Welcome to the fourth edition of the Virtual Montana Newsletter, an on-line newsletter that provides a source of information and up-to-date communications about fieldwork issues and research, predominantly in the fields of Geography and Environmental Studies. This issue looks at the effects of tourism on the mountain landscape.
| In this issue | News | Summer News Updates |
| News | Scottish International Year of Mountains Partnership with Walkingwild launches Challenge Fund | |
| News | Educational Journeys and Trips to Prague and the Czech Republic | |
| Feature | Education Service Managing Conflicting Demands on the Lake District National Park | |
| Feature | How can AS Fieldwork benefit students? | |
| Feature | Berchresgaden Declaration | |
| Feature | Alp Action | |
| Review | Reviews | |
| Events | List of Conferences and Events | |
| Next issue | Theme | The environmental impact and sustainability of fieldwork. If you would like to contribute please see details. |
Summer 2002 has seen a number of very significant and important news events and activities.
World
Summit
The draft of the Johannesburg Negotiated Document is now available
on-line and was officially presented and ratified by all United Nations
member countries during World
Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg August 26- September
4, 2002.
Medical Mountain Tourism
From June 20 to 22, medical aspects of mountain tourism, food and telemedicine,
were among the topics to be discussed at the International Mountain Medicine
meeting, which took place in Asiago, Italy. http://www.keycongress.com/folderino/folderino.asp
ForumAlpinum 2002
The programme of the ForumAlpinum 2002 is now available on the Web, ForumAlpinum
2002
The chief objective of Alpine Forum 2002 is to arrive at a common understanding
of the state of the Alps and to generate ideas that can then be implemented.
Leader II EU Initiative
For databases of rural organisations and initiatives, and for innovative
trans-national projects between rural areas, see: http://www.rural-europe.aeidl.be
Flooding
in Central Europe
Major flooding events struck central
and eastern Europe and China. Satellite images on the Earth
Observatory website show the extent of the flooding.
Oil Spill in Romanian River
An oil pipe damaged by floods spilled eight tons of crude oil into the
Prahova River in Romania, but the 15-kilometre-long spill was mostly contained
before it reached the Danube River. The spill occurred around 7 p.m. July
31, in the Ploiesti oilfield north of Bucharest, when a pipe from an oil
well owned by Conept broke, according to Roxana Suciu of the Regional
Environmental Center for Central and Eastern Europe's Country Office Romania.
See the ENN
Report.
Status of the Carpathians
Report
WWF released a new report called The Status of the Carpathians, warning
that European Union accession may increase the already growing human pressures
on the outstanding natural richness of the Carpathian Mountains. The report
is the first overview of the unique natural and cultural richness of the
Carpathians, which includes parts of : Austria, Czech Republic, Hungary,
Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Ukraine.
The Carpathians are home to 481 plant species that are found nowhere else in the world. Furthermore, they are Europe's last region (outside Russia) to support vast tracks of virgin forest, as well as the largest populations of Brown bears, wolves, lynx, European bison, and threatened bird species, including the imperial eagle. The report also stresses the low public and political awareness about this biological and cultural wealth, which is increasingly threatened by pollution, deforestation, hunting, and habitat fragmentation, as well as increased poverty due to drastic economic changes since transition.
The report also states that, despite the potential benefits of EU accession, EU policies and projects may actually worsen threats to this region. More information and a copy of the report is available at: http://www.carpathians.org/launch/.
Mountain Wilderness
Mountain Wilderness is an international association that seeks to protect
all aspects of mountain areas. If you are interested in finding out more,
contact france@mountainwilderness.org
MountainXchange
Mountain 2002, in partnership with the European Mountain Forum, have created
a free database of links and contacts in mountain areas called MountainXchange.
MountainXchange is a new
exchange market for mountains competences, techniques and products sharing
the principles of sustainable development.
Guidelines for Tourism
Companies
EU guidelines have been published for the financing of tourism companies.
