The problem of management of small rivers in the Republic of Moldova remains serious amid climate change that causes rivers to dry up. There are also natural actions that are rather negative and do not allow properly conserving nature. These create problems in water supply in agriculture and influence the quality of water in rivers, such as the Nistru and the Prut, executive director of the Eco-TIRAS International Environmental Association of River Keepers Ilia Trombitski stated in a news conference at IPN where there were presented the actions taken within a project implemented with the assistance of the German Environment Agency.
Ilia Trombitski said the project was initiated together with German colleagues so that the EU’s experience is shared in Moldova. It involved the engagement of local public authorities in solving problems that are often neglected. Under the legislation, the local administration is responsible for the quality of water. River management can be improved only by involving all the players and combining forces and the project lends a hand in this regard. Currently, the given problems are addressed by sub-basin councils and an example is the council of the sub-basin of Baltata, a branch of the Nistru.
Karl Stracke, of the Berlin Independent Institute for Environmental Issues, told the same news conference that the project is based on the experience of a similar project implemented in Germany. The goal is to offer support to the local public authorities. The EU Water Framework Directive aims to improve the quality of water in all the rivers, lakes, etc. as part of the Association Agreement with the EU that was signed by Moldova as well. In practical terms, the project’s objective is to reduce the negative impact of the human factor in time, which generated negative changes. German experts came to the Republic of Moldova and share their experience in managing environmental issues. The plan of action is to be implemented during the next six years.
Professor Roman Korobov, Doctor Habilitate in climate change problems, said the degradation and anthropogenic transformation that often turn small rivers into simple water streams make them especially sensitive to variability and climate change. His study focused on the Baltata River. As a result of researches, it was established that a multitude of factors, such as precipitation, temperatures and others, in time influenced the state of the river, including the volume of water in it. Now this can be stepped over. If measures are not taken, the existing problems could amplify. It goes mainly to the low quantity of water and worse quality of water, changes in the fundamental characteristics of the flow that can drastically change the ecological and hydrological characteristics of water. There are direct risks, such as drought or flooding, and indirect risks, such as changes in the water cycle that causes environmental degradation with a negative impact on social and natural systems.
Petru Vinari, president of the Association “Parks of the Future”, said almost a year ago, together with the partners from Germany and those from Eco-TIRAS, they launched the Baltata sub-basin council. They cooperate with the local public authorities of the localities situated near the river, such as Baltata, Budesti and Tohatin. Among the first activities is the planting of trees, which is a solution given that Moldova is the least wooded country in Europe and given the problem worsening pace. Planting will continue so as to fill the gaps existing in those areas and to enrich wooded strips.
In the framework of the same project that is implemented with support from the German Environment Agency, there was printed a methodological guide on the management of basins of small and medium-sized rivers. The project “Development of Water Management Capacities in the Republic of Moldova at Local Level” is implemented by the Independent Institute for Environmental Issues of Berlin in partnership with the Eco-TIRAS International Environmental Association of River Keepers.
