Crows Have Natural Tool-Making Ability

They bred four crows in captivity and found all the birds were able to make tools from twigs without being taught.

"We show that hand-raised juvenile New Caledonian crows spontaneously manufacture and use tools, without any contact with adults of their species or any prior demonstration by humans," said Alex Kacelnick, of O?ford University in England.

The crows — three males and one female — were raised in artificial nests and then transferred to aviaries that contained a variety of twigs and food hidden in crevices.

Two of the birds were shown by their human foster parents how to pry food out of tiny spaces with the twigs but the other birds were not.

"All four crows developed the ability to use twig tools," Kacelnick and his colleagues said in a report in the science journal Nature.

The tutored birds watched the tool demonstrations but the scientists found no difference in their skills and those of the other two birds.

"In light of our findings, it is possible that the high level of skill observed in wild adult crows is not socially acquired," said Kacelnick.

He and his team believe the crows could be a good example to study the interaction between inherited traits and social learning during the development of tool technology.

Euro 5: Limite de poluare mai stricte. in curand si pentru monstrii 4×4

Conform proiectului Comisiei emisiile de gaze de la masinile cu motoare pe motorina vor fi reduse cu 80%, iar oxizii de nitrogen cu 20 %. Standardele mai aspre propuse de comisie vor duce la introducerea filtrelor speciale pentru masinile pe motorina. Pentru masinile pe benzina, Comisia propune reducerea emisiilor de oxizi de nitrogen si hidrocarburi cu 25%. Restrictiile noului Euro5 pot intra in vigoare cel mai devreme pana la jumatatea lui 2008. Forma finala a proiectului poate fi modificata astfel incat sa reflecte feedback-ul primit in timpul consultarilor. Consultarile sunt deschise pana pe 9 septembrie.

Vice-presedintele Comisiei Gunter Verheugen a spus: "ideile noastre sunt ambitioase dar realiste. Noile limite ale emisiilor vor deschide drumul catre masini mai putin poluante. Aceast lucru este bun pentru sanatatea cetatenilor nostrii si a mediului. Industria va avea o perspectiva clara si timpul necesar pentru a produce automobile de inalta calitate, mai putin poluante fara sa-si pericliteze concurenta pe piata. Acesta este singurul mod pentru a avea succes pe viitor."

Aproape 100 tone de cadavre ale animalelor ucise de viituri au fost deja incinerate

Pana in prezent, in judetul Bacau au fost incinerate la Protan Roman si Codlea noua tone de cadavre, fiind declarate moarte 12.080 pasari, 64 porci, 320 oi, 10 vaci, 100 familii de albine si 70 cai. Cele 18.967 pasari, 122 porci, doi cai, trei vaci, doua capre, 68 iepuri, 47 struti si noua caini ucisi de viiturile din Galati au fost incinerate la Protan Ploiesti sau ingropate in zone special desemnate, 81 de puturi seci fiind autorizate in acest sens. Cadavrele celor 29.950 pasari, 445 vaci, 561 porci, 1.502 oi, 44 cai si 124 caini moarte in localitatile din Vrancea s-au transformat in scrum, incineratorul Protan din Popesti Leordeni arzand pana in prezent 70 tone de cadavre. Si animalele moarte in Teleorman (15.447 pasari, 142 oi, 29 capre, 35 porci, un cal si 31 iepuri) au fost incinerate si ingropate, pana acum fiind arse 1,75 tone de cadavre. Aceasta metoda de ecarisare prin incinerare si ingropare in puturi seci mai este folosita si in judetele: Arges, Constanta, Dolj, Suceava, Gorj, Olt, Mehedinti, Harghita, Cluj, Valcea, Tulcea, Neamt, Buzau, Dambovita, Ialomita si Prahova.
150.000 pasari, 1.237 porci, 2.429 oi, 47 struti, 144 iepuri, doi magari, 133 caini – luati de ape
Potrivit datelor ANSVSA, printre judetele cu cele mai multe animale moarte se numara Olt (47.705 pasari, 309 porci, 296 oi si capre, doi magari, patru vaci, 15 iepuri, patru cai si 139 familii de albine), Constanta (3.178 pasari, 80 oi, 34 porci si 100 familii de albine) si Dolj (8.555 pasari, 30 porci, 3 vaci, 10 familii de albine si trei oi). In total, in cele 21 de judete lovite de viituri in perioada 1-18 iulie au murit 142.867 pasari, 1.237 porci, 2.429 oi si capre, cinci miei, 23 vaci, 133 cai, 144 iepuri, doi magari, 47 struti, 349 familii de albine si 133 caini. In Hunedoara au disparul 620 pasari, 23 iepuri, doi porci si o vaca, iar in Tulcea s-au imbolnavit 200 pasari si 15 porci. Pentru a face fata situatiei si pentru a continua activitatea de ecarisare si supraveghere clinica a starii de sanatate a animalelor, ANSVSA a suplimentat personalul medical veterinar din zonele calamitate. Medicii veterinari au demarat actiunile de vaccinare impotriva antraxului la bovine, ovine, caprine si cabaline in judetele mai putin afectate, iar in zonele cu foarte multe animale moarte au trecut la revaccinarea tuturor animalelor.

Green campaigners target 4×4 drivers

The protesters took to the streets at the weekend to paste mock tickets on the windscreens of the `Chelsea Tractors’ parked in the heart of the shopping area.
Campaigners from the Alliance Against Urban 4x4s slapped the bogus tickets on gas-guzzling Jeeps, Range Rovers and even an American Humvee which declared "Poor Vehicle Choice" and "Axles of Evil".