By visiting the European Union website information is available on promotions
for tourist companies and resorts (financial and technical concessions
etc.). The offers are grouped according to sectors of interest. Information
can be downloaded and various links to other websites are available, see:
http://europa.eu.int/comm/enterprise/services/tourism/policy-areas/eu_schemes.htm
Sign up for the Mountians
The project Sign Up for the Mountains aims supporters to contribute to
highlands development with a meaningful and effective action : a signature.
It is now possible to take part through the internet at the following
page: http://213.21.158.8/guestbook/firma-e0.asp
European Mountain Convention
2002
The Inverness 2002 European Mountain Convention conference report on the
reforms to European policies for agriculture and regional development
- with respect to European enlargement, is available from the web site
http://www.euromontana.org
Mountaineers and Conservationists
join forces to call for peace and Co-operation in the World's Mountains
IUCN - The World Conservation Union and UIAA, the International Mountaineering
and Climbing Federation, are joining efforts to promote the conservation
of the world's mountains.
For more information contact: Georgina Peard, IUCN World Heritage Assistant Tel: ++ 41 22 999 0158 E-mail: gep@iucn.org Roger Payne, UIAA Sports and Development Officer Tel: +41 24 494 1440 / +41 79 574 74 09 E-mail: roger.payne@uiaa.ch
Environmental Events Database
The Environmental Events Database of the Regional Environmental Center
for Central and Eastern Europe lists information on conferences, workshops,
seminars and exhibitions that are taking place in Central and East Europe,
or are of relevance to the region. To view the database, which has been
put together as part of a project under the Regional Environmental Reconstruction
Programme for South Eastern Europe, visit: http://www.rec.org/REC/Databases/Events/EventsFind.html
Alpine Convention
We are glad to announce that the Web Site of the Alpine Convention is
now available on line:
http://www.conventionalpine.org
Carpathian Heritage Society
The Carpathian Heritage Society is an NGO committed to understanding and
protecting the ecology and culture of the Carpathian Mountain Region.
These goals are realized by promoting sound environmental, cultural, and
educational initiatives.
They invite all experts who can offer their knowledge and expertise in different fields of sustainable development of Carpathian Mountains to sign onto their database. The database of experts can be found at http://www.carpathians.pl/cgi-bin/dtb_list.cgi or link from the main web site of the Carpathian Heritage Society.
L'Alpe
Issue 16 of L'Alpe is available online at the Glénat Presse Web
site: http://www.glenatpresse.com/lalpe
Mountain Societies
The report "High Stakes: the future of Mountain societies" is
now available online (both PDF and HTML versions) at http://www.panos.org.uk/environment/high_stakes_mountain_societies.htm
The report High Stakes: the future for mountain societies argues that mountain people must have a stronger voice and role in the development of their regions. As experts in their own environments, they have a large part to play in tackling poverty and conserving resources. Thus investing in people is the most effective way to protect the mountains for future generations.
The report consists of case studies which provide examples of a mountain-specific approach to development, informed by mountain people: for example, community conservation in Pakistan's Karakorum mountains; preparing for volcano eruptions in Indonesia; trophy hunting and tourism in Romania's Carpathian mountains; Information and Communication Technology in Malaysia; and small-scale hydropower development in the Himalaya and Papua New Guinea.
IYM 2002 Events
For details on over 100 national, regional and international events to
celebrate IYM 2002 visit the calendar on http://www.mountains2002.org
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Report Highlights Environmental Work Needed
A report outlines in detail the specific work that Bosnia and Herzegovina
must undertake in order to harmonise its environmental legislation with
that of the European Union. Based on the research, it was concluded that
Bosnia and Herzegovina is facing serious environmental problems today.
