The European Green Belt initiative aims to create an ecological reserve that runs from the Barents to the Black Sea, spanning some of the most important habitats for biodiversity in Europe.
By following a course that was in large sections part of the former East-West frontier – one of the most divisive barriers in history – it symbolises the global effort for cross-border nature conservation and sustainable development. The Iron Curtain Way, as wags are beginning to call it, will focus on some of Europe’s most impressive and fragile landscapes and will also increase opportunities for the socio-economic development of local communities.
The Green Belt
The Green Belt connects national parks, nature parks, biosphere reserves and cross-boundary protected areas, as well as non-protected areas along or across borders, running for more than 8,500 kilometres from the border between Norway and Russia on the Barents Sea in the north to the Albania-Greece border on the Adriatic. The Green Belt is known for its high density of protected areas – more than 3200 can be found within a 25 km zone on either side of the borders.
It will not be a consistent strip, but rather a series of core areas, corridors and stepping stones, linking a string of important habitats – a ‘string of pearls’ – some a few kilometres wide, others not even 30 metres. In most places along the Green Belt, the areas on both sides of the borders are not homogeneous, but comprise several habitats, grassland fallow and wetlands, mature woodlands, wilderness areas and man-made landscapes. Linking the areas is tremendously important for migrating species such as wolves, bears, lynx or amphibians and birds.
Former Iron Curtain
Along the length of the former Iron Curtain were military training areas, arsenals, airstrips, tank strips and waste deposits. These military areas were often depopulated and taken out of regular economic activity for 50 years or more, thus sustaining no intensive agriculture, no residential building, no quarrying or
mining, no hydrological changes and no use of fertilizers. Natural processes such as river erosion and sedimentation and the accumulation of dead wood in forests could take place unhindered. As a consequence, otherwise endangered species continue to thrive here, including wild orchids, fish otters and black storks.
On the other hand, long-term use of military areas led to a significant contamination of parts of the land and of groundwater. It is important to investigate the state of these lands, lest they pose a danger to nature or animal or human health in future. Area that was farmed or cultivated was often subject to different methods of management, which are still visible in the landscape. The Green Belt initiative aims to stop privatization and land speculation from doing irreversible damage to natural habitats and at the same time leaving local people without opportunities for self-determined development.
European Cooperation
Wonderful ideal, hard to put into practice. Cooperation between the 12 or more countries that abut the old frontier may take some time, as well as careful planning and diplomacy. The initiative’s objectives range from the local to the global, so the route of the Green Belt is divided into three regional sections for the purposes of organization :Fennoscandia and the Baltic; Central Europe; and South Eastern Europe.
How long will it be since we can walk the length of the Green Curtain? Some years, although parts of it, particularly in Germany, are well under way. The project has the modest goal of providing ‘a useful contribution to the commitments made by countries to halt the loss of biodiversity by 2010’. It is certainly a space to watch.
To find the best holidays to these regions, look for the UK-based operator AwimAway (020 7430 1766, www.awimaway.com) that offers adventure and experiential holidays around the world, customized to suit your desires and your budget.
Harish Kohli
http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-tips-articles/turning-the-iron-curtain-green-140648.html
For everyone out there. what do you think of my book?
it’s for children from ages 9-12.
Chapter one.
The door behind the curtain remained locked since Tim was a young kid. It had a round, iron handle dangling from its wooden structure and the letter D carved with a knife below the eyehole.
Slowly, Tim strolled towards the door. He explored every single drawer, wardrobe, and box in their house, except for this door. Secretly, each night his father, Denver, would rush behind it and Tim would hear the clack of the key in the lock. Today he decided that the time came for him to uncover what lies beyond the door; he must know where his father goes each night.
“Where do you think yourself going young man?” A tall slender woman marched between Tim and the door, her high heels clicking rhythmatically over the wooden floor. Her sharp, pale face seemed to be carved out of wood. She ran a finger under her crooked nose, which looked like a v turned upside down, and sniffed at it.
Tim’s gaze widened. He thought that Mirkanda was under her quilt, dreaming. He turned his head to the clock hanging at the wall to his left. It was 3 am. Why was she awake?
Tim hated Mirkanda. After the death of his mother three weeks ago, his father brought her. She remained silent all day long, her wide, green eyes watchful over the door behind the curtain.
“I want to see father.” Tim said. “Let me in”
“He’s busy dear,” mirkanda approached Tim and placed a cold hand over his hair. Tim shook. “You should go sleep now.”
“But I won’t sleep, I want to see dad. I have some papers that I want him to sign for me.”
“I told you he’s busy dear you must go now.” She stood at the middle of the door, her hands crossed and her gaze fixated over Tim.
“She won’t let you in” Tim told himself. “Try more.”
“Fine just get out of the way mirkanda.” Tim yelled at her. “You’re being stupid. He’s my father and I can see him anytime I want, just hand me the key and let me in.”
“Only your father can pass through this door,” mirkanda said, her tone low and her pace slow. “Mr. Denver asked me not to allow anyone through this door, and I’m fulfilling his wish. Go to your bed”
“It’s an order get out of the way.” Tim pushed mirkanda from her waist. She remained motionless. He kept on shoving at her body, but it got heavier with every try. She seemed that her feet were implanted in the ground.
Mirkanda slapped Tim on the face. Her eyes swollen with anger and her body as stiff as iron. “No one will pass.” she hollered at Tim.
Tim lied on his back. Suddenly, he pushed himself up and ran at mirkanda, but before he reached her, he sniffed at the air.
The waft of fumes slipped from somewhere above him. He sniffed again, and then he felt heat emerging from his head. Placing his hand slowly at his hair, he dragged it back swiftly. He was signed. Flames were eating at his hair.
Tom bounded all over the place. He screamed and kicked at the cushions on the sofa. “My hair,” he billowed to the ceiling. “Do something mirkanda. I will die. Bring water.”
Mirkanda stood, propped against the wall, and watching Tim as he shrieked louder across the living room. She smiled to herself, flicked her thumb against her forefinger, and winked at Tim’s head.
The fire went out. Tim dashed at her. “What did you do to my hair?”
“I warned you boy.” She said, as she placed the cushions back over the sofa. “Next time ,I promise, the harm will be greater.”
Interesting but there are some strange things, why does the lady smell her finger? and why does the boy lie on the ground then get up and run at her?
References :