hateg geopark dinosaurs romania

8/7/2019 Hateg Geopark Dinosaurs Romania

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The Haeg Country Dinosau s Geopa k follo sa philosophy that makes it sp cial a dsometimes harder to be under tood, the foll wi ginformation comes to help you ecome o r p rtnerfor a sustainable future of the Haeg Co ntr .

H A E G C O U N T R Y D I N O S A U R S G E O P A R K


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file 1.

For Romania, theGeopark opens anew era in approachingnatural and culturalheritage conservation

in the context of localdevelopment.

For the fi rst timein our country,universities, centraland local authorities,antepreneurs,schools and NGOsare participating asparteners in creating

and implementing anintegrated strategyfor sustainabledevelopment.

General objectives of theGeopark

As a general frame and also as a

model for regional development

the Geopark has to plan and

develop activities able to involveall the groups and also to assure

a real sustainability and socio-

economic impact. The Geopark

development has three main

objectives or areas of future

development:

1. Development of the GeoPark

structure

2. Development of economic and

cultural activities

3. Education and training in formaland informal structures

The expected achievements and

impact can be regarded at the local

and regional levels.

Local levelThe Geopark creates a network

of natural and cultural signifi cant

localities, that are abundant in

the Hateg area, to be included in

organized tourist routes.The Geopark will become a place of

scientifi c and ecologic education

and training.

All these eff ects will be fi rstly felt

Copyright GeoMedia Center 2005

by the local communities that will

be encouraged to create facilities

infrastructure for hosting the visitors

and development of eco-tourism. The

project will contribute to the revival

of the folk traditions (costumes,

dances) and handicrafts, creationof new small enterprises for

processing agricultural products.

Regional level

The Geopark develops a

close cooperation in action

- between institutions and

persons, either from public and

private sectors, governmental and

nongovernmental organization.The Geopark develops a close

involvement of the universities

with their staff specialized in

providing distance learning and

students who play an essential

role in planning and developing

the complex activities of the

projects. The Geopark applies the

principle of social cohesion. It will

become a pilot project of regionaldevelopment in Romania that

can be exported to other regions

of the country

Haeg Country Dinosaurs Geopark


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rnational context ofGeopark`s creation

International Declaration of the

s of the Memories of the Earth

e, France) 1999

opean Association of the

logical Heritage Conservation

Geo) meetings

vern Group

an Group of ProGeo

GeoWG1)

ESCO`s Division of Earth Sciences

the Council of Europe

anian ProGeo Group

UNESCO launched the Geopark

ive

Four European geoparks created

ropean Geoparks Network

Hateg Country Declaration

First International Conference of

arks

Global UNESCO Network of

arks

Steps in Geopark creationIn order to support project development for local changes and

opportunities activities performed were focused on several issues

considered to be key points for successful development:

Field applications and research concerning the Hateg dinosaurs

Interdisciplinary studies and cooperation with local authorities led byUniversity of Bucharest

Establishment of a non-profi t organization Hateg Dinosaurs GeoparkAssociation (HDGA);

Creation of a Partnership lead by the University of Bucharest and comprisingUniversity of Petrosani, Hateg Dinosaurs Geopark Association, University ofArchitecture and Urbanism Ion Mincu, local councils, county council in orderto develop and implementation the Geopark Project ;

Political agreement of all local councils to support the project`s objectivesand to organize periodic meetings. Meetings and discussions with local

administration and stakeholders; Field work done by interdisciplinary teams (geologists, geographers,biologists, architects, sociologists, economists) to identify local needs, datacollection and analsis;

Creation of an Educational Centre in Berthelot Village. The Centre provide

training courses based on the identifi cated local needs.

Create a local educational network able to develop and sustain new teachingand learning strategies adapted to local needs and Geopark development;

Development of educational packages related to the Geopark heritage;

Development of training packages and training courses for local teachingstaff.

