In 2015 Romania had a total of 1,486 protected areas, up by 156.6 percent in the past 25 years, reveal latest data by the Romanian Ornithological Society (SOR).
The statistics released on the anniversary of 25 years of environmental protection show that, at the end of last year, Romania had 13 national parks and 15 natural parks. At the same time, the Natura 2000 Network rejoined 383 Sites of Community Importance (SCI) and 148 Sites of Protection for Birds and Animals (SPA).
According to the report, 23% of the entire national territory is currently covered by natural protected areas, up by 4.8% compared to 1990.
In the European Union, Natura 2000 covers 18% of ground surface and 4% of sea surface and represents the largest network of protected areas worldwide, totaling 1.039 million square kilometers. Its main goal is to keep and return the species and habitats to a favorable state of preservation.
The EU 2020 Strategy for biodiversity warns over the necessity to raise the contribution of agriculture and forestry to maintaining and restoring biodiversity.