Strasbourg, 15 February 2005 PE-S-DE (2005) 8

[diplome/docs/2005/de08e_05] English only

Committee for the activities of the Council of Europe

in the field of biological and landscape diversity

(CO-DBP)

Group of specialists – European Diploma for Protected Areas

28 February – 1 March 2005

Room 11, Palais de l’Europe, Strasbourg

The Podyjí National Park

(Czech Republic)

RENEWAL

Expert report by

Dr. Peter Skoberne

(Slovenia)

Document established by

the Directorate of Culture and
Cultural and Natural Heritage

The European Diploma for protected areas was awarded to the Podyjí National Park (Czech Republic) for the first time in 2000.

The Secretariat did not accompany the expert on his visit to the reserve.

Appendix III reproduces Resolution (2000) 14 concerning the award of the European Diploma. In Appendix IV the Secretariat presents a draft resolution for possible renewal.

* * * * *

Introduction

In accordance with the art. 9 of the Resolution (98) 29 on the Regulations for the European diploma of protected areas concerning extension of the period of validity of the Diploma an on-the-spot appraisal was carried out in Podyjí National Park (Czech Republic) from 16^th to 18^th August 2004.

My visit was arranged by Podyjí National Park staff, led by Director Dr. Tomas Rothröckl. Despite limited time available we were able to visit key areas of the site and we met most meres of local communties and Mr. Hinek, representative of the Ministry of Environment. The park staff was very co-operative, highly professional and committed to their work and mission.

A meeting with representatives of local communities was organised and followed by a press conference, so the event had good media coverage.

The European Diploma was awarded to Podyjí National Park in 2000 (Resolution Dip (2000) 14) and in 2005 a decision on renewal has to be taken on the basis of the review of the current state of the protected area.

The main aim of the report is to give a proposal to the Group of Specialist to extend the period of the validity of the Diploma, recommend conditions for the extension or not recommend the extension.

The report is based on the on-the-spot appraisal in the Podyjí National Park and following documents:

· Resolution Dip (2000) 14 on the award of the European Diploma to the Podyjí National Park (Czech Republic), adopted by the Committee of Ministers on 21^st June 2000 at the 715^th meeting of the Ministers' Deputies (see Appendix III);

· Annual reports for 2001, 2002, 2003 (Ministry of Environment of the Czech Republic, Nature Conservation Department and Administration of the Podyjí National Park);

· The Podyjí National Park, application, expert appraisal by Pierre Hunkeler (Switzerland), Council of Europe, doc. PE-S-DE (2000) 68;

· Podyjí/Thaya River Basin National Park, application form, Ministry of the Environment, Praha, Council of Europe, doc. PE-S-DE (99) 57 rev.;

· Thayatal National Park(Austria), application, expert report by Daniel Daske (France), Council of Europe, doc. PE-S-DE (2003) 19 rev.;

· Podyjí National Parkannual reports;

· Podyjí National Parkweb page: http://www.nppodyji.cz/_E_PODYJ.HTM.

The report is focused on the update of the Mr. Pierre Hunkeler report (PE-S-DE (2000) 68), so facts mentioned in his report that didn't change are not repeated.

1. European interest

The European interest of the area can be re-confirmed and is underpinned by the Habitats and Bird Directive. The larger part of the NP Podyjí area is SPA and pSCI and that means at the same time that it is part of the Emerald network, as well.

SPA: qualifying bird species are Dendrocopus syriacus and Sylvia nisoria.

pSCI is proposed for following species:

Limoniscus violaceaus, Lucanus cervus, Cerambyx cerdo, Panaxia quadripunctaria, Triturus carnifex, Cottus gobio, Rhinolophus hypposideros, Barbastella barbastellus, Myotis emarginatus, Myotis bechsteinii, Myotis myotis, Cypripedium calceolus, Pulstatilla grandis. 27 Annex I habitat types occur in the area of the national park, 5 of them are priority.

More information:

http://stanoviste.natura2000.cz/index.php?page=lokalita_detail&LokalitaID=830

2. Administration and management of the area

National Park administration is directly responsible to the Ministry of the Environment and financed by the state budget. That is the main park income, however they have some revenues (about 3% of the total budget) regarding own activities.

The central office of the National Park administration is in Znojmo and information visitor centre is situated in the hearth of the protected area in Čižov.

