During the last years tourism in natural environments noted an increase in demand from the part of touristy products consumers. The Vrancea mountain area, though having a divers touristy potential, is not very well known on the tourism market. The Putna – Vrancea Nature Park, recently established, has real odds to be included in touristy programs made by traveling agencies. This article present the possibilities of tourism development in the area so the good protection of the nature variety is still achieved, but with a minimalist influence on the environment and also beneficial for the local community.nature park, environment protection, environment education,tourism in natural environments

Gina Craescu

English

Research Papers in Economics

THE ANNALS OF "DUNÃREA DE JOS" UNIVERSITY OF GALAŢI        
FASCICLE I - 2005, Economics and Applied Informatics, Year XI, ISSN 1584-0409 
 
This paper was recommended for publication by Associate Prof. Violeta PUŞCAŞU, Ph. D  133
 
TOURISM DEVELOPMENT PERSPECTIVES IN THE PUTNA –  
VRANCEA NATURE PARK  
 
Gina CRĂESCU  
 
Departement of Economics 
University “Dunărea de Jos” of  Galaţi 
cginy18@yahoo.com 
 
During the last years tourism in natural environments noted an increase in demand from the part of 
touristy products consumers. The Vrancea mountain area, though having a divers touristy potential, 
is  not  very  well  known  on  the  tourism  market.  The  Putna  –  Vrancea  Nature  Park,  recently 
established,  has real odds  to be included in touristy  programs made by traveling agencies. This 
article present the possibilities of  tourism development in the area so the good protection of the 
nature  variety  is  still  achieved,  but  with  a  minimalist  influence  on  the  environment  and    also 
beneficial for the local community..    
 
Keywords:  nature  park,  environment  protection,  environment  education,tourism  in  natural 
environments. 
 
1. Introduction 
 The occurrence of protected area in the Vrancea 
mountain area is a consequence from the fact that 
people became aware that the activities deployed 
in  time  by  local  communities  (animal  farming, 
forestry)  had  a  negative  influence  on  the 
environment,  almost  fully  destroying  vegetation 
and  triggering  geological  and  morphological 
processes (land slides, erosion). Tourism is in an 
incipient  stage,  touristy  flows  directed  towards 
this area originating mostly from the neighboring 
counties. Still, the area has a various natural and 
human potential, which through adequate putting 
to use may lead to the touristy development of the 
area  and  to  its  inclusion  into  tourist  circuits. 
Considering  the  raising  demand  for  tourism  in 
natural environments, the Vrancea mountain area, 
especially through the establishment of the Putna 
– Vrancea Nature Park, may have actual chances 
to assert itself on the tourism market. The Nature 
Park,  according  to  the  Government  Ordinance 
236/2000, corresponds to the  V  UICN Category 
(protected  landscape:  protected  area  mainly 
administered  with  a  view  to  conserving  the 
scenery and recreation). Nature Parks are defined 
as  those  natural  protected  areas,  the  purpose  of 
which  is to protect and preserve scenery sets in 
which  the  interaction  of  human  activities  with 
nature  in  time  created  a  distinct  area,  of 
significant scenery and / or cultural value, often 
marked  by  large  biological  diversity.  The 
management of nature parks aims at maintaining 
harmony in the interaction of man and nature, by 
protecting the diversity of habitats and sceneries, 
promoting the traditional use of land, encouraging 
and  strengthening  the  traditional  activities, 
practices and culture of the local community.  
 
2. The location of  Putna-Vrancea Nature Park 
Putna – Vrancea Nature Park is located center – 
north  of  the  mountain  area  of  Vrancea  County, 
being  assigned  a  protected  policy  through  the 
Government Decision 2151/2004; it covers an  
area of 38204 hectares. 
 
Fig.1 The location of  Putna-Vrancea Nature Park 
in Vrancea County THE ANNALS OF "DUNÃREA DE JOS" UNIVERSITY OF GALAŢI        
FASCICLE I - 2005, Economics and Applied Informatics, Year XI, ISSN 1584-0409 
 
This paper was recommended for publication by Associate Prof. Violeta PUŞCAŞU, Ph. D  134 
Putna – Vrancea Nature Park includes a series of 
natural  reserves  such  as:  the  Lepsa  –  Zboina 
Forest, Tisita Gorges, the Putna Fall, Lacauti – the 
source of Putna, the Goru Mountain, and natural 
monuments  such  as:  the  Red  Steep  Ravine,  the 
Pine  Pit,  and  the  Coza  Pass.  The  same 
Government  Decision  specifies  special 
preservation  areas  such  as:  the  Ciuta  Mountain, 
the Strâmba Brooke, the Băhneanu Basin and the 
Condratu Massif. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Lăcăuţi- 
Izvoarele Putnei 
Muntele Goru 
Pădurea Lepşa-Zboina 
Cheile Tişiţei 
Cascada Putnei 
Pârâul Strâmba 
Strâmtura 
Coza 
Râpa Roşie 
Gropa cu Pini 
Muntele Ciuta 
Bazinul 
Băhneanu 
Masivul Condratu THE ANNALS OF "DUNÃREA DE JOS" UNIVERSITY OF GALAŢI        
FASCICLE I - 2005, Economics and Applied Informatics, Year XI, ISSN 1584-0409 
 