International visits and cooperation of project representatives andrepresentatives of local administration in Germany and France;

Design the Land-use Plan. This will establis a general framework for all futureinfrastructure building, houses, or economic constructions

Knowledge transfer: Reserve Geologique (France), Bad Sackingen City

Council (Germany);

Design the Open Air Dinosaurs Museum;

Organize the Annual Meeting of ProgGeo Association (WG1), 2003, Hateg

Declaration Organize a national event to promote the Geopark (see Annexes)

Ofi fi cial recognition of the Geopark as a nature park (HG 2151/11/2004)

Create the Administrative team for the Geopark - two employees

Haeg Country Dinosaurs Geoparkoverview


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file 2.Haeg Country Dinosaurs Geopark

general description

Localization

The area of the Haeg Country

Dinosaurs Geopark overlaps

the Haeg Country, situated in

the north-western part of theMiddle Carpathians.

In the north, the Haeg basin

opens to the depression of

Transilvania through the

corridor of tei, it is rock-

bounded at north-east and

east by the ureanu Mountains,

at south by the Retezat

Mountains, at south-west by

the arcu Mountains, at north-west by the Poiana Rusc

Mountains.

In the south-east, it


To best describe theHaeg, think of:- mountains with highpastures suitable for thesheep heards,

- forests of fi r, beechand oak that fall overthe hills, with patchesof orchards and - valleysthat host fi elds and smallvillages.

For the Geopark, thisrich landscape allowsthe set-up of tourismstructures and also the

diversifi cation of thepackages tourism.

communicates with the

Petroani basin through the

Merior pass, and in the west

with the Rusca Montan basin

through the Transylvanian Iron

Gate pass.

The geopark neighbours to

south the Retezat National

Park and to north-east

the Cioclovina Grditea

Muncelului Naturall Park.

The park has a surface

of 102.392 ha, including

the localities: Densu,

General Berthelot, Toteti,Rchitova, Sntmria Orlea,

Sarmizegetusa, Haeg, Baru

Mare, Slau de Sus, Pui and

Ru de Mori.


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Haeg Country Dinosaurs Geoparkgeneral descriptionLandscape

The relief of the depression

shapes an amphitheatre: the

central tread, the lowest (270

500m), of the piemontane plain,

with terraces and meadows;

the tread of the piemontanehills (500 650m) and the tread

of highlands (650 850m, is

absent in the northern part of

the depression). The maximal

altitude in the geoparks area is

the Lazrului Peak (2282m), in the

Retezat Mountains.

Hydrography

The Strei river springs from theureanu massif, below the Btrna

Peak (1794m), and catches the

affl uents: Rul Mare with Galbena

and Sibiel, Paro, Rul Alb,

Rul Brbat (on the left), Valea

Vraticului and Valea Mare (on the

right).

Climate

The annual average temperature:

6 8C; the average precipitationquantity: 700 800mm/year; in

winter the temperature inversions

are frequent.

The history of habitation

The oldest signs of habitation,

from the Prehistoric period,

were found in the caves from

Ohaba Ponor and Cioclovina;

artefacts from the Dacic period

are still kept at Blidaru, Costeti,Grditea Muncelului; from the

Roman period, signs of workshops

and pottery-kilns were found

in Silvaul de Jos. From the

Medieval period dates the fi rst

documentary attestation of the

Haeg Country, in the Diplome

of the The Knights of Saint

John (1247), with the name of

Terra Harszok. The continuity ofhabitation after this date is proved

by series of written documents

or edifi ces which constitute a real

touristic potential yet not totally

capitalized.

Human settlements

The settlements network is

formed by 79 localities, organized

in 10 communes, each with 5 11

villages, and one town, with a total

population of 38. 133 inhabitants.

Land Use

The general conditions provided

by the relief, clime and the quality

of soils have determined diff erent

land usages. Thus, in the valleys

are gathered the necessary

conditions for the cultivation of

cereals, tehnical and medicinal

plants, while, on the slopes fruit or

animal growing is practiced.


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biodiversity


The different landscapefeatures coveringaltitudes from 300m toover 2.200m, the diferent

geological setting andthe multipe type of sunexposure, have endowedthe Haeg Country witha great biodiversity. Thisrichness is well conserveddue to the small anthropicimpact of the teritory.

