Danube/Carpathian
The River Danube is Europe's second largest river, with a watershed area of 817.000 square kilometres in seventeen European countries. The Danube starts off as a rapid mountain river and ends in the vast expanses of reed in the world-famous delta, a treasure vault of nature. Yet it is heavily polluted by nitrogen and phosphorus from agriculture, toxic substances from industry and cities, and construction works which alter the river's flow and structure.
The region includes a mosaic of cultures, languages, economic and political systems; since the breakdown of the old communist regimes, it is in rapid transition. This creates opportunities to improve the environmental performance: WWF works on expanding the network of wetland, forest and coastal protected areas and restoring both wetlands and natural forests. The public's support is increasing as WWF addresses urgent economic problems linked to wetland restoration and management and sustainable use of the regions forests. Common cross-sectoral issues such as improving the legal frameworks for nature protection, preserving extensive agricultural systems and the monitoring of development aid, are addressed through various policy initiatives.
Contact:
Danube/Carpathians Programme, c/o WWF-Austria, Ottakringer Str. 114-116, Postfach 1, 1162 Vienna, Austria