They looked like parking fines with a yellow and black design but on closer inspection turned out to be leaflets issued as part of a nationwide campaign to drive huge four-wheel-drive cars back to the countryside.

The first to get a ticket was a Jeep Cherokee parked outside the Central Library. Hundreds more followed, each with a ticket that declared: "Dirty and dangerous car (as you should know)."

The spoof ticket claimed only five per cent of 4x4s are ever taken off road, off-roaders only give you 12 miles per gallon and sends twice as much carbon-monoxide into the atmosphere.

Rockfalls
It also claimed 4x4s often handle poorly because they are badly-designed and are twice as likely to kill other road users or pedestrians than smaller motors.
On the back , the ticket suggests 4×4 owners had been conned: "Be honest with yourself. You got a bit over-excited when you saw the advert where the shiny 4×4 dodges Himalayan rockfalls while chasing lions in the Serengeti. But how do you feel now? In reality, urban 4x4s handle very poorly, are far less economical to run than ordinary family cars and are far more dangerous – to the other road users, to the people inside and to the health of everyone around them."

Mark Griffiths, who was ticketed after he parked his 4.4 litre Range Rover in the city centre with his partner and child, said: "If you have a family you need a vehicle this size to cart all the clobber around because you can’t get it in a small vehicles. 4x4s are a very suitable way to be going about your daily activities."

Campaign spokesman Dave Coleman, a 41-year-old business consultant from Lymm, who drives a BMW diesel, said: "Too many people are driving what are basically pieces of modified agricultural machinery through our crowded streets because they think they are a fashion accessory.

"Most 4×4 drivers don’t want to be selfish but don’t realise the impact these vehicles have or how widely they are resented and ridiculed."
What do you think of 4x4s? Have your say

Vine sfarsitul lumii?

In Europa, in partea de vest a continentului s-au inregistrat cele mai grave secete din ultimii 60 de ani, in timp ce in partea centrala si estica ploile si inundatiile au produs pagube catastrofale..
[b]Franta[/b] 51 din cele 96 de departamente regionale se confrunta cu situatii de criza din cauza secetei. in vestul tarii nivelul apelor a ajuns la cel mai scazut nivel din 1976, in timp ce in sud invazia lacustelor a afectat grav recoltele. Presedintele Jaques Chirac a facut apel la francezi sa "limiteze consumul abuziv de apa".
[b]Spania[/b] Aceasta tara se confrunta cu cea mai puternica seceta din 1940, focare de incendiu fiind localizate, la sfarsitul saptamanii trecute, in cea mai mare parte a Spaniei. Iarna si primavara anului 2005 au fost cele mai secetoase din ultimii 60 de ani, cantitatile de apa din rezervoare sca- zand cu circa 80%. Nivelul raurilor de pe tot cuprinsul tarii e la o treime din cel normal. Recolta din centrul si sudul tarii a fost compromisa in proportie de peste 50%.
[b]Germania[/b] E afectata de inundatii grave dupa ce poli abundente au cazut timp de mai multe zile.
[b]Bulgaria[/b] Cel putin cinci persoane au murit in urma inundatiilor catastrofale inregistrate in mai multe regiuni ale tarii.
[b]Italia[/b] Protectia Civila din Italia a anuntat ca 50 de incendii au izbucnit incepand de la sfarsitul saptamanii trecute, din care 17 s-au declansat luni. Potrivit aceleiasi surse, cele mai afectate au fost regiunile din centrul si sudul peninsulei. sase incendii s-au declansat in Calabria, in sudul Italiei, iar alte patru in regiunea Romei. Seceta si temperaturile foarte ridicate au favorizat izbucnirea incendiilor in numeroase regiuni, Sardinia fiind afectata in mod special. Nordul peninsulei a fost decretat, marti, zona de risc, numeroase echipe ale Protectiei Civile, padurari si pompieri fiind mobilizate in aceasta zona. Opt elicoptere au fost nevoite sa intervina in Sardinia pentru a tine sub control focarele de in- cendiu.
[b]Elvetia[/b] O furtuna foarte puternica s-a abatut, luni dupa-amiaza, asupra zonelor adiacente lacului Leman din Elvetia, un trecator fiind ranit de un arbore doborat la pamant, a comunicat politia locala. Cel putin 170 de persoane au fost sinistrate in cantonul Vaud, aflat pe malul nordic al lacului, in special din cauza caderii copacilor si vitei de vie din zona. Celebrele podgorii de pe malul lacului, dintre Lausanne si Montreux, au fost devastate de grindina. Frunzele si ciorchinii de struguri au fost smulsi de pe araci, compromitand renumita recolta de vin alb a Elvetiei. in toata regiunea afectata vehiculele au fost avariate, mai multe geamuri si vitrine s-au spart, iar copacii si stalpii de telegraf s-au prabusit pe sosea, determinand inchiderea drumurilor si a unei linii de cale ferata.
[b]Portugalia[/b] La Algarve, o regiune meridionala din Portugalia preferata de turisti, furnizarea apei ar putea fi oprita in anumite intervale orare, in cazul in care autoritatile nu vor diminua consumul, au afirmat responsabili locali. Furnizarea apei ar putea fi oprita in cursul serii, incepand din urmatoarele zile, chiar in momentul in care turistii se spala si se pregatesc sa cineze, a avertizat Artur Ribeiro, director al companiei locale Aguas do Algarve. "in cazul in care nu va fi rationalizata, furnizarea apei ar putea fi oprita in orice moment", a declarat acesta agentiei de presa Lusa. Ribeiro le-a cerut locuitorilor sa nu-si spele masinile si a facut apel la autoritati sa nu mai ude gradinile publice. Portugalia se confrunta cu cea mai puternica seceta din 1940. 97 la suta din teritoriul tarii se confrunta cu seceta severa sau extrema, potrivit Institutului Apei.
[b]Canada[/b] Quebecul se confrunta, la randul sau, cu cele mai grave incendii de padure din anul 1941, a anuntat Societatea provinciala de Protectie a Padu- rilor impotriva Focului (SOPFEU), precizand ca 900 de pompieri au fost mobilizati, luni, in lupta cu cele 125 de focare de incendiu din provincia Quebec. De la inceputul verii, 755 de incendii au distrus aproape 400.000 de hectare de padure din Quebec. sase dintre aceste incendii au scapat de sub control, unul acoperind o suprafata de 4.000 de hectare, fiind localizat la 15 kilometri sud de Liebel-sur-Quevillon, mica localitate din partea central-nordica a provinciei. O ploaie abundenta a cazut, luni, asupra acestei regiuni, dupa mai multe saptamani de seceta si temperaturi foarte ridicate, astfel incat pentru moment evacuarea locuitorilor din aceasta zona a fost amanata. "Este o adevarata binecuvantare. Multi oameni vor fi fericiti", a declarat Lacasse. Societatea provinciala de electricitate, Hydro-Quebec, a evacuat, duminica, 2.000 dintre angajatii sai care lucrau pe un santier hidroelectric din golful James, situat in nord-vestul provinciei, de teama ca principala cale de acces catre restul provinciei ar putea fi afectata de incendiu. Depasiti de situatie, responsabilii din Quebec au cerut ajutor celorlalte provincii canadiene si mai multor state americane situate in vecinatate. Marile societati forestiere au fost obligate, in urma cu opt zile, sa suspende activitatea de taiere a arborilor, trimitand astfel, sute de oameni in somaj tehnic.
[b]Kuweit[/b] Directorul serviciului meteorologic din Kuweit a anuntat, luni, ca au fost inregistrate temperaturi de peste 50 de grade Celsius la umbra, valori termice care se apropie de recordul stabilit in 2000. "Temperatura inregistrata duminica, la umbra, a fost de 50,6 grade Celsius", acesta fiind cel mai ridicat nivel din acest an, a declarat Khaled al-Shuaibi intr-un interviu acordat AFP, reamintind ca la 16 iulie 2000 termometrele au inregistrat 50,8 grade Celsius la umbra, acesta fiind recordul de caldura din emiratul arab din Golf.