VEGETATION

The Biodiversity of the Haeg

Country is close conected with

the vegetation belts found in the

region and the special habitats that

correspod to each of them.Descending from the mountains

towards the plain, there are fi ve

vegetation districts:

- alpine shrubsand grasslandsabove 1800m with Festuca supina,

Vaccinium myrtillus and other

species,

- spurce fi r forests between1300-1800m sometimes locally

mixed with Sorbus aucuparia, Fagus

sylvatica and Abies alba,

- beech forests, often mixed withsimilar species such as Tilia cordata,

Ulmus montana, Fraxinus excelsior,

and in mosaic with meadows and

fi elds

- sessile oak forests, steppe

The geopark aims toprotect, catalogueand monitor, the localbiodiversity, and alsoto integrate it in the

sustainable developmentstrategy to be applied inthe Geopark.

From the fi rst stages ofthe project, activitieshave been conducted in theregion in order to evaluatethe biodiversity.

Several scientifi c papershave been publishedand a special publication,on butterfl ies, has beenproduced and illustratedonly with information fromthe region.

grasslands and fi elds

- turkey oak and hungarian oakforestsfound on small areas ataltitudes lower than 500m, in most

cases already turned into fi elds and

grasslands

NATURA 2000

Following the European Directives,

the geopark team has allready

identifi ed an imortant number of

species and habitats that need

special protection.

Directive 79/409/EEC (Birds)Annex I:Ciconia ciconia, Ficedula parva,Glaucidium passerinum,Lanius collurio,Lanius minor;

Annex II: Corvus corone, Streptopeliadecaocto, Turdus merula, Turdus

philomelos;

Annex III/1:Phasianus colchicus


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Haeg Country Dinosaurs Geoparkbiodiversity

Protected areas in the Geopark

The vegetal species with scientifi c importance are protected in special areas mentioned in Law 5/2000 regarding the

approval of the National Territory Plan section III protected zones.

The Peteana Marsh botanical reserve, protected area of 4th category, with a surface of 2 ha, is situated on the territory ofPeteana village, Densu communa. The meadow represents an under-recent clog, through sphagnatization, of a pleistocenian

lake. Is one of the southest oligotrophic marshes from our country, in its fl ora the Drosera rotundifolia, a glacial relict, is remarkable.

The Poienii Peak from the Ohaba de sub Piatr, botanical protected area of 4th category with a surface of 0,8 ha, situated onthe territory of Ohaba de sub Piatr village, Slau de Sus communa. The rocks of the Poienii hill are hiding a xerofi tic vegetation,

with remarkable fl oristic elements. Is the only certain station for Plantago holosteum and the classical site for Astragallus

onobrycnis var. lineariforicus.

The Slivu Forest botanical reserve, protected area of 4th category, with a surface of 40 ha, situated on the territory of Haegtown. In the grassy layer of the forest Croccus banaticus, Melampyrum bihariense and Lembotropis nigricans species have been

identifi ed. Since 1958, in the zone an European bison reserve has been created.

The Narcissus Hay Fields from Nucoara botanical reserve, protected area of 4th category, with a surface of 20 ha, onthe range of Nucoara village, Slau de Sus communa. Represents an artefact of ancient hydrophilical associations with the

Peudedanum rochelianum endemism. Special landscape aspect due to the populations ofNarcissus stellaris.

The Hay Fields from Pui botanical reserve, protected area of 4th category, with a surface of 5 ha, on the range of Puicommuna. Represents artefacts of fl oristic associations that are specifi c to the glacial period.

In the vegetation of Haeg, at the limit with the Retezat Mountains, protected species can be present, monuments of

nature, such as: Lilium jankae, Draba dornei, Angellica archangelica, Cypripedium calceolus.