For more information, please
contact the REC office in Bosnia and Herzegovina, e-mail: nseremet@utic.net.ba
web: http://www.rec.org.ba/
Scottish International Year of Mountains Partnership with Walkingwild launches Challenge Fund
The partnership of voluntary
organisations taking forward International Year of Mountains 2002 (IYM)
in Scotland has teamed up with Walkingwild to run a challenge fund for
local events that encourage people to take walking holidays in Scotland
while promoting sustainable development. Awards will typically be in the
range of £200-£500 to assist IYM related events that require
additional funds to enable them to proceed, and will be available for
events in any part of Scotland. For more information, visit the IYM Scotland
or Walkingwild websites, which may be found at www.iym.org.uk
and www.walkingwild.com respectively,
or contact:
Andy
Macpherson
Centre for Mountain Studies
Perth College UHI Millennium Institute
Crieff Road
PERTH PH1 2NX
Tel
01738 877 885
Fax 01738 631 364
andrew.macpherson@perth.uhi.ac.uk
www.iym.org.uk
Educational Journeys and Trips to Prague and the Czech Republic
Educational trips and study
stays for students, teachers and librarians.
All sorts of "tailor made" programmes for different kinds of
schools intending to come to the country from different European towns.
Also searching for contacts with local schools interested in getting partners
abroad.
Programmes for young professionals /librarianship, fine arts and music,
sports, technology, nature.
Study and leisure stays for groups of teachers.
Special programmes for people in wheelchairs.
The programmes include cultural and/or sport activities according to the
wishes of the clients and meeting the students of similar school(s).
Organizer: Irena Baumruková,
PhDr.
E-mail contact: baumruki@mlp.cz
http://www.volny.cz/baumrukova/homepage.htm
Education Service Managing Conflicting Demands on the Lake District National Park
What groups of people might be involved in conflicts in the National Park?
Consider
the list below. It includes landowners, land managers, special interest
groups and individuals. Each have different priorities and interests which
may give rise to conflicts.
Artists,
Balloonists, Car Rallyists, Canoeists, Charity Event Coordinators, Coach
Parties, Conservationists, Craftsmen, County Council, Cumbria Tourist
Board, Farmers, Fell Runners, Fishermen, Hound Trailers, Huntsmen, Landowners,
Microlight Users, Mountain 
Bikers,
Lake District National Park Authority, National Trust, Naturalists, Orienteers,
Parish Councils, Picnickers, Property Developers, Quarry Operators, Rock
Climbers, Sailors, Skiers, Sub Aqua Groups, Swimmers, Tourist Industry,
Trail Riders, Walkers, 
Water-skiers.
National Park Purposes
The Lake District is a place of spectacular natural beauty. It is also a place of work, a home to 42,000 people and a tourist destination for over 12 million visitors every year.
The Lake District was established as a National Park in 1951. The Lake District National Park Authority (LDNPA) is the local government body appointed to look after the Lake District National Park.
It has two purposes
- To conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of the Lake District
- To promote opportunities
for the understanding and enjoyment of the special qualities of the
National Park
And a duty
- To foster the economic and social well being of local communities within the Park.
Increasing Pressures on the Lake District
Since the National Park was established the pressure from visitors has increased. People have become wealthier with more free time and money to spend on leisure. More families have cars and journey times have reduced as roads have improved. Visits to the countryside have increased. Surveys show that while most visitors come to the Lake District to view the landscape, many come to take part in sport and active recreation.
All these visitors place increasing demands on the area. People require places to stay, shops, pubs, restaurants and things to do. This creates opportunities for new businesses to start and existing ones to grow. In addition many of the traditional Lakeland industries such as farming and mining are struggling to survive and local people are looking for new ways to make a living. There is a danger that uncontrolled development could threaten the natural beauty, wildlife and the cultural heritage of the area. In the end this will benefit no one since the tourist industry depends on the peace and beauty of the area being maintained. The Lake District needs to be carefully managed to make sure that it is not damaged by the pressure put on it as a result of its popularity.
Managing the Lake District is a balancing act. It involves weighing up the interests of the environment, the visitors and the local residents and coming to decisions which are in the best long term interests of the National Park. The LDNPA works to achieve that balance which involves co-operation, negotiation, education, information services, and legislation.
