Conflict resolution between protected area managers and a local community
About this good practice
The Pajūris (Littoral) regional park is one of 30 regional parks, i.e., IUCN category 5 protected areas in Lithuania, established in 1992 as a result of creating a comprehensive system of state parks and other protected areas in a newly-independent Republic of Lithuania.
Back in 1992, it was a very audacious and timely effort since most of important landscapes and habitats of Lithuania have been awarded some level of protection, with 4 strict nature reserves, 4 national parks, and 30 regional parks covering ca. 10% of the national territory and territorial waters.
However, such a fast and vast designation of protected areas and imposing rigid functional zoning has immediately created the conflict with local communities, which deepened as a result of restitution of the pre-WWII land property in many protected areas. The situation was further aggravated by the real estate developers who were keen to grab these areas of outstanding scenic beauty for development of residential districts, second homes, or golf courses.
Similar situation was in the Pajūris (Littoral) regional park, which is a suburban protected area sandwiched between Klaipėda, a city with the busiest seaport on the eastern coast of the Baltic Sea, and Palanga, the largest eastern Baltic seaside resort.
Resources needed
85,000.00 €. There is aproved a project application which the main idea is to improve the approach to protected areas (included Natura 2000 sites) and to show new possibilities delivered by protected areas: blue and green economy, eco tourism, other services and products for local people.
Evidence of success
As a result of the latest intervention and search for reconciliation, representatives of the local community are included into the advisory council of the Littoral regional park.
This resulted in declining number of suites as ever more conflicts are being solved in the round table discussions.
The administration of the regional park promotes local sustainable tourism services and gastronomy businesses by issuing permits to local entrepreneurs in an easier mode.
Potential for learning or transfer
As the presented problem is common to many protected areas in Europe and beyond, the potential for learning or transfer of good experience how to solve the problem in other similar protected areas throughout Europe is high.
Further information
Website
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
EUCC Baltic Office