Directive 92/43/EEC (Habitats)Annex I - Natural habitat types ofcommunity interest that require

special conservation:3220 Alpine rivers and the herbaceousvegetation along their banks3230 Alpine rivers and their ligneousvegetation with Myricaria germanica

6170 Alpine and subalpine calcareousgrasslands6210 Semi-natural dry grasslandsand scrubland facies on calcareoussubstrates (Festuco-Brometalia) (*important orchid sites)6230 * Species-rich Nardus grasslands,on silicious substrates in mountainareas (and submountain areas inContinental Europe)6410 Molinia meadows on calcareous,peaty or clayey-silt-laden soils(Molinion caeruleae)

6430 Hydrophilous tall herb fringecommunities of plains and of themontane to alpine levels6510 Lowland hay meadows(Alopecurus pratensis, Sanguisorbaoffi cinalis)6520 Mountain hay meadows8210 Calcareous rocky slopes withchasmophytic vegetation8220 Siliceous rocky slopes withchasmophytic vegetation9110 Luzulo-Fagetum beech forests9130 Asperulo-Fagetum beech forests9170 Galio-Carpinetum oak-hornbeam

forests91E0 * Alluvial forests with Alnus

glutinosa and Fraxinus excelsior(Alno-Padion, Alnion incanae, Salicion albae)91M0 Pannonian-Balkanic turkey oaksessile oak forests91V0 Dacian Beech forests (Symphyto-Fagion)9410 Acidophilous Picea forests of themontane to alpine levels (Vaccinio-

Piceetea);Annex II - Animal and plant speciesof community interest that require

special conservation:

MAMMALS

CHIROPTERA: Rhinolophidae

Rhinolophus blasii,Rhinolophus

euryale,Rhinolophus ferrumequinum,

Rhinolophus hipposideros,Rhinolophus

mehelyi; Vespertilionidae: Barbastella

barbastellus, Miniopterus schreibersi,Myotis blythii, Myotis capaccinii, Myotis

dasycneme, Myotis emarginatus, Myotis

myotis. - CARNIVORA: Canidae: *

Canis lupus; Ursidae: * Ursus arctos.

Mustelidae: * Mustela lutreola.

Felidae: Lynx lynx.

REPTILES

CHELONIA (TESTUDINES): Emydidae:

Emys orbicularis.

AMPHIBIANSCAUDATA: Salamandridae: Triturus

cristatus. ANURA: Discoglossidae:

Bombina bombina, Bombina variegata.

FISHES

PETROMYZONIFORMES:

Petromyzonidae: Eudontomyzon spp.

(o). CYPRINIFORMES:

Cyprinidae: Barbus meridionalis (V). SCORPAENIFORMES: Cottidae:

Cottus gobio (o).

INVERTEBRATES - ARTHROPODS

INSECTA:Coleoptera: Cerambyx

cerdo, Lucanus cervus (o).

Lepidoptera: * Callimorpha

(Euplagia, Panaxia) quadripunctaria

(o), Euphydryas (Eurodryas, Hypodryas)

aurinia (o), Leptidea morsei, Lycaena

dispar, Lycaena helle, Maculinea teleius.


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dinosaurs & fossils


The fabulous HaegCountry DwarfDinosaurs are the bestknown dinosaurs of

Europe. They are tellingthe world one of the mostfascinating episodes of theEarths History, the greatextinction of dinosaurs atthe end of Cretaceous, 68Million Years ago. But inthe case of Haeg Country,there is more to be toldabout rocks and fossils.

The history of the HaegCountry is spanningmore than 300 millionyears of history whenthe Earth surface was

completely different thantoday. The rocks and fossilsfound now were formed inplaces and environmentslike coral reefs, volcanicisland in the Tethys Seapopulated by dinosaurs andother reptiles, primitivemammals and birds, orcontinental areas coveredby Ice Age glaciers.

The geopark is guiding

the visitors in geo-trailsto discover the Retezattype granite, metamorphicrocks, bauxite quarries,reef limestone, areas ofvolcanic activity, fossil sites,karst and cave systems.

Dinosaurs

The Haeg area contains one of the

latest assemblages of dinosaurs

in the world. The fossil remains

are internationally unique and are

commonly known as the dwarfdinosaurs of Transylvania.