Environmental Charter for Outdoor Users in the Lake District
With the growth in popularity
of outdoor activities there is an urgent need to protect the area, not
only for future generations but also for its intrinsic values. Adventure
brings freedom but also a responsibility to respect and conserve the environment.
Outdoor leaders can be an important influence on their groups and can
do much to encourage increased environmental awareness, understanding
and action. The Adventure and Environmental Awareness Group have produced
the charter in partnership with the Field Studies Council, LDNPA and the
National Trust. This is an example of interested parties working to avoid
possible conflict.
To read more about the Lake District and the work of the National Park see the Factsheets in the 'Learn about the Lake District' section of the the Lake District National Park Authority Web Site.
Lake District National Park Authority
How can AS Fieldwork benefit students?
Question: Is fieldwork
important towards my future formal education qualifications?
Answer: Many UK Geography specifications require you to carry out
an investigation into a topic relevant to the particular specification
and your fieldwork can provide valuable case study material for written
papers. You may also accumulate valuable key skills which could form part
of your key skills portfolio such as - note-taking & recording, field
sketching, data collection, graphical skills, numeracy & literacy
skills.
Question: Can fieldwork
help me in applying for Higher Education?
Answer: Both the process of and the product from fieldwork have
similarities with higher education courses and jobs. Your fieldwork experience
may be a useful and impressive talking point at interviews as the ability
to conduct research and present findings and conclusions clearly, are
valuable personal skills
Question: What will
I learn?
Answer: There are many different fieldwork techniques which you
will have the opportunity to learn and evaluate which cover all aspects
of Geography whether you are interested in urban, environmental or landform
studies. You should bear in mind that data you intend to collect, needs
to be measured easily and be reasonably representative both in terms of
the scale of the topic and in time you have available. You will collect
data conducting surveys, asking questions, observing, mapping or evaluating
your chosen study area. You will learn that as the data needs to be collected
in logical scientific way, pilot and trial runs, sampling design and data
recording are important too. But the data you collect will be original
and different from any thing else found in a textbook. You will learn
a lot in a relatively short time, in a relaxed situation and because you
have been in charge of your own learning, you will not forget it!
Question: How will
I learn?
Answer: Fieldwork will be used to investigate a topic that really
interests you and you will be making the decisions. You will learn by
asking questions such as: What is to be studied? How is it to be investigated?
Where is the information to be found? How will it be found? What is the
best way to analyse the information and can it be explained? What conclusions
can be reached? But above all else, you will begin to see your investigation
in a wider context and have a better understanding of the theory you have
learnt in the classroom.
Question: Where will
the fieldwork take place?
Answer: Fieldwork gives you the opportunity to get out of the classroom
and into a different environment which could be local or further afield.
In all situations you investigate questions, issues and problems that
exist in real life, and find out facts and gain first hand experience
whether it is in the local shopping centre, in a planning office, by the
coast or on a farm.
Question: Who will
help me with the fieldwork?
Answer: Most UK examination boards permit group collection of data
and so after classroom discussion you could be working with your peers
in relative independence. However you should make an assessment of likely
risks and discuss them with your teacher. Most students enjoy working
with their peers in a different environment. You learn to manage your
own time and discuss what you are doing in an informal situation which
is different from and distinguishes it from other tasks that students
may be asked to do.
Be warned! Conducting fieldwork and writing it up is a demanding task. Completing it successfully is an achievement even if (like most students) you have not done everything you intended. However the fieldwork component can be the most satisfying part of a course. You should have a real sense of achievement as it is your own personal work and the motivation to make strides towards other academic goals.
Meg Hart, Principal Moderator Specification 'AS level', Edexcel.