This paper was recommended for publication by Associate Prof. Violeta PUŞCAŞU, Ph. D  135
2. Turistic objectives in Putna-Vrancea Nature 
Park 
The Putna – Vrancea Nature Park includes a large 
variety  of  natural  touristy  attractions,  most  of 
them within the framework of reserves and natural 
monuments of this nature park. Tisita Gorges are 
the  largest  protected  area,  taking  most  of  the 
hydrographic basin of Tisita Brooke. The relief is 
characterized  by  strong  tectonic  hydrologic 
fragmentation, with deep canyon-like valley, large 
meadows as well as high spectacular peeks, which 
spread along watersheds. One should also remark 
the  presence  of  numerous  endemic  species  of 
plants  and  animals,  as  well  as  species  declared 
monuments  of  nature,  such  as  edelweiss  and 
carthusian  pink.  The  Lepsa  –  Zboina  Forest  is 
located near Lepsa, in the higher basin of Lepsa 
Creek.  
 
This  area  preserves  forest  bushes  of  a  basin 
natural type, aged from 100 to 200 years, as well 
as flora that due to the varied stationary conditions 
is very rich in vulnerable or rare endemic species, 
such  as  Cypripedium  Calceolus,  Trollius 
Europaeus.  The  Putna  Fall  is  also  located  near 
Lepsa, is spread on a fissure with a difference of 
level of over 12 meters, and downstream at about 
200 meters on the left bank there is an old falls 
deserted due to geotectonic movement that led to 
the change of course of the Putna to the right – a 
unique phenomenon in Romania.  
 
The Coza Pass is located near the Coza Village. 
The  tectonic  processes  (breakdown  of  deposits) 
and  surface  erosion  marked  multicolored 
lithological  successions  of  great  scenery  value. 
The Pine Pit, in the basin of the Coza Creek, was 
probably formed by the dry sliding of lithological 
strata and it shows geological structures to date of 
great  scenery  value  due  to  the  alternation  of 
colors: yellow, grey, purple, linked to the higher 
and lower Tisaru Strata showing traces of fossil  
 
The Red Steep Ravine is located on the horizon of 
the salt breccia which was strongly fragmented by 
rain  erosion  that  modeled  grooves,  canyons, 
towers,  funnels  and  suffusional  avens,  giving  a 
spectacular  pseudo-karstic  character  to  the 
landscape. Goru Mountain covers a large part of 
the boreal forest level and most of the sub alpine 
level of this peak (1785 m). The protected core of 
this area is represented by the vegetation, specific 
to the sub alpine layer, the main constituent being 
the juniper trees, unique in Vrancea Mountains.  
3. Perspectives for  tourism devolpement  
The tourism became important in this area after 
1990,  especially  in  Lepsa-Tulnici  zone.  This 
turned into a touristic destination at regional level, 
with  an  accelerated  growth  in  the  number  of 
pensions  and  holiday  centers.  The  main  tourists 
flows  are  directed  to  this  area  as  it  is  the  most 
equipped  and  endowed  in  the  entire  mountain 
area.  
 
Presently the tourism activities are poor,  mostly 
due to difficult access towards interest points for 
tourists.  The  communication  ways  system  is 
undeveloped  discouraging  the  tourism  activities. 
The  access  to  various  objectives  is  realized  by 
means  of  marked  paths  and  forest  roads,  who 
often  present  high  risk  due  to  either  present 
geomorphologic  processes  frequent  enough  in 
certain areas, either numerous large mammals (the 
bear). Therefore, a first step in the proper tourism 
development  of  the  area  would  be  the 
modernization  of  the  communication  ways 
network, the marking of tourism routes, as well as 
their endowment with explanatory and orientation 
panels for the ease of wayfaring. 
 
The  accommodation  structures  are  well 
represented  in  Tulnici-Lepsa  zone,  but  rarely  in 
the other locations in the area. Outside localities, 
in  Putna-Vrancea  Nature  Park  accommodation 
can  be  found  only  as  small  forest  huts  or 
sheepfolds. This aspect represents a second weak 
point for the tourism in the area, being necessary 
the arrangement of camping places and huts along 
the  long  mountain  routes,  that  would  enable 
tourists to find good and safe shelter.  
 
