The Role Of The Civil Society In Protecting The Natural Areas – Between Legislation And Implementation

Abstract

In Romania there is a legislation that regulates different aspects of the protection and administration of natural areas- from the way they are being established to the way permissible activities in and around these areas are being regulated. Nevertheless, based on studies released by different interested forums, the core issue has been identified to be the poor informing of the population concerning the importance of protecting the biodiversity and its role in ensuring a support system of life and in developing socio-economical systems. The presence of the inhabitants on the natural areas and the activities they conduct have a great impact on the natural environment, thus making their involvement in protecting the biodiversity extremely important. The general public needs to become more aware of the fact that the preservation of nature does not constitute a unique, self-defeating purpose, that requires the saccrifice of all means, and that the presence of a reservation in their community could lead to a highly beneficial sustainable development, both socially and economically as a result of increasing financial stability for the local population. Throughout this process of communication/ awareness raising/ ecological education, a key role is being played by the environmental non-governmental organizations that, through their misison, can be more visible and more efficient in achieving the purpose of making the public aware and thus creating a responsible behaviour and a direct involvement in protecting and administrating the natural areas.