 |
Mountain Protected Area Network |
|
25 April 2004
PRESS RELEASE:
Key Mountain Areas of the World
Aided by New Edition of Protection Guidelines Russian-speaking managers of key mountain areas in
Europe and Asia have recently gained a valuable new resource. A Russian
language version of the updated book Guidelines for Planning and
Managing Mountain Protected Areas, published by IUCN-The World Conservation Union, is
now available. The English and Spanish versions of this book were published
in late 2004, and premiered at the 8th World Conservation
Congress in Bangkok, Thailand. Mountains
are vital parts of Earth’s landscape, and provide water, food, refuge,
and spiritual inspiration to many peoples. They also harbor important
oases of biological and cultural diversity on the planet, sustaining
endangered plants, animals, and indigenous cultures. Over 9,000 mountain
protected areas (including 61 World Heritage areas) have been established
worldwide, from Sagarmatha (Mount Everest) in Nepal to Mauna Loa in
Hawaii. Several major mountain ranges of the world are contained within,
or border on, Russian-speaking countries: high-altitude ranges such
as the Karakoram, Hindu Kush, Pamir, Tian Shan, Kunlun, and Altai; the
Caucasus, with the highest point in Europe, Mt. Elbrus (5,642 m); and the Urals, one of the oldest mountain ranges on Earth. Recognizing
that mountains are also very fragile and in need of special management,
in September 2003 sixty of the world’s leading mountain management experts
met in the Drakensberg Mountains of South Africa to formulate updated guidelines
for planning and managing mountain protected areas. This collaborative
effort was viewed as a wise investment for the future of global mountain
protection. Graeme Worboys, Vice Chair (Mountains Biome) of the IUCN
World Commission on Protected Areas (PAs) welcomes this new Russian-language
edition of the updated Guidelines
and points out its significance. “I am delighted that a new Russian translation of the
IUCN publication Guidelines for
Planning and Managing Mountain Protected Areas has been produced.
This small but extremely valuable book generated by Emeritus Professor
Larry Hamilton, Linda McMillan and the World Commission on Protected
Areas Mountains network is already available in English and Spanish
versions. IUCN-WCPA Mountains member Dr Yuri Badenkov, who was present
at the Drakensberg expert meeting achieved the translation and saw to
publication of this Russian version. This means updated information
on how to conserve and protect mountain areas will be made available
more widely around the world. Mountains occupy about 23% of the earth’s
surface, and 32% of the more than 100,000 protected areas of the world
are found in mountainous areas. This is a great achievement—congratulations
to all concerned.” This new book is an updated version of
Guidelines for Mountain Protected Areas,
published in English by IUCN in 1992 and in Russian by the Russian Academy
of Science in 1993. Dr Yuri Badenkov, who served as translator/facilitator
for both the 1993 and the 2005 publications, explained the important
value of these books to mountain protection. “The Russian version
of the previous edition of Guidelines
received great interest in Russia and Russian-speaking CIS countries.
Natalya Danilina, Head of Protected Areas Department in the Ministry
of Nature and Resources Protection of the Russian Federation at that
time, distributed it to all Mountain PAs (zapovedniks)
in Russia. This new edition should have a significant impact on mountain
PAs policy and practical issues.” This new book is available beginning May
2005 at no cost except for shipping and handling charges. Copies of the book may be obtained
by contacting: Dr.
Yuri P. Badenkov Staromonetny,
29 Tel:
+7 (095) 418 55 32 #### Home | Contacts | Exec Team | Member Forum | About the IUCN | About the World Commission on Protected Areas
Hosted
by © McMillan Associates |
|