The list of dinosaur species from

Haeg includes: Magyarosaurus

dacus, a titanosaurid sauropod,

distantly related to the large

herbivorous dinosaurs from the

Late Jurassic and Lower Cretaceous

of the world, two ornithopods

(bird-like feets): Rhabdodon

priscus, an iguanodontid, andTelmatosaurus transsylvanicus

(a duck-billed dinosaur), an

ankylosaur or armored dinosaur-

Struthiosaurus transylvanicus. All

these species were herbivorous,

but the carnivorous dinosaurs

theropods, even poorly represented

were also recognized on the

basees of isolated teeth. They

include at least two groups of small

theropods: the dromaeosaurids

and troodontids.

Other reptile fossils are: turtles

Kallokibotion bajazidi, crocodilians

Allodaposuchus precedens, and

remains of the largest pterosaurs

or fl ying-reptiles in the world

Hatzegopterix tambema with a wing

span of 14m.

Within the proposed Geopark area

other sites of geological interest

have been identifi ed. These include

karst cave systems, areas of volcanic

activity and fossil sites. A wide

range of data has been collected

over numerous years and this will

need to be evaluated.


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Haeg Country Dinosaurs Geoparkdwarf dinosaurs

Though some of the geological

sites will not provide interest to

visitors and tourists they have an

important educational value.

Sites of interest

1. Snpetru fossiliferoussites

Located along Sibiel Valley,

south of Snpetru village, the site

comprises several outcrops of the

Snpetru Formation sediments.

These deposits provided the

largest quantity of dinosaur and

other reptile fossils (crocodiles and

turtles) from the Haeg Basin.

2. Tutea fossiliferous site

Most of the fossil vertebrates

are found either associated with

the paleosol levels or in highly

bioturbated fi ne sediments

accumulated under a thin sheet

of water, in swampy zones of the

fl oodplains. The site from Tutea is

known especially for the nests with

dinosaur eggs. The egg clutches

are included in a red massivemudstone that lack internal

bedding due to pedogenetic

modifi cations, marked by levels

of small carbonate concretions

(calcrete). The red mudstone

represents the sedimentation in a

well-drained fl oodplain, distal to

the river channel; periodically the

mud dried up, generating fossil

soils. The red mudstone bed has

also provided teeth and bones of

other dinosaur taxa: Rhabdodonpriscus and small theropods,

as well as crocodile, turtle and

microvertebrate remains.

3. Crnic geologic site

Along Sibiel valley, near Lolaia

waterfall, a spectacular exposure

of a Retezat granitoide type

occurs. The site is important from

the educational point of view inattempt to explain a few of the

characteristics about the complex

magmatic evolution for the whole

Retezat massif and Haeg area.

4. Ohaba paleontologic site

The site is located not far from

the village of Pui, west Ponor

village. The site is relevant for its

Upper Cretacous marine fauna in

contrast with continental faunafound in other sites and has

educational value. Its location and

the surrounding landscape off er

also a geo-touristic opportunity.

The deposits are mainly siliciclastic

represented by sandstone and

siltstone with a rich gastropod

fauna.

5. Vlioara paleontologic

siteThe site is located near Vlioara

Village. It is an outcrop of massive

red mudstones and paleosols

similar to the Tutea area. The site

is known for its macrovertebrate

remains as well as for the rich

content of microvertebrates:

including fi shes, amphibians,

lizards and micro-mammals. The

microvertebrates were added in the

last decade following the intensivesediment bulk processing by wet

screening

6. tei geologic site

Located near tei village the

outcrops are along Densu valley.

Here the lower member of DensuCiula volcanogenic-sedimentary

formation is well exposed. A

considerable mixing of terrigenous

epiclastic and volcanoclastic

materials provided by andesitic and

ryolitic eruptions that took place

in the westward volcanic centre.

The sediments represent alluvial

fan deposition near or along the

fl anks of volcanoes. Proximal facies

include the coarsest and mostpoorly sorted sediments; these

grade into mid-fan and distal-fan

facies consisting of somewhat fi ner

grained deposits, including cross-

bedded channel conglomerates,

debris fl ows and better sorted

sands and silts of sheet fl ood origin.

