Belovezhskaya Pushcha: problems and prospects
Website "Alexander Kozulin, February 20, 2006
Belovezhskaya Pushcha is the largest remnant of ancient lowland primeval woods that have existed in the entire area of Europe since prehistoric times. Over centuries they have been felled, and the Belovezhsky region is virtually the only location where they remained relatively intact. Belovezhskaya Pushcha is the oldest European reserved area where traditions of nature protection of long standing have been saved. The value of Pushcha is confirmed by its most recognized titles. In 1992, UNESCO, according to its decision, made Belovezhskaya Pushcha a World Heritage Mankind Site. In 1993, the National Park was given the status of a Biosphere Reserve and, in 1997, the National Park "Belovezhskaya Pushcha" was awarded a Council of European Diploma for achievements in the field of protection of reserved nature .
A unique relic wood, which average age makes over hundred years while its separate patches are 250 - 350 years old, is the most value of Belovezhskaya Pushcha. More than a thousand giant trees are registered: 400 - 600 years old oak trees, 250 - 350 years old ash and pine trees, 200 - 250 years old spruce trees are all growing there. Pushcha surpasses all other areas of Europe in number of species of plants and animals. 958 species of vascular, seed and spore plants, 260 species of mosses and bryophytes, more than 290 lichen species and more than 3,000 species of mushrooms grow there. The Fauna List of Belovezhskaya Pushcha contains 59 species of mammals, 227 bird species, 7 reptile species, 11 amphibian species, 24 fish species and more than 11,000 invertebrate species, among which more than 9,500 insects. Pushcha hosts the largest world population of bison (300 specimens) and over 200 rare and vanishing species listed in the Red Data Book of Belarus.
Belovezhskaya Pushcha is a unique historical and tourist centre. Through the overall history of Pushcha, it was under the patronage of Lithuanian Princes, Polish Kings, Russian Tsars and Soviet General Secretaries. In 1991, the well known "Belovezhskoe Accords" concerning disaffiliation of independent republics from the Soviet Union and establishment of Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) was signed there. At present tourist infrastructure to acquaint the tourists with natural and cultural sights of this territory is under development.
A staff of the National Park and government of Belarus have made much to solve ecological, economic and social problems of Belovezhskaya Pushcha. However, today there is a threat for its future. After 1994, the National Park "Belovezhskaya Pushcha" was transferred under the jurisdiction of the Property Management Department of the President of the Republic of Belarus and a new policy targeted to make commerce and trade within its area began. Gradually, the National Park turned into a sort of an agricultural-trading-industrial complex, where nature protection, conservation of biological diversity, science, and ecological education were put on the back burner. Intensive economic activity has been developed in the unique natural area last years, which is incompatible to the honourable statuses and titles of Belovezhskaya Pushcha. Methods of human activities (large-scale fellings, artificial plantations, making the natural area more "cultural" etc.), which are now in progress in the reserved Pushcha's forest, and non-professional and adventurous management in the frame of the rigid administrative-command system threaten to destroy the unique relic wood. A dramatic conflict between the local population and the Park's administration, the last is responsible for the true staff collapse, appeared. Oppressions and persecutions of the local population became a stable practice of the administration which currently manages the Park. Traditions of Belovezhskaya Pushcha are eradicated that breaks principles of sustainable development, which observance is obligatory for Biosphere Reserve (the detailed information about the situation in Belovezhskaya Pushcha are at the Website "Belovezhskaya Pushcha – 21st Century" bp21.org.by/).
Despite of numerous exposures and protests of a national and international public, the problems of Belovezhskaya Pushcha are out of decision-making results, while the authorities have taken the line "do not react" or to cover the guilty persons. The territory of the National Park has been turned to some kind of a secret-restriction zone being under patronage of the Property Management Department of the President. In 2004, the Belarusian Social Democratic Party (Gramada) initiated the campaign to protect Belovezhskaya Pushcha and sent special New Year's cards with the image of stump and cut oak tree to the top-state officials, in which the senders appealed to them to save the reserved wood. In 2005, the Party, headed by Professor Alexander Kozulin, supported the information campaign devoted to the problems of tourism and ecological education in Belovezhskaya Pushcha.
To preserve Belovezhskaya Pushcha and break through the situation, which is equal to deadlock, it is necessary further to carry out a number of measures targeted to take off secret activities of the administration of the National Park, ensure the observance of the law and the principle of social validity and reorganize the basic objectives of the Park. Now a team of the scientists who are supporters of Alexander Kozulin, candidate-president of the Republic of Belarus, has begun development of a concept of preservation and augmentation of all components of Belovezhskaya Pushcha as a national legacy and World Heritage Site.
The press-service of the Brest Regional Branch of the Belarusian Social Democratic Party (Gramada)
The text is a copy from the Website "Belarusian Partisan"