The "Berchtesgaden Declaration" is the output of the international conference entitled "The Alpine experience - an approach for other mountain regions?". The conference took place from 26 to 29 June 2002 in Berchtesgaden in the Bavarian Alps of Germany, where the Alpine Convention was first initiated. It was organized by the International Alpine Protection Commission CIPRA, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the Federal Republic of Germany (Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety and the Federal Ministry for Consumer Protection, Food and Agriculture), the Free State of Bavaria (Bavarian State Ministry of Regional Development and Environmental Affairs), the Berchtesgaden National Park, and the German Technical Cooperation (GTZ).
The conference reviewed the Alpine Convention process and discussed ongoing programmes and existing regional cooperation projects in many Eurasian mountain regions geared towards the sustainable development. This conference was one of the official preparatory conferences for the global conference concluding the International Year of Mountains, the Global Mountain Summit in Bishkek/Kyrgyzstan.
Further information can be obtained from Stefanie Wurm, Stefanie.Wurm@gtz.de, http://www.gtz.de
The
Berchtesgaden Declaration on Mountain Range Regional Cooperation
We, the representatives of state, regional and local governments, representatives
of international bodies, non-governmental organisations, academic, science
and research institutions, international financial institutions and development
assistance agencies, the private sector and other entities all with responsibilities
for mountain affairs locally, regionally or worldwide - have assembled
in Berchtesgaden from 26 to 29 June 2002. The purpose of this meeting
was to reflect on lessons provided by the Alpine Process, to discuss principles
and actions required for regional co-operation in mountain areas, and
to reaffirm our commitment for regional partnerships in mountain regions
worldwide.
We act on the basis of a series of preceding documents, most prominently on the Berchtesgaden Declaration of 1989, on the Alpine Convention of 1991, and on the principles of Agenda 21 and its Chapter 13, approved at the Rio Earth Summit in 1992.
We hold that the UN International Year of Mountains 2002 - which includes many important events, such as the upcoming World Summit for Sustainable Development in Johannesburg and the upcoming Global Mountain Summit in Bishkek should conclude with renewed commitment to sustainable mountain development and reaffirm the political will to take action.
We underline the importance of mountain regions as vast reserves of valuable resources, including water, energy and biological diversity - and in terms of other vital ecological, economic, social and cultural functions. Because they include transboundary and thus politically sensitive systems, mountain regions will continue to require careful stewardship.
Against this background we express our deep concern about the fact that, due to human activities, climate variations, and other factors, many mountain ecosystems are in decline, and that poverty in many mountain regions is on the increase. The situation in mountain regions is also characterized by a disproportionate number of armed conflicts and migrations of refugees.
We point out that poverty reduction, locally adapted patterns of sustainable use and containment of regional conflicts are among the major challenges facing governments in mountain areas on the road to a safer, more spiritual, peaceful, equitable and prosperous world.
We acknowledge our responsibility for mountain regions as homes to unique heritage of human kind.
Experience with the Alpine
Process
We acknowledge the global significance of the lessons provided by the
Alpine Process as the only example worldwide of a legally binding inter-governmental
mountain agreement. The Alpine Convention has evolved despite some difficulties
- into a successful platform for regional exchange and negotiations, and
for sustainable development. As a result, it enjoys growing confidence
among Alpine populations.
The Alpine Process demonstrates that regional cooperation as a process owes its success to the participation and support of local populations and local governments, right from the earliest planning stages rather than to a legal framework alone.
NGOs have played a key role in the formulation and promotion of the framework agreement, and in actual implementation and projects. Community networks and committed citizens have fostered the acceptance of the Convention among Alpine populations, and they have enabled related measures at the local level.
The Alpine Process lives through locally implemented programs and projects, as well as through regional exchanges of experiences. Non-governmental organisations in the Alps have been instrumental in ensuring the existence of the framework convention and in the implementation of concrete activities and projects. A network of local governments and other citizen networks have facilitated acceptance of the Convention and provided continuous support for the required changes at the local level.
We acknowledge that the key to success in the Alpine process lies in transparent and continuous communication among the governments at all levels and local civil society, and in adherence to the principle of subsidiarity. Exchange of region- and location-specific information at the regional level is a pre-condition for fruitful co-operation.
