• austriantimes.at
• croatiantimes.com
• salzburgtimes.at
• viennatimes.at
• austrianindependent.com

06. 01. 12. - 14:00

• more Panorama news...
• RSS Feed Panorama

06. 01. 12. - 14:00

Caves closed to protect bats

Romanian Times

A number of fifteen caves in the western part of the country, in Bihor, Alba and Cluj counties, will be closed based on a European funded project, in order to preserve the bat populations.

The "Conservation of bats in Craiului Forest, Bihor and Trascau" project is coordinated by the Environmental Protection Agency (APM) Bihor in collaboration with Romania's Bat Protection Association and the Institute of Speleology "Emil Racovita" in Cluj-Napoca.

According to a release issued by APM Bihor, existing railings will be closed or modified in: Lesului Valley Water Cave, Vadu Crisului Cave, as well as the ones of Batranului, Astileu, Ticlului, Tasad, Betfia, Ciur-Izbuc, Fanate, Coliboaia, Magura, Onceasa, Humpleu, Huda lui Papara and the Bat Cave from Ampoitei keys.

The project co-funded by the European Union, via the LIFE financial instrument, is to ensure long term conservation of bat populations in the area covered by this project through concrete activities, such as closure of the caves, changing the lighting in some underground habitats and changes to the tourist visiting routes to the caves, to avoid the bats getting disturbed.

Underground shelters (caves, mine galleries) play a special role in the life cycle of bats, some species using such shelters throughout the year and others only during hibernation or reproduction.

Uncontrolled tourist speleology, poorly organised human access, noise, vandalism, littering of caves, the lighting of fires, improperly set up caves could lead to a significant loss of colonies and a decline in bat populations, the representatives of Romania's Bat Protection Association explained.

Health minister considers taxing fast food and beer
The new Health Minister Vasile Cepoi said today (Thurs) that the next Health Care Law might include a new tax on fast food and beer, local press informs.

Romania wont ratify ACTA
Romania will not ratify the highly controversial (Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement)ACTA until the agreement won't be altered as to comply with demands recently formulated by the European Court of Justice, the minister of Communication Dan Nica told a press conference today (Thurs).

Romania wont ratify ACTA
Romania will not ratify the highly controversial (Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement)ACTA until the agreement won't be altered as to comply with demands recently formulated by the European Court of Justice, the minister of Communication Dan Nica told a press conference today (Thurs).

Government to introduce ‘Robin Hood’ tax on oil companies
Minister of Economy Daniel Chitoiu announced today (Weds) that the government is working on a piece of legislation on introducing a supplementary tax on the exceptional incomes of the oil companies that should be passed by the year end and implemented as of 2013.

Education Minister stepps down amid plagiarism accusations
Ioan Mang, the education minister appointed only two weeks ago together with the new cabinet of Social Liberal Union (USL) leader Victor Ponta, resigned Tuesday (yesterday) night.

Brancusi’s son doesn’t want his father remains to be moved to Romania
John Moore, the only child of sculpture Constantin Brancusi, reacted to Romania’s intention to repatriate the remains of his father, saying his last will was to be buried in Paris at Montparnasse, Libertatea newspaper informs today (Weds).

Romania back in recession, growth to resume in H2
Romania officially entered recession today, following the figures published by the National Statistics Institute (NSI) that show a decrease of the GDP for two consecutive quarters (Q).

Police head sacked over underground boss runaway row
The head of the Romanian Police Liviu Popa (picture) was sacked today (Tues) by Home Affairs Minister Ioan Rus, the ministry informs.

UK Ambassador Harris says new Cabinet took right decisions so far
The UK Ambassaodr in Romania, Martin Harris says Victor Ponta’s new government got off on the right foot by making clear that its economic policy will continue to be framed within the programme agreed between Romania and the EU, World Bank, and IMF.

Carmen Sylvas x-rayed hand to be auctioned
A x-ray of the left hand of Romanian Queen Elisabeta will be auctioned in Bucharest by Artmark auction house, Libertatea newspaper informs today (Tue).