The advisory Council of stakeholders is still in function.

3. Zoning

Zoning system (3 zones: Zone I – strictly natural, Zone II – regulated natural, Zone III – fringe zone) didn’t change, however the ratio of particular zones changed in favour of Zone I and II. Park is surrounded by a protection zone functioning as buffer zone.

The National Park policy regarding zones is clear and they are encouraging possibilities to increase Zone I and Zone III areas. In the future the intensiveness of the Zone III agricultural area will depend on the national agricultural policy. As the area is Natura 2000 site adequate agricultural measures could be applied.

Source: http://www.nppodyji.cz/_E_PODYJ.HTM

4. Ownership

Land restitution is coming to its end. Part of the forests were returned to owners (mostly municipalities). In some cases municipalities agreed to the sustainable use of forest according to the management plan of the park in other cases NP administration was trying to arrange a swap of the land or to lease or buy the land.

In the period 2001-2004 the National Park Administration purchased 69.4 ha of land in different zones of the national park.

5. Management plan

Existing management plan will expire in 2005. NP authority is preparing elements for the new one waiting guidelines that should by prepared by the Ministry of Environment in about 3 months (end of 2004) following amended Nature Conservation Act.

Concerning practical management we would mention just one very good example. By studying ecological parameters of Robinia pseudoacacia this invasive tree species is very successful eliminated with the help of biologically based forest management measures.

In discussion with representatives of municipalities, particular Vranov, an interest for rafting tourism was raised. At the moment the whole canyon within the park area is not used for water sports. One of the reasons is water fluctuation another is low water temperature. The canyon and river banks are now practically not accessible and these peaceful conditions are very good for wildlife. Thus opening the area for recreational activities could likely have negative impact on ecosystems and species in that area (disturbance, needs for infrastructure, and safety precautions for visitors...).

We suggest not developing rafting and other water activities downstream of Vranov but attract tourists by presenting the iron wall as a specific period of the history, for instance.

Similar concerns are with sports fishery which should be regulated commonly on both side of the river.

6. Public access and information about the park

Park is very good facilitated by the network of routes for hikers and bikers. They are about 80 km very good marked hiking paths and 70 km cycling ways. A detailed trilingual map of the area with all routes (1:25000) is available. Interest for hiking and cycling is increasing.

There are two international check points to cross the border at Hnanice/Mitterretzbach and Vratenin/Drosendorf-Oberthürnau.

Hikers and pedestrians can cross the border at one point (Hardegg) only. This check point is not opened all year through (opened from 15^th April till 2^nd November). In the area of Zone I and Nature Reserves it is not allowed to walk outside the paths.

At different occasions a very common and clear interest was expressed to open new possibilities to cross the border and to open the Hardegg check point all year through.

Most of the former military service roads along the iron curtain are transformed to bikers’ routes.

Ranger service is engaged in visitors support, as well. In four areas they are conducting service every weekend.

On-the-spot information for visitors is in form of nicely designed panoes. All information is trilingual (Czech, German, English).

Information centre: exhibition and service.

Visitor centre and information centre in Čižov is situated in the heart of the protected area. It is a small but very pleasant information centre, offering visitors an exhibition presenting them characteristics about the park and in the same way facilitating their stay through information. Shortcoming of money in displaying information is very well overcome by fresh ideas about how to present some features in an innovative, attractive way. Here I would mention just special cartoons for children.

Centre is accessible for handicapped persons.

Number of visitors, mostly from Austria, is increasing. Visitors are experiencing nice landscape in a recreational way (hiking, cycling). Interest in local inns rose, as well. Not only because of friendly prices, but enjoying local culinary and discovering a world that suddenly opened in the neighbourhood.

What we can miss is more emphasised the fact that the National Park is a European Diploma holder. The same is true for the internet home page. We encourage use of the European Diploma symbol as it is delivered to the Podyjí Park for its European importance and good management and there is no reason to be too modest about that.

