Trends in Romanian biodiversity conservation policy

Romania's commitment and ability to protect its environment inthe long term is challenged by several problems: insufficient financialmechanisms, monitoring, enforcement, and the information dissemination capacityof local environment protection agencies. History indicates that periods ofeconomic and social transition are very dangerous to biodiversity conservation.The demonstrated tendency during such periods gives priority to short-termincome-generating activities. Romanian conservation policy has had to adapt tothis change of circumstances. New sites have been included in the nationalprotected system and new legislation has been developed. But is this enough? Dothese satisfy progressive concepts and IUCN recommendations? This paper isintended to make recommendations, based on intersectoral participatoryplanning, for nature resources management. It focuses on how biodiversityconservation is being encouraged and developed at a national level.