Duration of the project:

1/6/2014 – 31/5/2018

Total value:

€ 833.985

EU co-financing:

€ 623.674

Beneficiary coordinator:

Danube-Drava National Park

Partners:

WWF Hungary, VIDRA- Regional Development Agency of Virovitica-Podravina County, Municipality of Pitomača, Public institution for the management of protected parts of nature and the ecological network of Virovitica – Podravina County.

Web page: LIFE Old – Drava

The main goal of the project is to contribute to the conservation and resilience of floodplain coastal habitats through the improvement of the water regime and the improvement of the biodiversity status of floodplain forests along the backwaters.

Restoration involves stabilizing sufficient water levels with water structures to retain water in the tributary and improving the inflow of water from the main course of the Drava River. Increasing water levels will provide favorable conditions for alluvial forests, and also provide favorable ecological conditions for other aquatic habitats. By planting domicile species of trees and shrubs, the diversity of forest habitats will be improved.

There is significant human activity within the project implementation area, especially fishing has a significant pressure on nature. The project seeks to harmonize human activity and nature conservation goals. The campaign is aimed at local fishermen, including them in the removal of abandoned fishing platforms and other waste from the backwater.

The project seeks to raise the level of awareness in society through various communication tools (online quizzes, e-learning paths, leaflets, videos). Once society is familiar with the dynamics of the process and the importance of floodplain forests, there will be support for sustainable and environmentally sound management, not only in the project area, but also in other floodplains. Furthermore, the project confirms that the use of these measures will have a positive effect and benefit, not only on natural values, but also the local population will directly benefit from them.