We point out that each region would have to develop its own approach. The Alpine Convention is not transferable as such to other regions of the world. Rather each region will need to develop its own approach. However, many of the principles as well as the implementation experiences under the Alpine Process are likely to prove relevant and helpful.
These principles are stated in the attached set of recommendations entitled "10 Berchtesgaden Principles for Regional Cooperation". 10 Berchtesgaden Principles for Regional Cooperation
Governments, the international community, the private sector, non-governmental organisations and all other mountain stakeholders should consider basing their actions on these principles:
- Hold Government Accountable
The primary responsibility for ensuring sustainable and equitable management across mountain ranges at the national and sub-national levels rests with the governments. Sustainable mountain policies nationally are a requisite for any broader regional cooperation.Improved governance frameworks must be put in place, if governments are to become responsive creators and managers of effective legal and regulatory frameworks.
- Keep a Regional Focus
Regional cooperation is necessary for sharing benefits and for peaceful development of mountain regions. The experience gained from the Alpine Process shows that regional action processes or regional conventions represent the most appropriate scale for planning and implementation in mountain range development, and can provide the most relevant framework for sub-regional and national plans and processes.
- Foster equality& equity
Equitable regional cooperation fostering equal opportunities can secure local livelihoods, reduce vulnerability to disasters and lead to a sustainable use and protection of mountain natural resources. Equitable access to resources is a mainstay for peace. Equitable gender and minority policies are among the most effective ways to combat poverty.
- Decentralise
Decentralisation is key. The local level is where regional and national policy must respond to community needs. Local authorities if delegated the power and the means can provide for increased responsiveness and transparency in the management of mountain resources and for increases in local participation.
- Set clear objectives chart
a course flexibly
Clear objectives, quality expectations, and tangible indicators to measure change are a key to success in regional mountain cooperation. Processes to reach such objectives and political instruments need to be flexible. Legally binding agreements can be toothless unless they are coupled with active participatory and cooperative strategies. Due to the great differences in geo-political, socio-economic and environmental conditions of mountain regions, objectives, priorities, and processes will vary from region to region.
- Participation of local
communities and civil society organisations
The participation of local populations, and of civil society groups and organisations is essential for regional cooperation. They should be engaged throughout, from planning through implementation, to monitoring. Participation creates ownership of, and commitment to, sustainable mountain development and it reduces tensions and conflict.
- Networks
To become a sustainable process, regional cooperation requires and benefits from multiple transboundary networks. For example, networks of mountain stakeholders and research institutions are necessary for both the effective exchange of experiences, access to and transmission and dissemination of information. Academic and research institutions have a major role to play in this context.
- Build Capacity-Share Knowledge
Knowledge is the foundation of understanding of inter- linkages and for decision-making. Shared knowledge, respect for different forms of knowledge and inter-disciplinary approaches are an important ingredient in building regional consensus and resolving conflicts. Capacity building is required at all levels. It needs to be based on integrating the distinct and complementary contributions of local, traditional knowledge, knowledge from different professionals and disciplines, and the hands-on experience of practitioners. Practical actions to build partnerships and create channels for sharing information at all levels are the key to bringing regional cooperation to life.
- Encourage Partnerships
New partnerships and coalitions, involving governments, non-governmental organisations, private sector, local government and local populations, have to be encouraged to ensure information flows, consensus building, and overall sustainable regional cooperation. These should include in particular arrangements, such as e.g. environmental service agreements, between upstream and downstream communities and users of transboundary watershed resources.
- Engage the international
community
Global conventions, UN organizations and other international agreements and programs can provide valuable support at the thematic level. Examples include the Conventions on Climate Change, Biodiversity, Wetlands, Desertification, and Migratory Species. Linkages with these mechanisms are encouraged to orient and empower various processes of regional co-operation. In addition, the long term commitment of the international community and engagement of donors will often be needed in support of sustainable regional development.
