Restoration of hydrological regime and prevention of fires in hydrological Zakaznik “YELNIA”, an IBA and potential Ramsar Site

Grant Agreement nr. WGP1 25 GPI 35

Agreement holder: APB, The National Union “BirdLife Belarus”

Country/region: Belarus, Eastern Europe

Activity period: 01/12/2001 – 30/06/2002

Objectives and results:

The overall goal of the project is the improvement of the ecological situation in Zakaznik “Yelnia” through restoration of its natural hydrological regime and prevention of fires.

1. prevent excessive outflow of groundwater from the mire via canals through construction of special dams.

Achieved:

The project managed to close (as planned) 17 drainage channels with dams, thereby contributing to an increase in groundwater level. Unlike previous years, with annual destructive fires sweeping across the area, not a single fire was registered in Yelnia in 2001 and 2002.

1. Complete restoration will take time, but with the hydrological situation restored, it is expected that flora and fauna diversity on the burned areas will recover in the foreseeable time.

The Yelnia area is one of the largest bog mires (19,984 ha) in Belarus and Central Europe. In 1961 a hydrological zakaznik (reserve) of national importance was established in this area (total area of 23,200 ha). The mire is an internationally Important Bird Area (IBA, Criterion A4) and a potential Ramsar site. The area was under severe threat from drainage and ensuing fires, and the project successfully countered this problem.

The restoration activities undertaken by the project, have been implemented in accordance with a very detailed plan, and have been very effective. Independent review by experts of RSPB (N. Schaffer) reported it as a very successful and important demonstration project.

The project has been well-documented. Financial administration and management was carried out by UNDP. Ownership of dams have been transferred by the Belarussian Ministry of Natural resources and Environmental Protection to Disna Forestry, which will perform monitoring and maintenance works on the constructions. The Ministry has also passed a decision to ban migratory waterfowl hunting in the zakaznik during spring and autumn.