Introduction

by Valer GOTEA

As a joint initiative of three environmental NGOs, Ecological Group for Cooperation (GEC), Global Environment Facility (GFF) and The Society for Protection of Geological Environment (SPMG), The National Monitoring Network for the Application of Environmental International Conventions (SACIM) was set up in December 1996. The eleven most important conventions were taken into consideration for the creation of this network.

The functional bases of SACIM network were put during its National Conference, which took place in Busteni December 12-15, 1996. The initial structure of the eleven-component network, one for each convention, was established here. Each of the eleven networks is composed of several Romanian environmental NGOs interested in monitoring the application of the respective convention, and each of them has a coordinating elected NGO.

SILVA The Forestry Students Organisation (OSS SILVA) was chosen to coordinate the National Monitoring Network for the Application of the Bern Convention in Romania by the vote of the 24 NGOs interested in monitoring the Bern Convention in Romania which were present at the National Conference of SACIM network. The Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats, also known as the Bern Convention, was adopted on September 19, 1979 in Bern (Switzerland). Romania ratified the Convention by the law No. 13 of March 11, 1993, published in the Official Gazette No. 62 of March 25, 1993. According to its stipulations, the Bern Convention came into force for Romania on September 1, 1993.

OSS SILVA considers of a great importance the participation in this action of as many environmental NGOs as possible, because it is our duty to try to preserve the great natural heritage of Romania. The Bern Convention authorities themselves emphasize the importance of NGOs' participation into this kind of action. Thus, the Bern Convention publications stipulate that "the NGOs have a very important role for the application and observance of the Bern Convention, on both international and national levels. As overseers, they signal, for instance, to the Secretariat, the situations in which the Convention has been violated, and they can suggest concrete actions or studies. In this way the Permanent Committee of the Convention can take benefit of their experience. The wonderful forest of Hainbourg (Austria) has been preserved thanks to their actions".

In spite of late publishing due to financial difficulties, we hope the present guide will reinvigor this field with great results expected in December 1996. This guide is intended to be only the first step in achieving the goals of the SACIM network. It is especially dedicated to the members of this network, but, at the same time, to the local and national authorities and to everybody interested in protecting endangered species and natural habitats. Basic information for a good activity of the network is presented here: the official Romanian version of the Bern Convention, the appendix of the Convention (only the species from the Romanian flora and fauna are listed), the functional strategy of the network, members' directory and some other useful information for those who want to take action in this field.

The guide is structured into three main distinct parts. The first part, named "The Bern Convention", includes the official version of the Convention, its four appendices and a description of every strictly protected species in appendices 1 and 2. The second part, named "Collaboration among NGOs", includes the functional strategy of the network and members' directory. The third part, named "Collaboration with Authorities", includes a collaboration model between OSS SILVA and local authorities from Brasov county. Finally, a reference list could be found, which is useful if elucidating details about species is needed. We hope that all the information provided be of maximum utility, and we also hope that new materials will supplement this guide.

We need to thank all those who contributed to this guide, the first of its kind in Romania, and we hope to have with us all those who are committed to achieve the purpose of the SACIM network: the conservation of the Romanian natural heritage.