Our Commitment
We urge the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg to
take account of the outcome of this international conference on regional
cooperation in mountain ranges, and call upon it to recommend and support
the establishment of regional partnerships for sustainable development.
We pledge our support for regional initiatives and agreements for the protection and sustainable management of the Carpathian, Caucasus and Central Asian mountains, and encourage all mountain regions of the world to follow suit.
Moreover we welcome cross-regional exchange of experience, and express support for international partnerships for Sustainable Development in Mountain Regions.
We expect that the Global Mountain Summit in Bishkek in October 2002 will be a good opportunity to take forward the recommendations, roles and actions for all partners in regional and global cooperation in mountain areas.
We are convinced that we can act and that we must act. We know the principles.
29 June 2002, Berchtesgaden, Germany
Speaking at a Roundtable Meeting at the European Parliament last October, Prince Sadruddin Aga Khan, Chairman of Alp Action reported on the problems caused by transporting heavy loads through the Alps. The following is a transcript of some of the main points covered in his speech.
The United Nations have named 2002 International Mountain Year, in order to improve recognition of the fundamental role of mountain regions as a storehouse of biodiversity, as a water reservoir, as a source of rivers and as a climate regulator. The beauty of mountains and their function as recreational and cultural areas attract tourists in their millions (one hundred and twenty million to the Alps, and more than five million to Mont Blanc alone, every year).
In Europe the Alps form a barrier between the north and south of the continent. This barrier has always been negotiable since ancient times, and has always been an area for the exchange of ideas, people and goods. But the present situation is somewhat different from that obtaining in the past. Two hundred million metric tons of goods (two-thirds by road) cross the Alps every year, and nine thousand lorries make their way through the Brenner, Fréjus and Gothard Passes, with harmful effects for the local population and for the balance of nature. Then there are the accidents: thirty-nine deaths in the Mont-Blanc Tunnel in 1999, and twelve deaths in the Austrian Tauern Tunnel a few months later, because the Alpine road tunnels have not been modified to allow the passage of heavy loads of up to forty metric tons.
We have been told that when it re-opens the Mont-Blanc Tunnel will be "the safest tunnel in the world". But it is still only seven metres wide, and lorries have to climb to an altitude of one thousand four hundred metres with a gradient of 7% for seventeen kilometres, scarcely a few metres away from majestic glaciers.
Recently the European Commission issued its white paper on transport policy for the next ten years, and stated that "a modern transport system has to be a sustainable system that simultaneously satisfies economic, social and environmental requirements". Proposals have been put forward with regard to the transalpine railway lines.
In the best instances, it will take fifteen to twenty years to complete these new infrastructures. By then, so ministers and commissioners tell us, the volume of goods transported throughout Europe will have doubled. Six new countries will have been admitted to the European Union, and the Maurienne, Brenner and Gothard valleys and their inhabitants will be more and not less in danger of asphixiation…
We have been told that we must avoid egotism and that we should reassure the Maurienne valley, which has been asphyxiated by seven thousand lorries a day since the closure of the Mont-Blanc Tunnel… But the situation will not be improved by dividing the number of lorries and nuisances between more tunnels and by re-opening the Mont-Blanc Tunnel.
The fundamental problem will
remain the same:
There are too many lorries in our Alpine valleys and they are suffocating
the population and stifling the environment. We need strong policy options
that go beyond the construction of new infrastructures.
Action is needed now. The solution that must be found for the problem of transporting heavy loads under Mont Blanc, which has become symbolic for all those who are fighting to protect the quality of life in the Alps, will show that there is an a real will to implement a lasting transport policy in Europe.
There are actions and measures that can be taken immediately:
At a local level, it is necessary to put into effect permanent air-pollution measures on sites exposed to transalpine traffic, together with wind and temperature-inversion detection measures.