[b]Nivelul oceanelor ar putea creste cu 7 metri[/b]

Consecintele demografice ale incalzirii globale ar putea conduce, in secolul al XXI-lea, la "sfarsitul lumii pe care o stim", prezice profesorul Tim Dyson, care participa la Congresul International privind Populatia, de la Tours, Franta. Cu o incalzire globala de 1,6 pana la 6,6 grade Celsius pana in 2100, "schimbari nefavorabile s-ar putea manifesta pe mai multe fronturi, cu efecte negative cumulative", continua specialistul britanic. "De exemplu, inundarea zonelor de coasta, care ar putea fi in parte rezultatul cresterii nivelului marii si al caderilor de precipitatii mai mari, ar putea conduce la pierderea unei mari parti din terenurile cultivabile si infrastructurile urbane, antrenand o crestere a pretului hranei, migrarea la scara mare si probabil tulburari socio-politice. Oamenii nu isi vor schimba atitudinea decat atunci cand vor simti ei insisi fenomene meteorologice nefaste", crede Dyson. "Calota de gheata a Groenlandei, care contine suficienta apa pentru a ridica nivelul oceanelor cu circa 7 m, a inceput sa se topeasca si s-ar putea prabusi foarte rapid din cauza cresterii cantitatii de apa dulce de la baza calotei. Aerul se incalzeste deasupra oceanului, fenomenul de evaporare se intensifica si astfel apa rece salina coboara spre adancuri. Apa sarata si rece de sub gheata e atat de densa incat se scufunda, aceasta ar putea fi o explicatie", e de parere si Dumitru Balta, meteorolog in cadrul Agentiei Nationale de Meteorologie.

Articol de: Calin Stroila

Pestera ?Emil Racovita? – redescoperirea unei bijuterii

? Galeriile subterane trecute pe harta ocupa circa 70 km. Cele mai mari goluri cu o inaltime de 11 m, latime de 30-40 m si lungime de 60-100 m sunt: Sala celor 100 de metri, Sala Asteptarii, Catedrala, Sala Pinguinului, Sala Hipopotamului, Sala Jurnalistilor, Sala Moldova-Criva, Cimitirul Dinozaurilor. Lacurile cele mai spectaculoase poarta denumirea de: Lacul Dacilor, Lacul Verde, Lacul Albastru, Lacul Transparent, Lacul imparatului.De la 16 iulie 2005 a aparut pe harta si Lacul revistei ?Natura? si Galeria Miscarii Ecologiste din Moldova.

