argeo s charter

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UIAA ACCESS AND CONSERVATION COMMISSION Presentation to the Council Meeting in Matsomoto Friday 5th October 2007

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UIAA - ACCESS AND CONSERVATION COMMISSION THE TEAM WHICH DEVISED ARGEO’S CHARTER

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UIAA - ACCESS AND CONSERVATION COMMISSION ARGEO’S CHARTER GUIDELINES FOR A SUSTAINABLE MOUNTAIN TOURISM IN COUNTRIES WITH FUTURE DEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL Argeo is the ancient latin name for mount Ercyes, Kaiseri, Turkey

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Guidelines paragraphs The Aim is to try and ensure that Countries where mountain tourism is in its infancy may avoid the common errors and omissions which have marred a century of development in the classical Alpine regions of Europe Understanding and protecting the environment Preserving the cultural identity Tourism in the mountains

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Water protection Biodiversity Solid waste Liquid waste Typical agriculture Railways and roads Human presence Ski UNDERSTANDING AND PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT

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Water Protection Water in the mountain is a uniquely precious resource Streams and waterfalls characterise mountain landscapes It is important to guarantee constant and abundant quantities of water in them Extraction policies for hydroelectric usage need to be well estimated In any case, a constant and abundant quantity of water must always be guaranteed Falling water in Valmasino Central Alps

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Biodiversity In most mountainous regions there is a HIGH LEVEL of biodiversity The biodiversity is PRECIOUS and has to be guaranteed The development of mountain tourism must NOT ENDANGER the specific biodiversity Predarossa peat-bog Disgrazia Group Central Alps

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Solid waste must always be properly and hygienically dispersed “Sky dumps” must always be controlled and managed River bank dumping prohibited because rain or flood will transport garbage downhill causing severe pollution problems Waste and rubbish not elimimated on the mountains, must be transported to the valley floor Solid Waste

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It is essential that liquid waste is collected and channelled to purification plants Pollution of water courses must always be avoided At high altitude, where it is impossible to use biological purification, special plants must be created or waste contained in special tanks transported by helicopter to the valley floor Liquid Waste

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Typical cultivations: - need to be encouraged - both form and characterize the landscape, culture and history of the mountains - create habitats for wildelife - contribute to the biodiversity Typical Agriculture of High Mountain Pastures Mazeri, Svaneti, Caucasus, Georgia

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Roads should facilitate access to the mountains Where it is possible railways are always preferable to roads The fewer cars you have, the better it is for the environment The construction of new infrastructures in the mountains must be evaluated avoiding damage to the natural environment Railways and Roads Red train, Engadina, Central Alps

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People living in mountains always modify the environment Paths, roads, bridges, houses, churches, castles, fortresses, and villages are all contributers to the CULTURAL IDENTITY of a population They must be preserved and never destroyed To restore these constructions without destroying them is possible using modern techniques Local training in traditional crafts should be strongly promoted and encouraged Local designers and workers should be taught to use typical materials and to employ methods and techniques of traditional architecture Human Presence in the Mountains Towerhouse, Mestia, Svaneti, Georgia

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Ski-lifts, cable cars, ski-slopes and fences have improved the economic conditions of mountain areas They do not have to disfigure the landscape They should be located in consultation with communities and other user groups Their construction does not preclude other activities such as mountaineering, ski-touring, climbing and trekking Ski Grounds Stelvio National Park, Central Alps

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Tourists in the mountains desire to experience traditional cultures Typical languages, clothes, handicrafts… must be well preserved Social and economic development must be designed to harmonise wifh the landscape and to protect natural features. PRESERVING THE CULTURAL IDENTITY Kharagauli Nationalpark, Georgia

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Economic development: balance must be maintained economic wellbeing and globalization must prevent the destrucion of local cultures and the environment Equal opportunities for the population of mountain regions: to preserve local traditions without converting mountain scenery into theme parks Mountain communities need modern facilities PRESERVING THE CULTURAL IDENTITY Focus on: Poschiavo Village, Central Alps, Switzerland

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The promotion of local cultures and skills young people must study local history and typical traditions Historical and ethnographic research must be supported by books and audiovisual aids The promotion of typical handicrafts: By the creation of crafts training workshops, where older and skilled artists and craftsmen can instruct and train the new generation of mountain craftsmen. PRESERVING THE CULTURAL IDENTITY Focus on: Handmade pottery, Cappadochia, Turkey

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Promotion of local traditions: local usages, religious beliefs, celebratory festivals… PRESERVING THE CULTURAL IDENTITY Focus on: Mama Ashu feast day procession, Chacas, Perù

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Mountaineering, trekking, climbing, ski touring,… can transform the economic development of mountain areas Free access to the mountains must be guaranteed Limitation of access must be well considered and put into effect only when strictly necessary Raising awarness of issues is more effective rather than regulating access UIAA Magazine Cover feb 2000 TOURISM IN THE MOUNTAINS

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Suggestions to develop a sustainable mountain tourism policy: Promote the professional training of local mountain guides Promote the creation of local travel agencies (protect from exploitation of mountain tourism by multi-national agencies!) Build huts and bivouacs along the well frequented paths ( where it is possible by restoration of existing structures) new provision must be the exception) In building huts is necessary to avoid spoliation of the wilderness; remoteness and distance from the roads or railways and popularity of the area are determining factors Marco e Rosa de Marchi – Agostino Rocca Hut, Bernina Group, Central Alps TOURISM IN THE MOUNTAINS

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In building a new hut it is strongly recommended that modern methods of construction are employed: To accord to ecological principles To use heat- conserving materials To use the energy of the sun (photovoltaic panels for electricity, solar panels for producing hot water, massive walls for heating rooms) To use the energy of running water for local hydroelectricity Marco e Rosa de Marchi – Agostino Rocca Hut, m 3610 a.s.l TOURISM IN THE MOUNTAINS PHOTOVOLTAIC PANELS MASSIVE TROMBE WALLS

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For tourists’ accomodation: Promote restoration of old civil and rural structures ( often tourists prefer to stay in an old traditional building, instead of in a new one) However the tourist’s accomodation must: guarantee cleanliness, hygiene and essentials facilities ( toilet, wash-basin, shower) assure modern standards of healh and safety Traditional buildings in Orobie Group, Central Alps TOURISM IN THE MOUNTAINS

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Provision of way-marked paths enabling visiting mountaneeres to explore the regions by themselves and without guide Ensure regulations for hunting and fishing are linked to promotion of natural environment TOURISM IN THE MOUNTAINS

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These guidelines can be adapted by local communities to their particular characteristics and needs Tourism in the mountains is important to ensure sustainable development to people living in mountain regions and to increase their standard of living At the same time it is important to safeguard the landscape and local culture Countries where mountain tourism is in its infancy may then avoid the errors, mistakes, and omissions perpetrated in Europe and in other places around the world CONCLUSIONS

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5) It is important in many cases to create “ parks ” to preserve flora, wild animals, environment and local traditions whilst permitting reasonable and responsible access 6) Tourists of tomorrow will increasingly need to escape from the congestion of towns and cities to relate to nature through the mountains 7) The mountains will provide fresh air, exercise and a good quality natural environment CONCLUSIONS