Nearby the visitors centre a small part of the former iron curtain is partly restored. It is certainly one of the highlights of the area. Local people don’t see it like this. Understandably, they want to forget the nightmare of the border line so it is not surprisingly that it is nowadays hard to find traces of former very armoured border. On the other hand, such things should not be completely lost from our memories. They should be a warning for future generations. After few years living in changed circumstances they become so fantastic, that they seem to be unrealistic. Thus it would be very interesting to consider setting a museum (Vranov castle can be one of possibilities) about the iron curtain explaining the historic context and present documents about it. A small part at Čižov information centre could be fully reconstructed. That could be an attraction and enrichment of the National Park and the region itself.

7. Scientific work

Scientific work is well conducted. Area is studied carefully and results regularly published. It seems that the only limitations are financial resources and lack of specialists for some areas.

National Park Administration is developing with co-operation with other institutions a comprehensive monitoring system of forest areas. It will enable to follow not only forestry parameters but biological parameters, such as population dynamics, as well.

8. International co-operation

In this area impressive development was done. Let me mention just some crucial milestones:

15. 7. 1999: Czech-Austrian international declaration on Podyjí -Thayatal was signed by ministers of the environment of both countries. So the long year co-operation was formalised.

1. 1. 2000: designation of the Thayatal National Park in Austria (awarded by European Diploma in 2003)

Since 2000 a standing official Czech-Austrian working group is co-ordinating activities on both sides of the river.

Representatives of Podyjí National park are members of the Thayatal National park and vice-versa.

In 2002 directors of both national parks signed two agreements of the basis of the 1999 declaration: Agreement on common objectives, resources, and management of the NP Podyjí -Thayatal and the Contract of mutual exchange of data and information.

Beside these formalised relations it is a vivid co-operation on expert level. Let me mention some examples of common work:

- elimination of invasive plant Impatiens glandulifera in the Dyje/Thaya canyon;

- solving the unbalanced flow rates of Dyje/Thaya regarding the Vranov dam;

- consultation and joint strategy on the reduction of hoofed game;

- unification of conditions for fishing;

- forestry management;

- presentation of neighbour national park in each information centre;

- co-ordinated connection of tourist routes for hikers and bikers;

- common participation in two international projects on model transfrontier c-operation;

- joint guard service on selected weekends.

9. Relationship between the body responsible for the area and other stakeholders

Relations to communes seem to be good. At the meeting with meres, all meres were present except two from the buffer zone. National Park Authorities (NPA) have good contact and relations to meres (average 4 times a year they have regular meetings). There is less direct communication between park and people living in the park. A newsletter is issued by NP Authority in order to keep people informed.

After restitution of forest communes are satisfied with the solutions offered by NPA (lease, buying forest parcels). They expect NPA to help them to improve infrastructure and as they are in protected areas to have some privileges concerning available financial instruments as well as assistance in getting through administrative labyrinths.

10. European Diploma resolution (2000) recommendations follow-up

While in 2000 European Diploma was awarded following recommendations were attached to the Resolution Dip (2004) 14 and follow-up was checked during the on-the-spot-appraisal:

1. That changes be made to the operation of the hydro-electric power station at Vranov, upstream of the Park, in order to guarantee an ecologically acceptable flow of water, account being taken both of variations in water level and of the quantity of water released.

This issue is highly comprehensive and difficult to handle. The reasons for ecologically unfavourable water regime lie back in 1912 when the permit for water use was issued. Since establishment of the national park there were negotiations to set up ecologically acceptable water regime. Basic hydrologic situation and proposal for a minimum residual flow was set up in the paper J. Helešic, F. Kubiček, 1999: Hydrobiology of the Dyje River in the Podyjí National Park, Czech Republic. The daily fluctuation, influence on water temperature and temporally low residual flow have negative impact on the river ecosystems in the protected area. Since 2000 there are constant discussions on that issue, mainly with water management authorities as they are going to issue a new permission for water use for hydropower station at Vranov. While NP authority insists in taking into account new circumstances (e. g. protection of the area) while issuing new permit, the concessionaires refers to the conditions of the original permit from 1912. As new permission is given for 25 years consequences to ecosystems as well economic implications are of high consideration. Additional to that is the case that this is happening on a bordering river, so Austrian interests has to be taken into account, as well. There is certainly a lot of work done as a follow up of the recommendation but the solution can not be seen in the near future. However, regarding new permission following year will be quite crucial in addressing this issue. As the solutions depend on interests and decisions of different governmental sectors and even bilateral negotiations with Austria, this task is clearly beyond the scope of the national park administration and in hands of the Czech government.