7. Silvau de Susfossiliferous site

An outcrop of Neogene

sedimentary rocks near Silvau

Village with conglomerates,

sandstones, volcanic ash and marls

has a rich bivalve fossil association.

8. Boia mine exploitation

A former copper mine that.

It is located near Boia village

(Rchitova). The site has historic

and educational signifi cance. Theexploitation was the largest in

the area and had a considerable

environmental impact: pollution,

and landscape deterioration.


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patrimony & traditions

Historical facts about the Haeg Country

The most important moments in the history of the Haeg Country are:

Some of the fi rst hominid remains in Romania (29.000 yrs ago),

Large number of prehistoric settlements shows permanent living in the re-

gion from Paleolithic to Bronze Age

Celtic presence in the region - the Helm of Haeg (300 B.C.), now in the col-

lections of the Natural History Museum of Vienna,

The bloody battle of Tapae between Romans and Dacians (101ac), followed

by the installation of roman military forces in the western part of the region

Sarmizegetusa Ulpia Traiana founded and named Capitol of the Roman

Province of Dacia (107A.C.),

Local ruler Litovoi perishes in the combats with the Hungarian armies and

his son is captured and then liberated after accepting the rule of Hungary

over his lands (beginning of the XIIIth century)

The fi rst mentioning of Haeg in the documents of the Hungarian Kingship

(1247A.C.),

The region becomes an important center for fur trade (XVIIIth-XIXth cen-

tury),

Front line and scarce battles in the First World War


The communitiesfrom the region arekeepers of importantlocal traditions enrichedwith elements of the

foreign cultures that haveinteracted with the regionthroughout its history.

The Haeg CountryDinosaurs Geoparkaims to promote thelocal values, to ensurethe restoration of themonuments, to identifyand document the localtraditions and to educateand inform the localcommunities on how topreserve the local identity.


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Undertaken activitiesThere is a range of activities covered by the geopark team, from those there

are several of higher importance:

Haeg Country Dinosaurs Geoparkculture & patrimony

MonumentsAmong the monuments of Haeg

Country covering a 2.000 year long

history, the most important are:

Sarmizegetusa Ulpia Traiana, the

capitol of the roman province Dacia Pesteana Church, built in the XIVth

century, partially conserving wall

paint from the XIVth century

Densus Church, controversed date of

construction, most historians date it

at the end of the XIIIth century,

Snpetru Church dated in the

XIVth-XVth with a collection of stones

from the antique roman ruins in the

facade. Sntamarie Orlea Parochial Church,

built at the end of the XIIIth century

having its interior with one of the

most beautiful fescues from South

Transylvania, dated 1311A.C.,

Subcetate Fortress, the most

important medieval fortress of the

Haeg Country,

Mlieti Fortress, one of the oldest

fortresses of the Haeg Country, atype of military construction rarely

preserved in Romania,

Col Fortress, a refuge fortress dating

in XIVth century, built in the northern

highlands of Retezat Mountains, also

considered subject of inspiration of

Jules Vernes novel The Castle of the

Carpathians

Cols Fortress Church, built in the

XIVth century, now belonging to the

Col monastery.

Ethnographic values

The ethnographic values are

represented by rural localities

with households safeguarding the

traditional architecture, crafts and

customs. Characteristic for the region

is the wide celebration of the local

Nedeia, a fest that each village has

once per year.

The most important ethnographic

elements found in the region

are: the costumes, the traditional

music and dancing, the local cuisine,

the vernacular architecture, the

shepherding traditions, local crafts

mostly wood carvings, homespun.

Activity objective Results

Study of vernacular

architecture in Clopotiva,

Sarmizegetusa, Pui, Hateg,

Densus and its relation

with local economy

Identifi cation of diff erent architectural styles,

questionnaires, databases for local architecture,

relations between local incomes fl uctuation and

houses construction

Clopotiva village after 70

years

The analysis, starting from the demographic,

ethnic and economic situation of the Clopotiva

village will compare the reality of now days

with those of the forth decade of the 20th

Century when detailed studies were made by

interdisciplinary teems led by professor Ion

Conea (within the large frame of the heritage

programme initiated by Dimitrie Gusti).

