Study-tour "Protected areas and local communities - from conflict to contradiction' in the Kenozero National Park (Russia), June, 2014

An international seminar/study-tour "Protected areas and local communities - from conflict to contradiction' was held in the Kenozero National Park  attended by representatives of the regional and local governments, employees of protected areas from different parts of Russia, NGOs and other organizations. 7 participants from Kazakhstan took part. These included employees of the regional coordinators NGOs EcoAltai, Boomerang and TEC, deputy directors of the pilot protected areas Western Altai Nature Reserve and Katon-Karagay National Park and 2 craft masters. Important to mention that the seminar was supported by the Ministry of Nature Resources of Russia and we did not pay seminar fees and related attendance costs from the project budget (we paid only travel expenses of participants from KZ to Kenozero NP). 

The venue is not coincidental, because the Kenozero National Park represents an area rich in culture and nature, but which is quite remote and relatively poor (conditions are very similar to pilot rural areas in Kazakhstan). Thanks to park’s successful experience in the development of rural and eco-tourism, establishment of cross-sector co-operation for SRTD and revival of traditional crafts, it can provide valuable inspiration to other regions. Moreover, the national park is successful in promotion of the area to potential visitors and in provision of suitable services to tourists. The study-tour had four specialized sessions with expert debates and exchange of experience:

• Territories development resources. Partnership of protected areas and LRAs;
•  Involvement of vulnerable groups of residents in socio-economic initiatives related to SRT;
•   Working with children –  engaging with child visitors, specialised programmes and activities for various age groups (intentions, aims and results, methods of working with children);
•  Safe and show: cooperating with local communities for cultural heritage preservation.

Special attention was paid to the importance of preservation of traditions and rural landscape regarded as a foundation for future local cultural and socio-economic development in which cultural tourism can serve as a suitable tool for leveling off disparities in regional development and improving the social environment.  

The activities of voluntary area councils, i.e. registered citizen action groups created in various parts of Russian North, presented on the seminar, were highly appreciated by conference participants as they showcased examples of preservation of villages as living heritage sites and development of cultural tourism by active community participation. 

7 Kazakh partners trained and improved capacity in SRTD, crafts revival and tourism potential promotion. The seminar contributed to formation of a common vision for SRT perspectives and development of cooperation among 2 Kazakh pilot protected areas, 3 NGOs and craft masters. The seminar contributed to a better understanding by participants about the importance of cultural heritage and its role as a cornerstone of regional development and as a driver for improvement of social climate in villages. International co-operation and experience exchange in SRTD were facilitated.