in arealul Pesterii ?Emil Racovita? functioneaza o mare cariera de extragere a gipsului prin explozii. An de an, cariera se apropie tot mai mult de sat, deteriorand peisajul si acoperind cu praf campurile agricole si locuintele oamenilor. Cariera are un impact deosebit nu doar asupra locuitorilor, ci si a uneia dintre cele mai importante relicve naturale din lume ? vestita si unica in felul sau pestera ?Emil Racovita?.
Pe parcursul anilor 1990-2003, la insistenta Miscarii Ecologiste din Moldova si a redactiei revistei ?Natura?, problema pesterii ?Emil Racovita? a fost abordata si mediatizata, dar Autoritatile nu au intervenit. La 1 mai 2004 Miscarea Ecologista din Moldova, revista ?Natura?, Asociatia Jurnalistilor de Mediu si Turism Ecologic din Moldova (AJMTEM), ONG ?Padurea Domneasca?, ?INQUA-Moldova?, Asociatia de avocatura ecologica ?Eco-Lex?, ?Lupii? s. a au vizitat pentru documentare cariera de la Criva unde au gasit un adevarat dezastru: 15 grote care se aflau in perimetrul carierei erau treptat distruse prin explozii, iar intrarea in pestera intr-un mod enigmatic a fost inundata, mare fiind probabilitatea ca si galeriile de circa 70 km sa fi fost umplute cu apa. Astfel, aparuse presupunerea ca o bijuterie a naturii moldave si europene ar fi disparut in milioanele de metri cubi de apa, fapt care evident rasturna intreaga situatie existenta pana la inundatie.

Din mai 2004, lupta pentru salvarea pesterii ?Emil Racovita? a devenit un scop al ecologistilor de la Miscarea Ecologista din Moldova, de la revista ?Natura?, a altor organizatii de mediu. Astfel s-a reusit ca in iunie 2004 seful statului sa ajunga la Criva, pentru a promite sustinere in salvgardarea monumentului naturii. Timp de un an s-a continuat pledoaria pentru cauza pesterii ?Emil Racovita?.
Recent, firma ?Criva-Knauf? a finisat lucrarile prin care a scos apa si namolul ajuns, nu se stie cum, la intrarea in pestera.

La 16 iulie 2005 s-a mai inscris o fila in istoria pesterii. Un grup de ecologisti si speologi de la Miscarea Ecologista din Moldova, Revista ?Natura?, Institutul de Geodezie si Geologie a AŞM, AJMTEM, ONG-urile ?Padurea Domneasca?, ?Lupii?, ?SalvaEco?, sustinuti de REC-Moldova pentru deplasarea la fata locului, au patruns in pestera, dupa o perioada de peste 7 ani de inchidere abuziva. Din pacate, inca peste 30 de metri, care fac legatura intre fantana de intrare si galeriile pesterii, sunt innamolite si fac practic imposibil accesul in cavernele subterane. Intrarea in pestera este avariata si e nevoie de o interventie urgenta. Este mare riscul ca blocurile de gips, sub presiunea exploziilor, sa se naruiasca si sa blocheze intrarea pentru totdeauna.

Pestera ?Emil Racovita?, monument al naturii de importanta europeana si mondiala, necesita ajutorul statului R. Moldova, a organizatiilor internationale, a specialistilor speologi pe peste hotare si din R. Moldova. Grupul de ecologisti, care au patruns la 16 iulie in pestera, propune urmatoarele actiuni necesare a fi efectuate pentru protejarea pesterii ?Emil Racovita?:

1. Guvernul R. Moldova si Academia de Ştiinte a RM sa creeze un grup de lucru, cu atragerea expertilor straini si ONG-urilor, care sa elaboreze un program complex de cercetare, valorificare si promovare a pesterii ?Emil Racovita?;
2. De invitat specialisti in domeniu din cadrul Institutului de Speologie din Bucuresti, a Asociatiilor de Speologie din Ţarile Europene, a Federatiei Franceze de Speologie, care au vizitat pestera in anul 1992, in scopuri de cercetare, valorificare si protejare a pesterii ?Emil Racovita?;
3. De a se aloca mijloace financiare pentru amenajarea si valorificarea pesterii ?Emil Racovita?;
4. Intrarea actuala este avariata si nu poate fi utilizata pentru vizite. Este necesar de a gasi posibilitati de a amenaja modern intrarea in Pestera ?Emil Racovita?;
5. in scopul protejarii Pesterii ?Emil Racovita? si a securitatii persoanelor ce vor intra in subterana, este necesar de un control strict asupra accesului in pestera, care sa fie efectuat de organele abilitate.

Este important de sesizat ca pestera ?Emil Racovita?, aflandu-se in componenta retelei ecologice Pan-Europene si fiind inclusa in circuitul turistic european, poate servi un prim pas pentru integrarea noastra in comunitatea europeana.

Officials: Obstacle for Welfare in Russia is? Reserves

No integrated federal body of control over the system of SPNA, as well as a continual series of reforms of state environmental bodies during recent years resulted in the situation when reserves’ development in Russia has sunk in the swamp of bureaucracy and official red tape. Actually, nature reserves and parks, which are the national patrimony of Russia, are left by the government to the mercy of fate.

As a result cases of illegal withdrawal of territories out of SPNAs for aims of economic use became more frequent in recent years. Local authorities, managers and criminal groups often put pressure upon the directors and employees of reserves and national parks.

"In Russia there are 135 state nature reserves and national parks, -says the corresponding member of the RAS Danilov-Danilian, who has been managing the wh?le state environmental system of Russia for many years. – In recent years 13 of them (10 % of the total number) experienced the attempts of illegal withdrawal of their territories and their transfer for economic use. Unfortunately, the state bodies in charge of SPNA are not able and often don’t want to take measures to protect the territories, as well as people who work there".

As a result non-governmental environmental organizations and individuals have to fight to protect state environmental interests.

"During last year non-governmental environmental organization have many times had to address to the prosecutor’s offices and courts with a demand to reverse resolutions of various authorities (including the RF government) about illegal withdrawal of lands of SPNA, – comments Greenpeace Russia forest campaign expert Mikhail Kreindlin. – Most suits brought by ecologists were sustained. Almost in all cases the Ministry of Natural Resources, in whose jurisdiction most reserves and all national parks are, was either neutral, or, as in case of Sochi national park, openly supported illegal actions of the RF government".

