Lake Pape - Conservation, preservation and evolution of lake Pape, Latvia

The project aimed to create a sustainable long-term institutional framework for managing Lake Pape Nature Park in south-west Latvia as well as to develop a preservation regime for endangered wetland habitats. The project began with an inventory of flora, fauna and habitats, a hydrology study and a feasibility study for calcareous meadows which resulted in an action plan. The project succeeded in producing a long-term lake management plan. An advisory committee of stakeholders with 13 participants was formed. Dredging of two rivers was carried out to improve water exchange and thus prevent overgrowth of the lake. Reed cutting was carried out, with 100 ha cut down each year. An inspection system was established to prevent violation of new controls. Two inspectors have been in place and 7.748 m of illegal fishing nets were removed. In the popular coastal dunes area, visitors were controlled by a signed nature trail and by the setting-out of 7 designated camping places. A wide range of public information has been produced, including a handbook about the area’s history, nature, protected species and the new rules that help its preservation. There are also leaflets, a video and website.