Sustainable Integrated Land Use of the Eurasian Steppe

	First demonstration project starts in June, July in Odessa oblast, at one of the pilot project site. Technologies and farming regimes, which are related to the below-mentioned issues will be demonstrated on the territory of former Tarutino Polygon, at preveousely explored and defined steppe sites:

	- raising productivity of steppe pasture;

	- sustainable farming considering steppe biodiversity conservation;

	- nature reserve management inclusive of rural territories development, etc.

	Demonstrational projects encompass lands with different ownership forms, incl private. Their results have practical value and are oriented at farms and private users of steppe resources. They can be compared with existing farming practices and it can be measured how much advantageous is the proposed regime/s of land use for this region.

	What does it mean, for instance, to the farmer? For the farmer it means that he can disseminate and use methodologies and results of the demonstration projects, when he sees, that from specific steppe area there can be received much more hay to feed his livestock if the seeds of needed plants are interplanted in the soil in a due time.

	What does it mean for the entrepreneurs? For entrepreneurs, who own land in the steppe, the data of demonstrational projects can be useful while planning there the infrastructure of their own business: aesthetic side of adjoining territories is not insignificant, if we talk about tourism, and if they have a horse farm in their possession, practice of horse pasture for stimulation of traditional stepe plants growth is invaluable.

	What does it mean for the state? An example of rational and sustainable land use in the steppes and in the zone of the hazardous agriculture (revival of cattle breeding, rural tourism development) will facilitate rural areas development, increase livelihoods level and facilitate the forming of solicitous attitude to the steppe being an important source of their welfare.

	Project results will help local population to apply such mechanisms of the land use, which would optimize their costs and will not do destructive effect on steppe ecosystems.
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Sustainable Integrated Land Use of the Eurasian Steppe

General information - Interactive map

About the project

The Project “Sustainable Integrated Land Use of Eurasian Steppe” is implemented in the territories of steppe ecosystems of the three countries – Ukraine, Russian Federation and Moldova, which embraces Lugansk and Odessa oblast in Ukraine, Manych valley in Russia, steppe plots in Cahul rayon and on the west bank of Dnester in Moldova. The Project is operating since December 2007 and will be elongated till the end of 2009.

Project Coordination Office is located in Kiev, local coordinators are operating in Chisinau, Rostov-on-Don, Lugansk and Odessa.

Project Management is performed by the Joint Steering Committee, which includes representatives of the Delegation of European Commission to Ukraine, Euroconsult MottMacDonald, Ministry of Environmental Protection of the three countries, and also the representatives of relevant authorities, representatives of local executive bodies, Project Director.

Project Geography

Russia. Rostov oblast is represented in the project by Manych valley conservation area.
Ukraine. Ukraine is represented in the project by the areas of Streltsovskaya steppe – section of Lugansk National Reserve and neighboring steppe territories, which are of private use;
land areas of Tarutino steppe (leased farms, territories of the future regional and landscape park), basin of Tiligul and Kiyalnik (Odessa oblast).
Moldova. Is represented by steppe ecosystems areas in Cahul rayon.

Project Tasks

Main project task is to test in practice and implement such mechanisms of steppe area management, which would facilitate the development of rural areas on one hand and conservation of steppe ecosystem areas on the other hand.

- Promotion among the farmers and agricultural structures of sustainable, environmentally sound land use of steppe areas for the conservation of steppe biodiversity;

- Restoration of abandoned and degraded steppe territories; increase of steppe grasslands productivity;

- Development and implementation of market mechanisms, which aim at conservation and restoration of steppe, and also agriculture development;

- Lobbying and promotion of the issues of sustainable steppe land use management at legislative level.

- Conduct specific activities and exercise developed mechanisms in the frame of pilot projects

Project Partners

Local and international experts on land use, rural development, ecological expertise, CO2 emission, financial mechanisms development and other related qualifications, are involved in the project. Their experience, professional skills and relations help to develop and implement specific mechanisms, and to work them out in the frame of pilot projects in the specific territories.

Besides that, partners of the project are the Ministry of ecology and nature resources of the Republic of Moldova, Ministry of environmental protection of Ukraine and Administration of Rostov oblast in Russian Federation.

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