To pass in the serene summer afternoon on picturesque coast of the Milk river by bicycle, to see ancient monuments, to glance on a farm where breed ostriches, to have a rest in cozy rural hotel, to eat tasty, environmentally friendly food … Similar to the fairy tale? It turns out when the group of enthusiasts manages to get support of the UN, even the fairy tale can be turned into a reality.
In the southeast of Ukraine, in the neighborhood of Melitopol, along the river Milk the ecological route 27 kilometers long along which by bicycle it is possible to pass with comfort to the Stone grave – an ancient sanctuary from stones and the sandstone well-known for the petroglyphs is laid, - to have a rest in a shady garden of the rural house, to try omelet from ostrich's eggs from a nearby farm.
The initiative of public organizations of the Zaporozhye region of creation of such route and development of tourism was supported in Global ecological fund and PROON. About why this project drew attention, Anton Uspensky was told by the head of the Program of small grants of the Global Environment Facility in Ukraine Svetlana Nigorodova.
SN: The program of small grants supports the initiatives connected with ecology and sustainable development. In this case the public organization could unite local government, the population, social activists around the idea of clean transport and environmental issues – including society of disabled people who seek to use any case to be involved in work, to feel as equals with all and to bring benefit to society. It was very interesting and coincided with the purposes of our program, as for involvement of physically disabled people. The program [development of the UN] considered necessary to support this idea to stimulate sustainable development at the local level, plus to bring benefit to people who live there: to both youth, and physically disabled people.
The team of enthusiasts developed a bicycle route
Photo PROON-Ukraine the Team of enthusiasts developed a bicycle route
Melitopol and the Zaporozhye region in general – one of the most polluted territories of Ukraine. Therefore to propagandize an ecological and friendly way of life, housekeeping – very important element for this area.
HEY: Whether led creation of a route to tourism development? It is insufficiently simple to create a route: those who uses it want to have an opportunity to have a rest, eat somewhere. Whether there was such effect of development of business in a chain?
SN: Same territories, generally rural, and there founded the whole network of "green" households which accept tourists at home. On a cycle route there are indexes where it is possible to stop. In its creation private households which are engaged in agriculture, small farms with the small territory were involved in 1-3 hectares on which something is grown up, there is a yard small. And they equipped mini-hotels for reception of visitors.
In addition to the route and use on it environmentally friendly transport, tourists have an opportunity to use these hotels. And it brings to owners of farms though small too, but profit and satisfaction – come to them those who use a route.
In one of such cozy gardens tourists can have a rest and try tasty food
PROON-Ukraine In one of such cozy gardens tourists can have a rest and try a photo tasty food
HEY: And you tested this route?
SN: The team of the project went, participated in a bicycle race, went together with the UN official by Ukraine, tested a route. We visited several points, met people who render tourist services, were in farms. We were there and on a bicycle race, and went separately along all route several days. Stopped, talked to people, visited villages. Also met not only performers of the project and local authorities, but even spent the night at those people who provide services in reception of tourists.
HEY: You are happy with results of the work?
SN: Yes! When there you go when you are on the place - it is the real inspiration for the person who works in the UN. When you see on the place when you communicate with people, you understand that work of the UN brings changes and benefit, - it very much pleases and cannot but please.
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