NATIONAL KARST ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION CONFERENCE, SEPTEMBER 21-24, 2023

During 21-24.09.2023, we participated in the Karst Environment Protection Conference, organized by the Exploratorii Speleological Association in Reșița, Caras-Severin County as part of the Rural Karst project, a speleological education and conservation project of the karst environment at the national level.

During the conference, 40 presentations, exhibitions and discussions were held within seven sessions, with the following topics relevant to the management of the karst environment:

Session I. Institutional and non-governmental involvement.

Session II. Innovation and technology in karst investigation.

Session III. Vulnerability of the karst environment.

Session IV. Disadvantaged rural environment.

Session V. Field application – Karst in the Anina & Miniș Gorges area.

Session VI. Celebration of the Exploratorii organization 60+ years.

Session VII. Conservation actions; conclusions.

Friday, 22.09.2023, during Session I. Institutional and non-governmental involvement, Ms. Alina Călușeru, director, Timiș Environmental Protection Agency presented the Role of the APM in regulating activities and implementing conservation projects

Saturday, 23.09.2023, during the Vth Session, Field Application – Karst in the Anina – Miniș Gorges area, Mr. Bogdan Bădescu as technical manager presented the restoration and decontamination actions carried out within the project in Ponor Uscată 1 Cave and Ponor Uscată 2 Cave,

Sunday, 24.09.2023, during the VIIth Session, Conservation actions, were presented: Results of the Habitat Conservation Project 8310 from Site N2000 Cheile Nerai – Beușnița, Results of the restoration and decontamination of caves in SCICNB by Ms. Narcisa Crista, monitoring specialist and the National Action Plan for Habitat Conservation 8310 by Mr. Bogdan Bădescu, technical manager of the project.

During the congress, informative materials regarding the action plan for the conservation of habitat 8310 and informative materials produced within the LIFE 13 NAT/RO/001488 project were exhibited.

The conference was attended by 65 specialists from 29 institutions and organizations: researchers (Emil Racoviță Institute of Speleology, Academy of Medical Sciences), professors (University of Bucharest, West University of Timișoara, Decebal Caransebeș Technological High School, Sabin Păuța High School of Arts Reșița, Technical College Reșița, “Traian Lalescu” National College Reșița), civil servants from decentralized institutions (Agency for Environmental Protection Timișoara, GNM, County Directorate for Culture Caraș-Severin, National Agency for Protected Natural Areas), representatives of local public administration (Reșița City Hall), companies and state regis (Apele Române, Administration of Semenic – Caraș Gorges National Park, Administration of Cheile Nerei – Beușnița National Park), commercial companies (Scanbox Bucharest, Graphein Topo Bucharest, Wilderness Wilderness Research and Consultancy Bucharest), museographers (Banat Museum), journalists (Știri din Banat, Jurnal de Caraș, Ragnarok), members of the NGO sector (Association for Sustainable Development DAKIA, Prusik Timișoara, Romanian Association for Speleological Education, Euroland Banat Association, WWF Romania, Speleological Association Exploratorii) and students from rural areas.