2. That the policy of more diverse land use in zone III and the buffer zone and that of land purchase in zones I and II be maintained.

As explained in this report above National Park administration was following this recommendation in the frame of possibilities. Transformation of intensive agricultural land in the buffer zone and partly zone III in more diverse structure is strongly connected with the agricultural policy and possibilities are limited.

In the eastern part of the National Park a new problem appeared: on the basis of the decree of the Ministry of agriculture in 2000 they are setting new vineyards and renewing areas of former vineyards. This is threatening in some parts dry-grassland habitat types hosting rare and protected animals and plants.

There is some state owned land but managed by Land Fund of the Czech Republic and not by the National Park administration. In 2000 National Park Administration asked the Land Fund to transfer 331 ha of land of nature conservation interest (1 ha in zone I, 16 ha in zone II, 196 ha in zone III and 118 in the buffer zone) to the NP Administration. As there are clearly some other interests as well till the moment of the appraisal this transfer didn't happen. It is certainly a very important chance to manage the Park in more sustainable way.

On the other hand the same area has problem with abandonment of use of grasslands and active traditional management has to be assured. National Park staff is doing research on maintaining heaths and studying natural succession on grasslands in order to maintain threatened habitat types and get practical guidelines for farmers.

3. That a satisfactory solution be sought to the problem of forests which municipalities still feel were expropriated from them, for example by granting ownership of other areas of forest outside the Park perimeter.

The final act of the restitution was decided in 2000, so it was not able to take fully into account the recommendation. However, the proposals from the Ministry of the Environment were in line with it, but final decision was to return 495 ha of formerly privately owned forests on the territory of the National Park to the municipalities.

National Park Administration set out a strategy to minimise consequences by developing a strategy of purchase and lease of forests. So far about 50 ha of forest areas were purchased and almost 200 leased from the municipalities. At the moment the situation is relatively favourable but as it is bound to the voluntary decision of the municipalities’ future is not guaranteed.

Another unsolved problem is the former historic property of the Knights of the Cross with the Red Star at the eastern part of the park near Znojmo. There is a lot of interest of Znojmo municipality to get this piece of land as a potential development area of Znojmo. The case is on the court.

4. That the transfrontier co-operation activities introduced to co-ordinate management of the Dyje/Thaya river valley be maintained.

This issue is elaborated in separate paragraph and can be regarded as fulfilled with a perspective on further strong co-operation. An example of excellent transfrontier work!

11. General conclusions

Podyjí National Park has all attributes of geomorphologic, geologic and biodiversity qualities of European importance. They were maintained mostly through historical reasons as the area was less accessible because of the iron wall curtain. As a National Park management is in state competence and finances are allocated by the state budget. The park administration competences including management and inspection are fixed by law.

Important task of the National Park staff is managing visitors by maintaining an infrastructure of trails and cycling routes with information points, good map and visitors centre. All information available is trilingual (Czech, German, English).

The area is not densely populated and manageable. The National Park staff is well trained and committed to the mission of the protected area that is at the same time a Natura 2000 site (SPA and pSCI).

The iron wall was pulled down physically but the border still remains in heads. Gradually it is disappearing and this is indicated by the rise of the number of visitors. Local communities are slowly getting used to new function and opportunities. Park administration should further build upon and develop this partnership. The frontier is now open but there is no infrastructure between both states.

Through land restitution National Park Administration lost some competences but no crucial part of the area is threatened through this process.

One of the main remaining problems is fluctuation of the Dyje river due to the Vranov Hydro Power station.

Possible conflicts in future could be interests to use Dyje/Thaya canyon for rafting and other forms of recreation. Development of sports fishery has to be considered consciously. Tourists could be attracted by presenting the iron wall in the area instead.

Transfrontier work with Thayatal National Park is excellent.

