is observation and study of the nature as well as interpretative and educational work with the visitors (BASANETS 2002). As mentioned in chapter 2.2 genuine ecotourism in the Russian Federation is poorly developed. The main reasons are lack of conception, information and strategy. Also there is only a very little demand for ecotours. Most tourists visiting the parks are Russians. Their interest still lies in activities such as hunting, fishing and boating as well as car trips and helicopter rides. Travels on motorized vehicles are practised in more than 50 % of the parks, and only 5 or 6 parks (of 35 established) develop ecotourism itself! Most of the income is made by selling fishing and hunting licenses. Up to today, it is not clear if those activities can be counted as genuine ecotourism. Further studies will be needed in this field. Russian national parks are managed by the government, there are no private protected areas in Russia. Due to the lack of financial support and staff they depend upon volunteers. The financial situation does not allow them to develop a proper infrastructure. According to data collected in 2001, out of 32 parks which have trails only 26 parks report that their trails are well developed and ready to be used. Since there are only a few numbers of tourist visiting, habitat degradation is not a problem yet. Russian parks experience less problems linked with excessive tourism pressure. The managers of protects areas do not have a lot of experience in organizing ecotourism, they have only just started. Therefore they should take advantage of the other countries experiences in dealing with ecotourism and evoking problems. There are a few positive examples on how ecotourism can successfully be introduced to Russian PAs. The work of the Ecological Travels Centre and the Ecotourism Development Fund Dersu Uzala are very promising. Hence, one can say that ecotourism is on its way to Russia, but is has not been fully established yet. A lot of work still has to be done until ecotourism can be a substantial part of Russian environmental education and serve as a mean of income for local people and nature conservation.

17 Module 6 Ecotourism and Rural Tourism Alexandra Hilf 17 References Literature BASANETS, L. (2002): Russian protected areas as part of the world ecotourism system.- Ecoclub.com E-paper series, Nr.3, November 2002; LEDOVSKIH, E. U.; MORALEVA, N. V.; DROZDOV, A. V. (2002): Ecological tourism on the way to Russia. Principles, recommendations, international and Russian experience. Grif and Co, Tula. 293 pages SHESTAKOV, A. S. (Ed) (2003): Protected areas in Russia: Legal regulation. An overview of federal laws.- KMK Scientific Press Ltd., Moscow 2003 STECKER, B. (1996): Ökotourismus: Potential für Schutz und nachhaltige Nutzung der Tropenwälder.- Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ) GmbH; Eschborn, p.1-3 WESTERN, D. (1993): Defining Ecotourism.-in: Ecotourism: A guide for planners and managers Volume 1. The Ecotourism Society, LINDBERG, K. & HAWKINS, D. E. (Eds) Brochures [1] Ecological Travels Centre: Ecotourism in Russia [2] Ecotourism Development Fund Dersu Uzala : Ecotours in Russia [3] Ecotourism Development Fund Dersu Uzala : Ecotourism in Kamchatka UNDP Project [4] UNDP (United Nations Development Program): Demonstrating sustainable conservation of biological diversity in four protected areas of Russia s Kamchatka Oblast Internet [1] [2] [3]