FINNISH-RUSSIAN DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME ON SUSTAINABLE FOREST MANAGEMENT AND CONSERVATION OF BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY IN NORTHWEST RUSSIA
– Second Phase (NWRDP II) for 2001-2004
Forest resources in Northwest Russia – ecological and economic role
 Russian boreal forests constitute about 60 percent of the world’s total boreal forest area. Over 80 percent of the Northwest Russia is covered by the boreal forest zone – taiga and sub-taiga forests. Therefore Russia’s decisions concerning forestry and nature conservation are important for the future of the whole northern coniferous zone.
During the last years (1997-2000), a significant part of co-operation between Finland and Russia in the field of sustainable forestry and nature conservation has been organized in the framework of the Finnish-Russian Development Programme on Sustainable Forest Management and Conservation of Biological Diversity in Northwest Russia (NWRDP). The Programme covers both forestry and biodiversity issues. From the beginning of 2001, the Programme has entered the second phase for the years 2001–2004.
Objectives of the Programme
The existence of internationally credible nature conservation areas’ network and environmentally sound forestry practices form prerequisites for sustainable future of forestry in the whole world. The main aim of this Programme is to contribute to a balanced development of the forestry sector as well as encourage conservation of biodiversity in NW Russia.
One of the objectives of this bilateral co-operation is also to facilitate and promote international dialogue on needs and possibilities for sustainable forestry and nature protection in NW Russia. Co-operation naturally includes a comprehensive examination of issues related to cultural heritage, economic and social questions.
International commitments
The Finnish-Russian co-operation is closely linked to the international initiatives and agreements concerning sustainable forest management and conservation of biodiversity, namely the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), Rio de Janeiro 1992 and the Ministerial Conference on the Protection of Forests in Europe, Helsinki 1993.
The Second Phase of the Programme will be co-ordinated with, and contribute to the Forest Sector Programme for the European Union Northern Dimension, which is elaborated in the framework of the Barents Euro-Arctic Council. In future, the direction of international co-operation will undoubtedly be towards strengthening a multi-partner approach, especially between the European Union and Russia. Also development of joint projects between the Nordic countries and Northwest Russia will be intensified.
Organisational structure
Programme management structure consists of three levels:
- I Supervisory board,
- II Steering committees, and
- III Co-ordination of projects.
On the Finnish side the Programme is a joint venture of the Ministry of the Environment, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, and the Ministry for Foreign Affairs. The Russian partner ministries are the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
In Finland the project co-ordination is carried out by the Finnish Environment Institute (biodiversity projects) and the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (forestry projects). On the Russian side the Committees of Natural Resources of the Regions and the Department of Natural Resources of the Northwest Russia Federal District act as partners. On the practical level in the co-operation take part many different actors, for example scientific and training institutions, forest organisations, etc.
Financing
The Finnish contribution for the Programme implementation is financed from an assigned national source responsible for co-operation with neighbouring areas and co-ordinated by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs. In addition to the Finnish financing, Russian local, regional and federal funding are allocated to joint project activities.
In 2001 the total funding for the Programme was about 1 060 000 EURO.
Activities under NWRDP
Jointly implemented development projects are the main form of the co-operation. Working in close co-operation the Finnish and Russian participants are equally responsible for project identification, preparation and implementation.
 Joint projects are carried out in four regions of NW Russia: Karelian Republic, Leningrad, Murmansk, and Arkangelsk regions. In addition to these, there are forestry projects implemented also in Komi Republic and Novgorod region, and biodiversity projects in Vologda region.
Since 1997, during NWRDP Phase I, altogether 23 forestry and 18 biodiversity projects have been carried out in the framework of the Programme.
In the field of forestry the focus of co-operation has been on forest management practices, forest planning and information systems, forest certification and bio-energy. A lot of emphasis has been put on implementing and testing the model forest concept in the conditions of Northwest Russia. Regardless the project theme, research based development, as well as training have been cross-cutting elements in all co-operation.
Forestry projects started in 2001:
1.Development of education and training methods for the environmentally and ecologically sustainable utilisation of natural resources in the Leningrad region – Supplementary Project (estimated completion 2002).
2. Development of forest management in Northwest Russia (2003).
3. Development of training need assessment in Northwest Russia (2002).
4. Modelling and assessment of forest resources, their future use and economic accessibility in Northwest Russia (2002).
5. Improving the communication methods and practices in the forest sector of the Republic of Karelia (2002).
6. Development of forest certification in Russia (2001).
7. Finnish-Russian Working Group on Forest Certification (2001).
 In the field of nature protection projects, the emphasis has been on inventories of biological diversity and research of valuable nature objects and areas. Besides, examination of endangered species and contribution to their protection, as well as support for publication of regional Red Data Books on nature protected areas, endangered animals, plants and fungi have been central to these activities. Conducted projects have produced a considerable amount of valuable information about the nature, the state of nature and its need for protection in each different region.
Biodiversity projects started in 2001:
1. Renovation of Nature Information Centre for the planned National Park “Ladozhkie Shery“ in Sortavala, Karelian Republic (estimated completion 2002).
2. Study of the forest structure, past and present disturbance dynamics of biodiversity in a natural forest landscape in Paanajärvi, Karelian Republic (2001).
3. Publications of biodiversity inventories in the Republic of Karelia (2002).
4. Inventories of natural, cultural and landscape values of the "Great Andom“ watershed on the border area of Vologda, Arkangelsk regions and Karelian Republic, and the “Kirillov“ esker in the Vologda region (2002).
5. Publication of the Red Data Book of Vologda region (plants and fungi) (2002).
6. Official authorized approval of four proposed protected areas (Ozera Vuoksa, Termolovskij, Myllysaari, Reka Velichka) in Leningrad region (2001).
7. Establishment plans and studies for two proposed nature protected areas (Dolina reki Smorodinki, Prinevski) in Leningrad region (2001).
8. Comprehensive study of the existing 12 nature protected areas in Leningrad region (2001).
9. Starting phase of representativeness analyses of the protection areas network (Gap-analyses) in Leningrad, Murmansk, Arkangelsk and Vologda regions, and the Republic of Karelia (2001).
More information:
Biodiversity projects: www.vyh.fi/kvasiat/lahialue/venmetsa/venmetsa.htm
Forestry projects:www.mmm.fi/english/forestry/nwrdp/default.htm
Contact information
Biodiversity projects:
Riitta Hemmi
Project co-ordinator
Finnish Environment Institute
P.O.Box 140, FIN-00251 HELSINKI
Phone: +358 9 4030 0775
Mobile: +358 400 120 431
Telefax: +358 9 4030 0791
e-mail: riitta.hemmi@vyh.fi
Erna Keinonen
Project assistant
Finnish Environment Institute
P.O.Box 140, FIN-00251 HELSINKI
Phone: +358 9 4030 0734
Telefax: +358 9 4030 0791
e-mail: erna.keinonen@ymparisto.fi
Forestry projects:
Tatu Torniainen
Project co-ordinator
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
P.O. Box 23, FIN-00023 GOVERNMENT
Phone: +358 9 160 2404
Telefax: +358 9 160 2430
e-mail: tatu.torniainen@mmm.fi
Top | Back | Home
|
