Europeans Seek Funds and Political Will to Save Biodiversity

[Judi Lynn]

February 27, 2006
Europeans Seek Funds and Political Will to Save Biodiversity

LAKE PLITVICE NATIONAL PARK, Croatia, February 27, 2006 (ENS) - The loss of biological diversity continues to accelerate throughout Europe, officials from 40 European governments and 32 environmental organizations concluded Friday after a three day meeting at one of Europe's oldest protected sites - Lake Plitvice National Park. Linking conservation of biodiversity with economic benefits to Europeans was viewed as key to stopping this loss.

During the 1990s in Europe, participants learned, an area of about 7,750 square kilometers (2,993 square miles) was paved for roads, car parks, shopping centers and other buildings, reducing the area of habitat available for wild animals and plants.



Croatia's Plitvica Lakes National Park (Photo by
V. Pfeifer from I. Brailic's book on the National
Parks of Croatia)

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The conference was opened by Croatian Prime Minister Ivo Sanader who said that his country is following the European model and has laid the foundations for harmonizing the interests of ecology and the economy.

In an effort to harmonize those interests, Sanader said Croatia expects assistance and cooperation from all sectors of the public, including nongovernmental organizations and business entities, which are and must be equal partners in the process.

Croatian Minister of Culture Bozo Biskupic said that although crowded and economically developed, Europe has a diverse landscape and a rich heritage of plants, animals and ecosystems whose survival is critical to our own future well-being.
(snip)

http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/feb2006/2006-02-27-02.asp

[I_Make_Mistakes]

1. WOW that is gorgeous. Spent a little over an hour at the

Croatia airport (the second nose bleed of my life and I had to see a doctor). My BP was up because another who shared my transport to Bosnia had lung cancer and was dying. I just wanted to move on for him to get rest and they (Croatia Dr.) wanted to make sure I was okay. It was an interesting hour.

After, I saw that picture, I am sorry I didn't stay longer and visit more of the area, had many invitations.

It is good to see that they are interested in saving their national treasures, those that money can't buy.