Identifi cation of

traditional houses

in Sarmizegetusa as

potential places for touristactivities

Study Plan and recommendation for a

fi nanced project that links tourism activity in

Sarmisegetusa antic ruins with village tour visit

and recreation points

Future plans

The team will focus on several

directions:

evaluation of the overall situation of

traditions in the rural communities,

preparation of a guidebook

of vernacular architecture and

traditional crafts,

establishment of a information-

keepers network among the elder

people of the Haeg Country.


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economy & social


The Geopark is themodel of good practicefor stimulating rurallivelihood improvement

through the integration ofenvironmental conservationwith sustainable economicdevelopment.

Aplan will be designedto foster socio-economic developmentthat is sustainable and

Overview

The population of the Haeg Country

is concentrated in the most fertile

areas of the region and it is has an

increasingly old people over 60.

The movement of the populationtowards the urban centers in the

region and out of the region has

slowed in recent years however; it

was mostly due to the decreasing

activity of the regional economy.

The overall offi cial unemploymentrate is in the region of 17 20%.Privatization of agricultural land

has resulted in a large number of

new farm businesses, but these

are largely subsistence in natureand contribute little to the local

economy.

special social programs fordisadvantaged groups. Theplan will be proposed bypublic authorities, localcommunities and private

interests acting together.

Objectives are tostimulate small localbusinesses, developmentof label for local HaegCountry products,development of culturaltourism and eco-tourism,set up association (guilds)of local craftsmenand integrate them in

international schemes ofequitable trade, establisha calendar of traditionalevents and festivals.

Additional to farming, food

processing, hydro electric generation,

wood processing and brewing are

undertaken in the area increase the

number of small business enterprises

up to 1000 most part of them in thethird sector. The most important

enterprises are Hidroconstrucia SA

- Rul Mare, Hidroelectrica, Hidroserv,

Haeg Brewery

Tourism activity is considered tobe low. Most tourists are either

day trippers from nearby towns

or people stopping as they pass

through. Most of the existing activity

is based in the buff er zone for the

Retezat National Park, the Romanremains at Sarmizegetusa and

Densus Church.


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Haeg Country Dinosaurs Geoparkeconomy & socialA brief evaluation of the generalinfrastructurereveals that the roadnetwork is above the Romanian

average and also the electric and

telephone system are covering most

part of the area including the remote

small villages. In terms of water

supply the present system it totallyinsuffi cient, more than 10% of the

houses are still using river water. The

issue constitutes the top priority for

local administrations.

Household waste including the

hazardous items such as paints,

cleaners, oils, batteries, and

pesticides are not collected or

mishandled, being dangerous

for health and environment and

a big problem for eco-tourism

development

Hateg Country is very known for

its intercultural pattern. The 2002

census reveled a mosaic of diff erent

ethnic groups such as Romanians,

Hungarians, Italians, Germans,

Roma and diff erent religious groups

(orthodox, protestants, Baptists,

Jehovah witnesses, penticostals etc).

THE GEOPARK AND LOCALDEVELOPMENT

The low rate of industrial pollution,

traditional farming and high

potential for eco-tourism and

especially geo-tourism and

cultural tourism are key ideas for a

sustainable development based on

the wise use of natural and cultural

resources.

The Geopark project is in fact a

strategy and a framework for local

initiatives and could be considered

also a Local Agenda 21. It aims

to off er general framework for

development in this region in an

attempt to revive the local traditions

and to identity a coherent direction

for economic development.

According to this, there are two mainaxis to be followed:

- To promote activities and projects

in order to help local initiatives, to

INVENTORY AD ANALYSISAn analyze recreation and other

tourist opportunities for the Geopark

area considering carrying capacities

and infrastructure, inventory and

analysis of the current rural and

assure the increase of local incomes,

to create structures able to attract

investments.