12. Final conclusion and recommendation

NP Podyjí meets the European Diploma criteria concerning European importance and good management therefore extension of the Diploma for the next period is proposed with following recommendations:

Further efforts are required to reduce negative impact of the water fluctuation and to set up ecologically acceptable water regime taking into account requirements of the nature conservation authorities. The case should be monitored by the bilateral Czech-Austrian commission for border waters.
Prepare and adopt new management plan as soon as possible.
We support the development of recreation and tourism, but it should be based on the soft forms of experiencing natural and cultural heritage, as well countryside. In this respect use of the Dyje river downstream of Vranov is not encouraged. It is recommended to take other opportunities, e. g. presenting and marketing the iron wall history.
Further develop relationship with municipalities and local population in order to encourage management of their properties in the national park in a sustainable way according to principles and rules of the management plan.
Management of the agricultural areas, particular those, important for nature conservation should be improved through activities of the agricultural sector in the field of agri-environmental measures and other useful economic instruments.
International co-operation with Thayatal national park should continue and joint research and monitoring projects should be intensified. Possibilities for opening new check points to cross the border and open the Hardegg check point all the year through should be examined.
European Diploma award should be more visible presented in the image of the Podyjí national park (information centre, publications, web site…).

APPENDIX I

Programme of the visit

On-the-spot appraisal of the Podyji National Park

Programme of the visit of Dr Peter Skoberne

Monday, 16 ^th August

17:59– Arrival – Znojmo railway station, transport to Vranov, accommodation, dinner

(Rothröckl)

Tuesday, 17^th August

8:15 - breakfast, organizational affairs, transport to Cizov (Rothröckl)

Cizov, Visitor Centre

9:00- Overture (Rothröckl, Skoberne)

Podyji National Park - general information:

· General abiotic and biotic description (Reiterova, Krivan, Ponikelsky)

· Natura 2000 (Reiterova, Krivan)

· Management of NP, land-use (Reiterova, Krivan, Ponikelsky)

· Tourism, public relations, ranger-service, GIS (Kos)

· Podyji NP Administration, financing (Rothröckl)

· Transboundary co-operation (Rothröckl, Kos)

10:30– Visitation of the Podyji NP Visitor Centre (Kos, Formanova, Rothröckl)

Ledove sluje, Paseracka stezka

11:00– Field trip – landscape and nature of the western part of NP (Reiterova, Krivan,

Ponikelsky)

12:30 – Lunch

Austria, Thayatal NP, Hardegg

14:00 – Visit of the Thayatal Nationalpark Administration in Hardegg, meeting with director

Mr. Robert Brunner (Reiterova, Kos, Rothröckl)

Kozi stezky

16:00– Field Trip – management of the central part of the Podyji NP, Natura 2000 area

(Reiterova, Krivan, Ponikelsky)

18:30– Dinner

Vranov, Braitava summer-house

20:00– informal meeting with Mr. Hynek, head of the Large-scale Protected Area

Department of Ministry of the Environment and people from NP staff

Wednesday, 18^th August

8:15 – breakfast, organizational affairs, transport to Cizov (Hynek, Rothröckl)

Cizov, Visitor Centre

9:00– Meeting with mayors and other representatives of local communities – discussion

interpreted and facilitated by Mrs. Anna Carkova (Hynek, Kos, Reiterova, Rothröckl)

10:30 – Meeting with representatives of local media, press briefing – interpreted and

facilitated by Mrs. Carkova (Hynek, Kos, Rothröckl)

12:00– Lunch

Novy Hradek

13:00 – Field trip to the central part of Podyji NP; forestry management, presentation of the

historical monument (Hynek, Reiterova, Krivan, Ponikelsky/Vrska, Rothröckl)

Kravi hora, Popice, Havraniky, Hnanice, Devet mlynu

15:00– Field trip to the eastern part of the Podyji NP; land-use of the buffer zone, forestry

management, management of heathland, water management of Dyje river (Hynek,

Reiterova, Krivan, Ponikelsky/Vrska, Rothröckl)

Konice, local wine cellar

18:00– conclusion of the mission, dinner, informal meeting (Hynek,

Reiterova,Ponikelsky/Vrska, Rothröckl, Kos)

Thursday, 19^th August

7:30 – breakfast, farewell, transport to the Bile Karpaty PLA (Hynek, Rothröckl, Mahr)

