WWF Vision for a Healthy Danube

The Danube River - flowing over 2,800kms from its source in the Black Forest of Germany to the Romanian and Ukrainian Delta in the Black Sea - is middle Europe's largest river. Rushing mountain waters of the Drava River in Slovenia, the wide powerful main channel flowing past Vienna, Bratislava, and Budapest, the quiet side arms in Hungary's Gemenc region, the canyon-like confluence of the Beli, Cerni and Malki in Bulgaria, and the vast reed beds of the Danube Delta are all part of this valuable natural heritage. Together with its tributaries, the Danube is a living ribbon that binds together parts of seventeen countries of Central and Eastern Europe.
Over 80 million people live in the Danube drainage area and draw benefit and enjoyment from the river and its surrounding territories. The river is home to pike and over 60 other fish species, it supports the threatened river otter, provides nesting places for White Tailed Eagles and Black Storks, replenishes the largest source of underground water in Europe, and nourishes, with water and nutrients,forests and fields. Yet despite its importance this valuable natural heritage has been partially destroyed.

Channelization, draining of wetlands, inappropriate cutting of forests, building of dams, and pollution have all taken their toll. The Danube River as a living ecosystem has been badly damaged.

WWF's International Green Danube Programme aims to stop the destruction of the Danube, to protect the remaining natural areas, prevent pollution, and restore lost habitats. Current WWF projects demonstrate model forest and meadow management, restore drained wetland areas, promote protection of sensitive habitat, ensure the survival of endangered and threatened species of animals and plants, and demonstrate and promote economic development that sustainably uses the environment upon which we depend. But there is more to be done. WWF needs support for these efforts is commited to working with others (governments, industry, research institutions, non-governmental groups, and individuals) who share our goal of protecting, restoring and sustaining the Danube River as a dynamic and living ecosystem that brings long-term health and well-being to the people whose home is the Danube Basin.

Promoting International Action to Protect and Restore the Danube

The policies, programmes, and actions of millions of people and numerous governments and organizations affect the Danube River. No one country or individual can protect and restore the Danube River ecosystem - each must do his part. Fortunately, after many years of neglect and abuse the countries of the Danube have joined together to harmonize environmental legislation and take coordinated action to clean up and restore the river basin. With the financial assistance of the European Union, World Bank, UN Development Programme and other donors, the Danube states have established an "Environmental Programme for the Danube River Basin." WWF is a member of the Taskforce that oversees the programme and uses this opportunity to promote its vision of a healthy Danube.
In addition, Danube countries have signed the "Convention on Cooperation for the Protection and Sustainable Use of the Danube River Basin (DRPC)" and agreed upon a "Strategic Action Plan" which lists the necessary actions to bring improved environmental quality to the basin. Of particular importance, the Action Plan emphasizes the need for protection, restoration and rehabilitation of floodplains. These areas are essential for the river's natural flood control capacity, for purifying water, providing breeding and resting areas for birds and fish, and regenerating underground water supply.
WWF is commited to ensuring the implementation of the Strategic Action Plan and in particular protecting and restoring floodplain areas along the river and its tributaries. WWF has initiated a number of projects as a small contribution to achieving that goal. But actions from governments and funding institutions are also needed to build upon and expand these efforts. Each of the 17 countries through which the Danube or its tributaries flows has a responsibility and opportunity for protection and restoration of the river and its watershed. Actions and investments today will ensure that the health and economic and ecologic vitality of Danube River ecosystem will be restored and maintained for this and future generations.

From the Source to the Delta - WWF Danube Projects

Each part of the river and its tributaries is essential for restoring and maintaining this living ecosystem. Throughout the Danube Basin WWF projects have been initiated to protect and restore this valuable natural heritage. The partners for these projects are many and varied.

Lost wetland habitat in the large Babina Island of the Danube Delta has been restored together with our Romanian partner the rehabilitation group of the Delta Institute. Computers and training programmes have been provided by WWF to help monitor and better manage the restoration. WWF has also assisted The Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve Authority with training and expert assistance for protection and sustainable use management in the Danube Delta.
In Bulgaria the Ministry of Environment and Committee of Forests together with WWF is preparing an ecological forest management plan for the Bulgarian Danube Island complex including Vardim, Kitka and Milka.
WWF Hungary has prepared a development plan for the Gemenc Nature Protection Area and together with Environment Ministry officials is generating national and international support for the establishment of a national park and necessary ecological rehabilitation.
In the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary, WWF supports the work of local non-governmental organizations (Veronica, Daphne, and Reflex) to promote protection of the important floodplains of the Danube, March and Thaya rivers. WWF Austria carries out natural forest restoration and fish otter protection on WWF reserves.
WWF Germany purchased an area of floodplain forest at the mouth of the Isar to demonstrate model forest and meadow conservation and works with other local landowners to adopt these practices.
In order to build upon and expand these efforts WWF is seeking additional partners and supporters. The river and its tributaries are essential to our well being and health. By protecting and restoring this heritage, together we can ensure that it continues to provide economic benefit and ecological health to all the communities and people who depend upon its waters and the biodiversity it supports.



FOR MORE INFORMATION


Philip Weller, Coordinator WWF Green Danube Programme
C/0 WWF Austria
114-116 Ottakringerstrafle
A-1162 Wien
Tel: 43/1/489 1641
Fax: 43/1/489 1641 29


Copyright 1996, The World Wide Fund For Nature