- To revive and strengthen the local

and cultural identity which is very

strong and in danger of being lost

through migration, poverty, externalinfl uences and imports.

social activities and of local needs

was initiated. Also were defi ned

sustainable sources of revenue (with

levels of public intervention for social

and environmental functions).

Opportunities for the development

of new small businesses andenterprises within the GeoPark

framework were identifi ed along

with local training requirements

and possible sources of funding

for business development to be

implemented.


14/15


Education & public awareness

Education

Formal education structures

comprise about 4250 students,

890 teaching personnel

distributed in one high school

(Ovid Densusianu in Hateg) and67 general schools, most of them

located in remote villages. In Sacel

and Paclisa are special schools for

120 children with dessabilities.

The technical infrastructure is lowdevelopped, and except few

schools there are no internet

connections or computers used

for education purposses. The

level of cooperation among

schools and the involvement ineducational projects is below

average, only four international

cooperation projects being

implemented in the region.


Based on local needsanalysis the strategyobjective is to shaperesponsible citizensthat are aware of theirlocal patrimony and areable to fi nd creativesolutions for sustainabledevelopment.

Raising awarenessstrategy has focusedon keeping localcommunity informedabout the project and

establishing a networkfor dissemination.

One activity of top priority that

has preceded the creation of

the Geopark was the set up

ofThe Educational Strategy forSustainable Development in the

Geopark, in partnership with localschools, County Inspectorate,University of Bucharest, and local

administration.

The strategy targets are:

To create a local educational

network having the university as

focal points;

To develop training packages

and courses for local teaching

staff and students; To organize local, national and

international events for public

awareness for natural and cultural


15/15

Haeg Country Dinosaurs Geoparkeducation & awarenessPublic awareness for the

Geopark meansObjectives:

to provide transparency and

precise information about the

Geopark for the local comunity;

to promote the Geopark at

national and international level.

Activities

Public conferences in 2002 and

2003

National Tv series of 16 episodes

dedicated to the Hateg land and

legends

Local and national exhibitions:

- Countries of Romania, The HaegCountry

- The Butterfl ies of the Haeg

Country

- Junior dinosaurs, children works

on the lost world of Haeg

heritage of the area and to

promote local initiatives;

To develop new directions of

research and education within the

university.

Education

The educational network wascreated in 2003 and comprise

20 schools, two universities and

the Berthelot Educational Centre.

The network represents a good

support to provide teaching

materials and training courses,

to develop and sustain new

teaching and learning strategies

adapted to local needs, and to

introduce and develop virtual

school experiment

Activities developed

Inventory of existing facilities in all

local schools and needs analysis

Workshops with Principals

and teachers in Biology and

Geography

Equipment purchase (100 PCs)

based on a donation from France

Implementation of a PHAREproject European acquis in the

fi eld of nature conservation in

partnership with schools from

Hateg area, Bucharest, Rucar

Implementation of MATRA KAP

project Teachers for Geopark

Organize Berthelot Centre as a

focal point for the local network

Innovative packages

According to previous need analysis a training package called The

School and local communityfor teaching staff was designed in

order to support the Geopark implementation, to create a stronger

connection among local administrations and schools, to set up a local

team for future projects, and to design new teaching materials. Five

training packages have been designed and implemented:

The Geopark concept, economic and social impact in the area, the role of schools

How to write and manage an educational project;

Educational methods, tools and training packages for environmental education;

Communication in education and nature conservation;

Community building.

To increase the role of school in teaching how to use the local natural

and cultural heritage an educational package that comprises three

courses and related teaching materials was developed.

Course no 1 - Discovering the backyard nature already implemented in the sixth grade

in local schools. It contains Teacher Guide, Student Notebook, a CD , Field applications

materials;

Course no 2 - Local traditions (seventh grade) dedicated to local costumes, legends,

crafts, folk art. It will contain also a Teacher Guide, Student Notebook, a CD (designed to

be used in the schools computer network);Course no 3 - Local development (eighth grade) aiming to develop

entrepreneurial skills based on local opportunities and needs (small local business

basics), administration knowledge, community building.

hateg geopark dinosaurs romania

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