Despite the fact that the MNR is officially responsible for the development of reserves in the country, pseudo-economic arguments of its officials about the impossibility to create new reserves in Russia, as well as the atmosphere of bureaucracy and irresponsibility in the ministry became the obstacle for further increase in number of SPNAs.

"Since 2000 in Russia no new reserve or national park has been created, – says Vsevolod Stepanitsky, honourable ecologist of the RF. – It’s the longest break in the process of SPNA system development for 50 years, which demonstrates the attitude of the government to these issues".

Complete inefficiency of the current model of SPNA management in Russia forced the leaders of non-governmental environmental organizations to address the RF President in December 2004 with a proposal to create a special Federal Agency for Specially Protected Natural Territories authorized to carry out state control in the field and working under immediate direction of the RF government.

Additional information

Development of the network of specially protected natural areas (SPNA) that were fully or partly withdrawn from the economic use is one of the most important forms of biodiversity conservation. This is provided for by the UN Convention on Biodiversity, ratified by Russia. The system of Russian SNPAs is one of the most developed and world-wide recognized. Many reserves and national parks of Russia are under protection of international conventions and agreements and they are of international importance.

At present in our country there are 100 state nature reserves with the total area of 33.5 million hectares (more then 1.57% of the total territory of Russia) and 35 national parks with the area of 7 million hectares (0.41% of the Russian territory). 95 reserves and all national parks are under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Natural Resources of the Russian Federation.

ECOTOPIA BIKE TOUR 2005 TRAVERSEAZA ROMANIA

Ecotopa Bike Tour 2005 a inceput in 20 iunie in Banja Luka (Bosnia-Hertegovina) si se va finaliza in 8 august la Saharna (Republica Moldova). Este a treia oara cand traseul turei trece prin ROmania si prima oara cand se traverseaza intreaga tara, de la Oravita pana la Iasi (itinerarul fiind detaliat in ANEXA). Coloana de biciclisti va opri in multe orase si va face si zile de pauza, dorind sa se intalneasca cu autoritati locale, ONG-uri ecologiste, presa si oameni preocupati de mediul inconjurator si spera sa beneficieze de ospitalitate si deschidere fata de mesajul promovat.

Participantii se deplaseaza exclusiv pe biciclete, ducand timp de 7 septamani pe mii de kilometri cu ei tot ce au nevoie, fara masini de insotire, demonstrand in acest fel ca mobilitatea nu implica neaparat utilizarea autovehiculelor sau altor forme poluante de transport. In plus, de pe bicicleta poti avea un contact mai strans cu natura, oamenii, istoria si cultura zonelor strabatute.

La destinatie, participantii se vor alatura altor sute de tineri din intreaga Europa ce se vor reuni anul acesta pe malul Nistrului pentru a 15-a editie a taberei ecologiste internationale Ecotopia. In trecut, taberele Ecotopia s-au tinut alternativ in Est si Vest, doua editii avand loc in Romania (in 1994 in judetul Neamt la Ardeluta si in 1999 in Banat la Bogda).

Clubul de Cicloturism Napoca colaboreaza la organizarea turei pe teritoriul Romaniei, stabilind traseul si etapele, furnizand informatii si facilitand contactul participantilor cu alte structuri.

Toti cei interesati sunt invitati sa sa alature, macar pentru o zi-doua, acestei actiuni, fiind oricand bineveniti sa pedaleze impreuna cu cei ce parcurg intreaga tura. Au nevoie doar de bicicleta si echipament de campare, vointa si voie buna…

ANEXA:
Detalii privind programul turei in Romania
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ECOTOPIA BIKE TOUR 2005

TRASEU IN ROMANIA

1. 10 iulie frontiera- – Naidas
2. 11 iulie Naidas – Oravita – Anina
3. 12 iulie Anina – Carasova – Resita
4. 13 iulie Resita – Brebu – Caransebes
5. 14 iulie Caransebes – Hateg
6. 15 iulie Hateg – Calan – Hunedoara – Deva
7. 16 iulie Deva (zi de pauza)
8. 17 iulie Deva – Simeria – Orastie – Alba Iulia
9. 18 iulie Alba Iulia – Sebes – Sibiu
10. 19 iulie Sibiu (zi de pauza)
11. 20 iulie Sibiu – Agnita
12. 21 iulie Agnita – Sighisoara
13. 22 iulie Sighisoara (zi de pauza)
14. 23 iulie Sighisoara – Cristuru Secuiesc – Odorheiul Secuiesc
15. 24 iulie Odorheiul Secuiesc – Vlahita – Miercurea Ciuc
16. 25 iulie Miercurea Ciuc – Gheorgheni
17. 26 iulie Gheorgheni – Lacu Rosu
18. 27 iulie Lacul Rosu (zi de pauza)
19. 28 iulie Lacu Rosu – Bicaz
20. 29 iulie Bicaz – Piatra Neamt
21. 30 iulie Piatra Neamt – Roman
22. 31 iulie Roman – Targu Frumos
23. 01 august Targu Frumos – Iasi
24. 02 august Iasi (zi de pauza)
25. 03 august Iasi – Ungheni (frontiera)
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120 de obiecte sistate de ecologisti pentur incalcarile legislatiei pe perioada anului 2004

Agentia Ecologica Centru isi desfasoara activitatea in teritoriul mun.Chisinau si a 16 raioane administrative, aflate in subordine. Asa dar a fost sistat un numar de 120 de obiecte ce au ignorat sau incalcat prevederile legislatiei in vigoare. Dam citire listei acestora:

