The aim of this project is to
facilitate the preservation of biological diversity in the Baltic Sea
Region by establishing the Baltic Green Belt as a permanent network of
co-operation.
In geographic terms, the Baltic Green Belt runs along the boundary of the Iron Curtain that was set up by the Soviet Union. For this reason the environment here remains largely untouched and unique.
The Latvian Rural Tourism Association is one of
the partners, and its task in this project is to organise a pilot
project in co-operation with the Slitere National Park.
Latvian Green Belt Approach and goals:
Within the Baltic Green Belt project, specific
tourism products based on military heritage are developed. In Slitere National Park, a former military
rail track will be developed into a biking trail. Bridges will be built
along the track to cross streams running through the park. Additionally,
historical information will be provided to the visitor in the form of
booklets and information stands in the field. This historical railway
bicycle path and other military objects at the Latvian coast will be
compiled in an online data base of touristic objects, and touristic
products such as maps and route descriptions will be compiled.
Furthermore, precautions will be taken to reduce the ecological
footprint of visitors in the area. One step towards this is the
establishment of a webcam which will enable visitors to learn about rare
species and witness their behavior in nature from a distance. Thus,
the species will be protected, while awareness among visitors for those
species existence, beauty and importance in the ecosystem can be
increased. In this manner, the natural and cultural heritage of the area
will be made available to a broader audience without putting too much
pressure on the environment.
Latvian Rural Tourism Association has published coastal guidebook “Guide to the Coast of the Baltic
Sea” in February 2012. It contains descriptions of 55 attraction sites,
28 touring routes, 55 guest accommodations as well as information
about Europe and the Baltic Green Belt.
Since the majority of the 19th and 20th century
military heritage in the eastern BSR has been abandoned or even
destroyed over the past decades, Rural Tourism Association developed guidelines
which shall assure for the safe use and maintenance of military objects
in tourism. This shall facilitate economical income and sustainable
development to rural areas. Based on successful Middle-European
practice, these guidelines show how to promote a usage by tourism and
to draw public attention to the future protection of the military
heritage, also keeping in mind environmental concerns.
- Title Original : Baltijas Zala Josta. Latvijas pilotprojekts.
- Website : http://www.balticgreenbelt.uni-kiel.de
- Project start : 2009
- Project end : 2012
- Contact Person : Pilot project in Latvia Rural Tourism Association: asnate@celotajs.lv
- Funding Agency : Partly financed by the European Union (ERDF) within the Baltic Sea Region Programme
- Project Partners : Lead partner Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel
- Project structure : The project includes NGOs, government institutions, representatives of business and scientific institutions , 15 partners and seven associate partners in all, all of them representing countries which surround the Baltic Sea.
- Location : Latvia, Riga, lat : 56.944974180851600000 - lng : 24.104003906250000000 address : Stone Bridge, Riga, LV-1050, Latvia; Latvia, Riga, lat : 56.936176300000000000 - lng : 24.040804600000000000 address : Kalnciema iela, Riga, Latvia
