The Institute of Zoology marked Europe Day with a public seminar in the region of the Lower Prut Biosphere Reserve

The Institute of Zoology organised on 20 May 2021 an online public informational seminar within the project eMS BSB 27 Black Sea Basin interdisciplinary cooperation network for sustainable joint monitoring of environmental toxicants migration, improved evaluation of ecological state and human health impact of harmful substances, and public exposure – MONITOX.

Seminar had the aim to present the results obtained in BSB 27 project, offer some details about the Black Sea Basin Program of the European Union and increase the level of information of participants on the support provided by the European Union to countries, which are beneficiaries of the cross-border cooperation programs.

Program of seminar consisted of several issues: project MONITOX – achievements and perspectives, partnership and learned lessons (corresponding member of ASM Elena Zubcov, coordinator of the team of the Institute of Zoology within BSB 27 project), doses of environmental nuclear radiation, radon and thoron in the Black Sea basin and associated risk factors for public health (Prof. Habil.Dr. Antoaneta Ene, Dunărea de Jos University of Galați, manager of BSB 27 project), objectives and eligibility requirements of the Black Sea Basin Programme (Dr. Assoc.Prof. Lucia Bilețchi), Black Sea Basin Programme as a financing opportunity for the achievement of several objectives in the area of the Lower Prut Biosphere Reserve (Dr. Nadejda Andreev).

Discussed topics were selected taking into account the target groups of the event: mayoralties/ local action groups in the area of the Lower Prut Biosphere Reserve (Cahul district), NGOs, but also researchers, students, didactic staff from the Republic of Moldova and Galati County, Romania. Despite the intense activity rhythm of authorities, the seminar was attended by mayors of Giurgiulesti (Tatiana Gălățeanu), Manta (Violeta Hîncu), Crihana Veche (Igor Miclauș), Slobozia Mare (Valentina Carastan) and Vadul lui Isac (Alexandra Piscunov) localities, head of the Biodiversity Policy Department of the Ministry of Agriculture, Regional Development and Environment (Mr. Dumitru Gorelco), director of the Alecu Mare gymnasium (Svetlana Tecuci) and director of the kindergarten (Olga Rotaru) from Slobozia Mare village. Among the 42 participants, there were also representatives of civil society (Clean Water, Cahul, Eco-TIRAS International Association of River Keepers, National Environmental Center, Chișinău).

Question and answer session focused on the ecological state in Giurgiulești and Galați port areas, in the lower parts of the Prut and Danube rivers, main sources of pollution in the Lower Prut basin, prospects of collaboration between the local public authorities and research institutions - beneficiaries of MONITOX project and the support provided by the Ministry of Agriculture, Regional Development and Environment in transforming the southern part of the country into a sustainable one.
 

Lucia Bilețchi