I N F O R M A T I E despre intreprinderi, organizatii si alte unitati industriale, agricole cu activitatea sistata in perioada ianuarie-decembrie 2004

1. ?I ?Storojuc Alexandru? or.H?nce?ti
2. SRL ?Agro Euro Market? or.Chi?in?u, 1-01/1-14
3. SRL ?BARS-A? or.Chi?in?u, str.Vadul lui Vod?, 2-01/1-14
4. ?I ?Daranu?a?, or.C?u?eni, 3-01/1-14
5. ?I ?Ecaterina Sp?nu?, r-l C?l?ra?i s.Dereneu, 4-01/1-14
6. SA ?Tirex-Petrol?, r-l Ungheni S.P?rli?a, 5-01/1-14
7. ?I ?Virado-Botnaru?, or.Chi?in?u str. Albi?oara 78/1, 6-01/1-14
8. Complex locativ ?Cascada-Verde?, or.Chi?in?u, 7-01/1-14
9. SRL ?Regomit?, or.Chi?in?u str.Gh.Co?buc 5A, 8-01/1-14
10. SRL ?Exclusiv Ursus?, or.Chi?in?u str.A.Russo 22, 9-01/1-14
11. SRL ?Glorinal?, or.Chi?in?u bd.Mircea cel B?tr?n, 11-01/1-14
12. Dl Costiuc ?t., r-l C?l?ra?i s.Hogine?ti, 12-01/1-14
13. ?I ?Eremenco-Cravcenco?, or.Chi?in?u str.Belinschi 26, 13-01/1-14
14. SRL ?Autodiscom?, or.Chi?in?u str.Alba Iulia 156, 14-01/1-14
15. SRL ?Aurica-C?, or.Chi?in?u str.M.Costin 13/1, 15-01/1-14
16. Prim?ria s.Talmaza r-l ?tefan Vod?, 16-01/1-14
17. SRL ?Sons?, or.Chi?in?u str.Gr?dina Botanic? 28, 17-01/1-14
18. Dna Ganciuc Ana, or.Chi?in?u str.Ciaicovski 90, 18-01/1-14
19. SA ?Accent Electronic?, or.Chi?in?u bd.?tefan cel Mare, 19-01/1-14
20. Dl C.??rn?, r-l C?l?ra?i s.Palanca, 20-01/1-14
21. G? ?Paraschiv ?.R.?, r-l C?l?ra?i s.Sadova, 21-01/1-14
22. SRL ?Vitinia?, or.Chi?in?u bd.?tefan cel Mare 73, 22-01/1-14
23. SA ?Fertilitate?, or.C?u?eni, 23-01/1-14
24. SRL ?S?lcu?a?, r-l C?u?eni s.S?lcu?a, 24-01/1-14
25. ?I ?Doronu?a Aniuta?, r-l C?u?eni s.Tocuz, 25-01/1-14
26. SRL ?Buchistin?s.F?ure?ti mun.Chi?in?u, 26-01/1-14
27. SA ?Autocamtrans?, or.Chi?in?u str.Kiev, 27-01/1-14
28. Prim?ria com.Manoile?ti, s.Novaia Nicolaevca r-l Ungheni, 28-01/1-14
29. SRL ?Fidesco? CIC, or.Chi?in?u str.Petricani 19, 29-01/1-14
30. Dl Stoler Tudor, r-l Str??eni s.Chirianca
31. SRL ?Radu?, or.Chi?in?u bd.Rena?terii 30, 30-01/1-14
32. SRL ?Veronix-Com?, or.Chi?in?u str.A.Russo, 31-01/1-14
33. SRL ?Imperial-Vin?, or.Chi?in?u str.Gr.Ureche, 32-01/1-14
34. UTM Dl Pavel Sp?nu, or.Chi?in?u str.Studen?ilor, 33-01/1-14
35. Dl S.?pac, r-l C?l?ra?i s.Peticeni, 34-01/1-14
36. SRL ?Fortuna Plus?, com Bude?ti mun.Chi?in?u, 35-01/1-14
37. Com.Bubuieci str.Valea Iazului, 36-01/1-14
38. SRL ?Naturvins?, or Ialoveni str.Alexandru cel Bun 42, 37-01/1-14
39. SRL ?Leocom?, or.Ialoveni, 38-01/1-14
40. Dl Gh.Postovanu, or.Chi?in?u str.Docuciaev 4/2, 39-01/1-14
41. ?I ?MIN-Muntean?, or.Chi?in?u str.Alba Iulia 160, 40-01/1-14
42. Agen?ia Municipal? de Ipotec?, or.Chi?in?u str.A.Doga, 41-01/1-14
43. SRL ?Huluba?-Def?, or.H?nce?ti
44. SRL ?RuRosa?, or.Chi?in?u str.Mircea cel B?tr?n, 42-01/1-14
45. SRL ?Bratom Interna?ional?, or.Chi?in?u str.Alba Iulia 196/3, 43-01/1-14
46. SRL ?Orgvin?, r-l C?l?ra?i s.Hirova, 44-01/1-14
47. SA ?Terconvit?, or.Chi?in?u str.Petru Movil?, 45-01/1-14
48. SRL ?Grinanj?, or.Chi?in?u str.Kiev, 6, 46-01/1-14
49. SRL ?Plus Ascone?,r-l C?l?ra?i s.Horodi?te, 47-01/1-14
50. SRL ?Eco Prob Ros Mold?, or.C?u?eni, 48-01/1-14
51. Moara Dlui Negru, com Bubuieci mun.Chi?in?u, 49-01/1-14
52. Cariera ?Dealul veveri?ei?, r-l Ungheni com.H?rce?ti, 50-01/1-14
53. SA ?Anticor?, or.Durle?ti str.T.Vladimirescu mun.Chi?in?u, 51-01/1-14
54. Cooperativa de producere ?Plai B.G.?, or.Chi?in?u str.Alba Iulia 134, 52-01/1-14
55. SRL ?Garma Group?, or.Ungheni str.P.Rare?, 53-01/1-14
56. SRL ?Asconi?, r-l Ialoveni s.Puhoi, 54-01/1-14
57. SRL ?Vin?ria Purcari?, r-l ?tefan Vod? s.Purcari, 55-01/1-14
58. Dl Gh.Cozma, or.Chi?in?u bd.Moscovei 20, 56-01/1-14
59. SRL ?Istam Milis?, or.Chi?in?u str.Botanica 19, 57-01/1-14
60. ?I ?Camelia G?rbu?, or.Chi?in?u str.M.Viteazul, 58-01/1-14
61. Piscicola Coste?ti, r-l Ialoveni, 59-01/1-14
