Romania designates over 320,000 hectares for biodiversity protection

In a significant stride for environmental conservation, Romania has officially designated over 320,000 hectares of forests as Priority Zones for Biodiversity. This decision, made by RNP-Romsilva, marks a commitment to protecting one out of every ten hectares of state-owned forests under a priority regime for biodiversity.

WWF-România celebrates this move as a pivotal moment in the implementation of both the National Forest Strategy 2030 and the EU Biodiversity Strategy 2030. It also aligns with Romania's commitments under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan, reinforcing the country's dedication to safeguarding its natural heritage.

The establishment of the National Catalog of Priority Zones for Biodiversity is a new public policy tool aimed at developing a national network for biodiversity protection. The Ministry of Environment, Waters, and Forests has been recognized for its role in operationalizing this important instrument, which is expected to enhance conservation efforts across the country.

The designation of these significant forest areas not only doubles the surface area under a priority protection regime but also strengthens Romania’s policies dedicated to nature conservation. Radu Vlad, the program manager for forests at WWF-România, emphasizes the importance of this initiative in achieving the ecological goals set for 2030.