The 'Green Lungs' is an area of about 760 000 km2 covering seven states, and has a population density of about 45 people per km2. The main functions of this area are agriculture, forestry, industry, marine economy and tourism. As a follow-up to UNCED, the seven states involved agreed to an outline concept for the 'Green Lungs of Europe' in February 1993. Much of the land already has protected status (14 national parks, 18 state nature reserves all in the former USSR and 5 biosphere reserves). The area includes the Mazuria Lakes (north of Warsaw). Management of the area will rely on extensive consultation, and the participation of municipalities and international agencies. Legislative and landuse planning tools will be used to promote the appropriate development of different zones to integrate landscape and nature conservation goals into sustainable forms of: productive agriculture, development of tourist infrastructure, health resorts and ecological zones (Polish Ministry of Environmental Protection, Natural Resources and Forestry et al, 1993).
Map 9.30 - The 'Green Lungs' of Europe area
Source: Polish Ministry of Environmental Protection, Natural Resources and Forestry et al, 1993
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