At a national level: a prohibition on night traffic for heavy loads on all transalpine routes. Lorries do not move at night in Switzerland, and restrictions are already in force in Austria.
At a European level: a limitation to a humanly and environmentally acceptable level of the number of lorries taking transalpine routes. Actual and possible alternatives are already in existence in the western Alps, in terms of the Mont-Cenis and the southern Léman-Simplon railway lines.
Last of all, we must ask why it is necessary to assess the growth of our economies on the basis of goods transported on our roads. A reduction in the amount of goods carried is an absolute necessity and a challenge to the organization of our society. A choice of this kind means putting an end to practices that are impermissible from a social viewpoint in the sense of companies radically splitting up their production processes. This tendency to divide manufacturing processes in order to reap the benefit of the most advantageous labour costs multiplies the number of road consignments to a considerable extent.
Detailed analyses also show that twenty-nine per cent of the goods carried by transalpine road transport are foodstuffs and agricultural products. The lorry that caused the Mont-Blanc disaster was carrying margarine and flour from Belgium to Italy. It is time to re-institute an inquiry into the appropriateness of this system that leads to the movement over thousands of kilometres across Europe of goods, including live animals, that could be produced in each of the regions of Europe.
Sustainable development and national and regional planning policies must concentrate on a revaluation of regional economic exchanges, the promotion of short distribution networks, support for a high-quality local farm agriculture, and all those measures that would constitute an alternative to the unrestrained globalization of trade. The European Parliament has an essential part to play in this respect.
New Web Site Reports on
Environment and Sustainable Development in Yugoslavia
EkoForum from Belgrade, a non-governmental organization for sustainable
development and protection of the environment, has announced the launch
of their new web site, which reports on the condition of the environment
in Yugoslavia, as well as sustainable development in that country and
abroad. See the site at: http://www.ekoforum.org.yu
Huaraz Declaration on the
Sustainable Development of Mountain Ecosystems
The Second International Meeting
of Mountain Ecosystems: 'Peru, country of mountains towards 2020: Water,
life and production, was held in Huaraz, Peru in June. The Huaraz Declaration
on the Sustainable Development of Mountain Ecosystems can be found on
the International Year of Mountains Web Site at http://www.mountains2002.org/archive/news/huarezdec.html
World Mountain Symposium
Proceedings
The World Mountain Symposium 'Community Development between Subsidy,
Subsidiarity and Sustainability' was held in Interlaken, Switzerland from
31st September to 4th October 2001. The complete proceedings from the
symposium are available on the World Mountain Symposium web site at: http://www.wms2001.ch/cd
Mountains and Mountain
Forests Maps
As a first step to evaluating global mountain forest resources and the
threats to them, UNEP-WCMC (in collaboration with the Environmental Change
Institute and kindly supported by the Swiss Agency for Development and
Co-operation) has made a first attempt to map the mountain forests of
the world. The results are presented on the WCMC Mountains and Mountain
Forests website as regional maps and statistics at: http://www.unep-wcmc.org/habitats/mountains/
Journal of Tourism
The Centre for Mountain Tourism
and Hospitality Studies at HNB Garhwal University publishes a biannual
research Journal of Tourism. The present issue includes the following
research papers:
- The Carpathian Ecoregion - A New Initiative for Conservation and Sustainable Tourism: The Case of Marmures.
- Incompatibility of Hiking and Skiing in the Mt Togyu National Park in Korea: An Implication for the National Park Management.
- Tourism, Peace and Sustainability: A Human Resource Development Perspective.
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to a future issue of the Virtual Montana Newsletter we would be pleased
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To send a contribution or for further details please e-mailvirtualmontana@hope.ac.uk.
The next issue of the Newsletter is due for publication in November. The
theme of the newsletter will be Environmental Impact and Sustainability
of Fieldwork. As some fieldwork sites become increasingly popular
with students and teachers, what effects are increased numbers having
on the surrounding environment and is it sustainable? Please e-mail contributions
for this next issue to be received by Friday 25 October.
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