62. SRL ?Medton-Vladservice?, or.Chi?in?u str.I.Creang? 49/2, 60-01/1-14
63. SRL ?Bazatin-Prest?, or.Chi?in?u str.Miori?a, 61-01/1-14
64. SRL ?Daily Wants?, or.Chi?in?u str.P?durii 21, 62-01/1-14
65. SRL ?Fag-Const?, or.Chi?in?u str.Valea Crucii, 63-01/1-14
66. Dl P.Bucur, or.Chi?in?u str.Kiev 10/1, 64-01/1-14
67. SRL ?SAVA?, or.Chi?in?u str.Grenoble 147, 65-01/1-14
68. SA ?Grisan-Hamb?, or.Chi?in?u str.I.Creang? 49, 66-01/1-14
69. SRL ?Capital com?, or.Chi?in?u str.I.Creang?, 67-01/1-14
70. SRL ?Catlin-VT?, r-l Ungheni s.Bumb?ta, 68-01/1-14
71. SRL ?Creator Iu.Bor??, or.Chi?in?u str.Dragomirna 36, 69-01/1-14
72. SRL ?Foncard-service?, or.Chi?in?u str.I.Creang? 32, 70-01/1-14
73. SRL ?Frezia com?, or.Chi?in?u str.Calea Mo?ilor 15/1, 71-01/1-14
74. Prim?ria s.Cioburciu, r-l ?tefan Vod?, 72-01/1-14
75. Dl I.Grosu ?i Dna L.Tupalova, or.Chi?in?u str.Calea Ie?ilor 1a, 1b, 73-01/1-14
76. Dl E?anu Valeriu, or.Chi?in?u str.Uzinelor 12, 74-01/1-14
77. ?I ?Pa?anov Stanislav?, or.Chi?in?u str.Uzinelor 67, 75-01/1-14
78. Uniunea Bisericilor Cre?tinilor Credin?ei Evangheloce, or.Chi?in?u str.M. cel B?tr?n 4/5, 76-01/1-14
79. SRL ?Tatgazgrup?, or.H?nce?ti
80. SRL Trans World?, or.Chi?in?u str.Trandafirilor 2, 77-01/1-14
81. Biserica ?Betonia?, or.Chi?in?u str.M.Sadoveanu30/4, 78-01/1-14
82. Dl ?t.Megherea, com.Tru?eni mun.Chi?in?u, 79-01/1-14
83. SRL ?Creator Iu.Bor??, or.Chi?in?u str.Dragomirna 36, 80-01/1-14
84. Uniunea Bisericilor Cre?tinilor Credin?ei Evangheloce, or.Chi?in?u str.Sarmizegetusa, 81-01/1-14
85. SRL ?Farmacia Bucure?ti?, or.Chi?in?u str.Bucure?ti 63, 82-01/1-14
86. SRL ?Marnicmih?, or.Chi?in?u str.Ghidighici 1, 83-01/1-14
87. ?I ?Be?leag G.G.?, com.Ghidighici str.D.Cantemir 102 mun.Chi?in?u, 84-01/1-14
88. SRL ?Politica de Facto?, or.Chi?in?u str.31 august 151, 85-01/1-14
89. SRL ?Stroius?, or.Chi?in?u str.Varni?a 2/3 A, 86-01/1-14
90. SRL ?Incom-VLP?, or.Chi?in?u str.Uzinelor 90, 87-01/1-14
91. Dl I.Bogos, or.Chi?in?u str.G.Botanic? 14/5, 88-01/1-14
92. SRL ?Nour Co?, or.Chi?in?u str.Cuza Vod? 1/1, 89-01/1-14
93. ?I ?Maria Scurtu?, or.C?l?ra?i str.Dosoftei 75, 90-01/1-14
94. SRL ?Manolii?, or.Chi?in?u bd.Negruzzi 2/4, 91-01/1-14
95. Federa?ia de Para?utism, or.Chi?in?u str.V.Lupu, 92-01/1-14
96. Dl Golub Gheorghe, r-l C?l?ra?i s.Bravicea, 93-01/1-14
97. ?I ?Caton Catruc, or.Chi?in?u bd.Dacia 51, 94-01/1-14
98. SRL ?Vituvi-Com?, or.Chi?in?u str.Calea Basarabiei, 95-01/1-14
99. ?I ?I.Balaban?, or.Orhei, 96-01/1-14
100. Dl V.Jantovan, or.Orhei str.1 Mai, 97-01/1-14
101. Dl T.Godoroja, or.Orhei, 98-01/1-14
102. Dl T.Vlas, or.Chi?in?u str.T?b?c?ria Veche 13, 99-01/1-14
103. SA ?CET-2?, or.Chi?in?u str.Me?terul Manole 3, 100-01/1-14
104. SRL ?Sanatrix?, or.Chi?in?u ?os.Balcani 35, 101-01/1-14
105. SA ?FAMIR GROUP?, or.Chi?in?u str.M.B.Bodoni 27, 102-01/1-14
106. SA ?FAMIR GROUP?, or.Chi?in?u str.A.Mateevici 113A, 103-01/1-14
107. Dl A.Sclearuc, or.Chi?in?u str.N.Titulescu, 104-01/1-14
108. SRL ?Tei?or?, or.Chi?in?u ?os.Munce?ti 598, 105-01/1-14
109. SRL ?Chitico?, or.Chi?in?u bd.Dacia 49/1, 106-01/1-14
110. SRL ?PROMETEU?, or.Chi?in?u str.N.Iorga 2, 107-01/1-14
111. Dna M.Crasulea, or.Chi?in?u str.Trifan Balt? 15/2, 108-01/1-14
112. Asocia?ia Profesional? de Sambo, or.Chi?in?u ?os.H?nce?ti 145, 109-01/1-14
113. SRL ?Semvin Service?, or.Chi?in?u str.Bernardazzi 42 of 12, 110-01/1-14
114. SRL ?Diuran? or.Chi?in?u str.M.Viteazul, 111-01/1-14
115. SRL ?Astra-K?, or.Chi?in?u str.Cuza Vod? 46, 112-01/1-14
116. SRL ?Sansilvia?, or.Chi?in?u str.C?rbunarilor 1, 113-01/1-14
117. SRL ?Cons Unic?, or.Chi?in?u bd.Dacia 55, 114-01/1-14
118. SRL ?Plugarul?, or.Chi?in?u str.Ciuflea, 115-01/1-14
119. SRL ?Creator Iu.Bor??, or.Chi?in?u str.Dragomirna 36, 116-01/1-14
120. SRL ?Ghonvaro-Com?, or.Chi?in?u str.Coloni?a 108, 117-01/1-14