Moreover, an effective management of protected 
areas is required, taking into account that up to 
present such areas were established only on paper, 
without the specialized personnel who would deal 
with  their  proper  administration,  with  the 
supervision of the tourism phenomenon so there 
will be  no  damage to the  environment and  who 
would  offer  a  minimum  information  for  the 
purpose of tourists and locals education regarding 
the importance of a protected area.  THE ANNALS OF "DUNÃREA DE JOS" UNIVERSITY OF GALAŢI        
FASCICLE I - 2005, Economics and Applied Informatics, Year XI, ISSN 1584-0409 
 
This paper was recommended for publication by Associate Prof. Violeta PUŞCAŞU, Ph. D  136 
 
Cheile Tişiţei  Pădurea 
Lepşa-Zboina 
Muntele Goru  Lăcăuţi-Izvoarele 
Putnei 
Râpa Roşie  Strâmtura Coza  Groapa cu Pini  Cascada Putnei  Alte arii de 
conservare 
specială 
Natural Park Putna-Vrancea 
Development of tourism  Nature preservation 
Modernization 
of communication 
ways systemsystem 
Expansion and  
diversification 
of  touristic 
facilities 
Involvement 
of the local 
communities 
Existence of a 
qualified staff 
Environment 
education 
Involvement of 
the local 
communities 
 
Effective management 
of  protected areas 
Diversification of  touristic activities: 
-  agrotourism 
-  camping 
-  ecotourism 
-  hunting 
Natural and artificial turistic resources 
Low impact of touristic 
activities on the 
environment 
Investments 
 
Opportunities for the local 
population 
Durable tourism 
Fig. 2 Tourism development perspectives in the  Putna-Vrancea Nature Park THE ANNALS OF "DUNÃREA DE JOS" UNIVERSITY OF GALAŢI        
FASCICLE I - 2005, Economics and Applied Informatics, Year XI, ISSN 1584-0409 
 
This paper was recommended for publication by Associate Prof. Violeta PUŞCAŞU, Ph. D  137
There  is  a  large  range  of  tourism  activities 
practicable  in  the  area,  but  this  means  a  proper 
endowment  for  their  safe  realization:  mountain 
wayfaring,  admiring  flora  and  fauna,  cycling, 
ecological  mountaineering,  habitats  restoration 
activities.  Complementary  structures  can  be 
developed  for  transportation,  equipment  rent, 
recreation and  leisure facilities. The nature park 
also comprises  localities,  which could constitute 
tourism  resources  by  means  of  their  religious, 
musical,  dancing  and  living  traditions,  folkloric 
costumes, specific crafts, culinary art.  
 
The  local  communities  represent  the  key  to 
success in obtaining benefits from tourism. They 
can  be  included  in  tourism  activities  meaning 
local  guides  for  tourists,  of  suppliers  for  the 
accommodation structures. Last but not least, for a 
positive  evolution  of  tourism  flows,  an  intense 
advertising  of  tourism  resources  in  the  area  is 
required  by  both  printed  materials  (leaflets, 
booklets, maps) and Internet 
 
Conclusions 
 
Thus, though Nature Park Putna-Vrancea  enjoys 
the  existence  of  a  rich  fund  of  natural  and 
anthropic tourism resources, it is not enough for 
tourism  development  since  the  accommodation 
structure  as  well  as  the  access  ways  network  is 
insufficient  and  inadequate.  For  the  future,  an 
effective  management  of  this  nature  park  is 
required,  management  that  will  be  implemented 
by skilled personnel who will consider two major 
objectives:  tourism  development  and  nature 
preservation.  For  the  accomplishment  of  those 
objectives is necessary to attract investors willing 
to modernize the area and to cooperate with local 
communities  who  can  represent  an  important 
manpower  and  be  at  the  same  time  the  main 
beneficiary of the incomes resulted from tourism 
activities.  Unfortunately,  until  the  realization  of 
those ideas, the tourism as well as other economic 
activities  is  performed  without  proper 
surveillance,  causing  damage,  some  times 
irreparable, to the environment.  
 
References:  
 
1.MATEI,  Elena  (2004),  „Ecoturism”,  Editura 
Top Form, Bucureşti; 
2. ROMAN, Florin (1989), „Munţii Vrancei-Ghid 
turistic”, Editura Sport-Turism, Bucureşti; 
3. *** (1981), „Rezervaţii naturale şi monumente 
ale  naturii  din  judeţul  Vrancea”,  Complexul 
Muzeal  Vrancea,  Secţia  de  Ştiinţe  Naturale, 
Focşani; 
4.  Date  obţinute  de  la  Agenţia  de  Protecţie  a 
Mediului Vrancea 
5. Legea 2151/2004 privind instituirea regimului 
de  arie  naturală  protejată  pentru  noi  zone 
publicată în  MONITORUL OFICIAL nr. 38 din 
12 ianuarie 2005. 
 
 
 

Legea 2151/2004 privind instituirea regimului de arie naturală protejată pentru noi zone publicată în MONITORUL OFICIAL nr. 38 din 12 ianuarie

Munţii Vrancei-Ghid turistic”, Editura Sport-Turism, Bucureşti;

Rezervaţii naturale şi monumente ale naturii din judeţul Vrancea”, Complexul Muzeal Vrancea, Secţia de Ştiinţe Naturale,

Tourism Development Perspectives in the Putna – Vrancea Nature Park

http://www.ann.ugal.ro/eco/Doc2005/Craiescu.pdf

Tourism Development Perspectives in the Putna – Vrancea Nature Park

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