APPENDIX II

Persons contacted

Name and surname	Position
Thomas Rothröckl	NP Podyjí, director
Lenka Reiterová	NP Podyjí, botanist
Vaclav Krivan	NP Podyjí, zoologist
Jan Kos	NP Podyjí, deputy director
Ponikelsky	NP Podyjí, forestry
Thomas Vrska	NP Podyjí, forestry
Vladimir Hynek	Ministry of the Environment, Head of the Unit for National Parks and Landscape Protected Areas
Robert Brunner	Nationalpark Thayatal GmbH, director
Anna Čarková	project manager
Jaroslava Drahoňovská	mere of Havraní
Jiří Musil	mere of Hnanice
Antonín Leinweber	mere of Horní Břečkov
Antonín Plaček	mere of Lukov
Jurka Libor	mere of Mašovice
Josef Fílak	mere of Podmoli
Jaroslava Sárová	vice-mere of Vranov
Loudvik Hekrle	vice-mere of Znojmo

APPENDIX III

COUNCIL OF EUROPE
COMMITTEE OF MINISTERS

Resolution Dip (2000) 14

on the award of the European Diploma

to the Podyjí National Park

(Czech Republic)

(Adopted by the Committee of Ministers on 21 June 2000

at the 715^th meeting of the Ministers' Deputies)

The Committee of Ministers, under the terms of Article 15.a of the Statute of the Council of Europe,

Having regard to Resolution (65) 6 instituting the European Diploma, as amended by Resolution (98) 29 on the Regulations for the European Diploma for Protected Areas;

Taking into consideration the expert’s report as presented at the meeting of the Group of Specialists for the European Diploma of Protected Areas on 21 and 22 February 2000;

Having regard to the proposals of the Committee for the Activities of the Council of Europe in the field of Biological and Landscape Diversity (CO-DBP);

Having noted the agreement of the Government of the Czech Republic,

After deliberation,

Solemnly awards the European Diploma of Protected Areas to the Podyjí National Park, in accordance with the Regulations for the European Diploma, as an example of an area protecting a valley of distinction with an extremely diverse collection of forests and open natural habitats of great significance, influenced by two biogeographical regions and boasting unique geomorphological features, especially pseudokarst caves, and a wealth of flora and fauna.

Places the aforesaid reserve under the patronage of the Council of Europe until 20 June 2005;

Attaches the following recommendations to the award:

2. That the policy of more diverse land use in zone III and the buffer zone and that of land purchase in zones I and II be maintained.

4. That the transfrontier co-operation activities with the authorities of the Austrian National Park introduced to co-ordinate management of the Dyje/Thaya river valley be maintained.

APPENDIX IV

Draft resolution

on the renewal of the European Diploma of Protected Areas

to the Podyjí national park

(Czech Republic)

The Committee of Ministers, under the terms of Article 15.a of the Statute of the Council of Europe,

Having regard to Resolution (65) 6 instituting the European Diploma as amended by Resolution (98) 29 on the regulations for the European Diploma of Protected Areas;

Having regard to Resolution (2000) 14 on the award of the European Diploma to the Podyjí national park;

Taking into consideration the expert’s report as presented at the meeting of the Group of Specialists for the European Diploma of Protected Areas on 28 February and 1 March 2005;

Having regard to the proposals of the Committee for the activities of the Council of Europe in the field of biological and landscape diversity (CO-DBP);

Renews until 20 June 2010 the European Diploma of Protected Areas awarded to the Podyjí national park;

Attaches the following recommendations to the renewal:

1. Further efforts are required to reduce negative impact of the water fluctuation and to set up ecologically acceptable water regime taking into account requirements of the nature conservation authorities. The case should be monitored by the bilateral Czech-Austrian commission for border waters.

2. The new management plan should be prepared and adopted as soon as possible.

3. The development of recreation and tourism should be based on the soft forms of experiencing natural and cultural heritage, as well countryside. In this respect use of the Dyje river downstream of Vranov is not encouraged. It is recommended to take other opportunities, e. g. presenting and marketing the iron wall history.

4. Further develop relationships with municipalities and the local population in order to encourage management of their properties in the national park in a sustainable way according to principles and rules of the management plan.

5. Management of the agricultural areas, particular those, important for nature conservation should be improved through activities of the agricultural sector in the field of agri-environmental measures and other useful economic instruments.

6. International co-operation with Thayatal national park should continue and joint research and monitoring projects should be intensified. Possibilities for opening new check points to cross the border and open the Hardegg check point all the year through should be examined.

7. European Diploma award should be more visible presented in the image of the Podyjí national park (information centre, publications, web site…).