The world natural heritage site “west Caucasus” in Russia is in danger!

In November 2004 the investment basis for the construction of the Cherkessk – Adler highway was submitted for the state environmental review to "Rosprirodnadzor" (Russia’s Service on Control of Natural Use Management). The Damkhurts – Krasnaya Polyana part of this road is going to be built through the territory of the Caucasian Biosphere Reserve (World Natural Heritage Site "West Caucasus") and virgin mountain areas bordering it. Building owner of the project is "The Department of Federal Highways in Karachay-Circassian Republic". This project is not accepted for carrying out the state environmental review yet, but it may happen soon.

Not so long ago there were plans to construct the highway through the Caucasian Reserve (Lagonaki Plateau) on Maikop – Dagomys route. Fortunately public protest campaign against this construction was successful and this project was not put into practice. But Adygeya Republic authorities are still planning this road-building, so the danger is not eliminated completely. And now a much more dangerous threat of road construction through the Caucasian Reserve is coming from Karachay -Circassian Republic authorities. The government of this North Caucasian republic, as well as Adygeya’s authorities, wants to get a direct outlet to the Black Sea coast. So Karachay – Circassia leaders have been designing the Cherkessk – Adler highway since 2001. But the only direct way from Karachay-Circassia to the Russia’s Black Sea coast lies through the Caucasian Reserve. This project can severely damage both – the integrity of the Caucasian Biosphere Reserve and its natural complexes.

Nine options for this highway route were considered within the framework of the investment basis for the Cherkessk-Adler highway construction. Karachay-Cherkessia promoted the 6th option most actively. According to the promoted option, the highway is planned on the route: Cherkessk?- Psemen – Rozhkao – Damkhurts – Damkhurts River valley – Tsakhvoa River valley – Kardyvach Lake – Engelmanova Polyana – Krasnaya Polyana – Adler. Total length of the highway on this route is 313 kilometers. Construction of two tunnels with the total length of 12,6 kilometers is planned. So the highway is going to be built on extremely valuable areas in southern part of the Caucasian Reserve near the border of Russia with Georgia (Abkhazia). Virgin areas in both of Damkhurts River and Mzymta River valleys, bordering the Reserve, will also suffer from this.

Here the highway lies also on a protected areas: Sochi National Park, Sochi Zakaznik (wildlife refuge) and Damkhurts Zakaznik. As a result, if this project is realized, huge areas of the West Caucasus wilderness will be deeply influenced by intense anthropogenic impact.

Caucasian Reserve, as well as other unique natural complexes of Russia, is now in great danger. In the last few years, illegal but profitable for authorities projects were widely practiced in Russia and Northern Caucasus in particular. These projects are usually put into practice even despite the heavy opposition from the public.

But the main danger now is that even laws can be easily changed, Deputies of the governmental party "United Russia", make up the majority in the State Duma (Parliament of the Russian Federation) and are changing laws one after another. So it is quite possible that Russian authorities might even change the federal legislation making it possible to stretch the highway through the Reserve.

The areas of the Caucasus Reserve where the road construction is planned are a part of the World Natural Heritage. This fact will hardly become a serious obstacle for those behind this project, unless the international community will raise a question at the highest level about the inadmissibility of this construction.

This problem is very important and calls for active actions from all people and organizations concerned on the conservation of wild nature of The Caucasian Reserve. Russian environmental organizations are starting a public campaign against the construction of the Damkhurts – Krasnaya Polyana highway.

As part of this campaign Environmental Watch on North Caucasus with the support of other local NGOs and also Greenpeace Russia and Biodiversity Conservation Center is preparing to carry out a public environmental review of this project.