In memory of Alexei Palancean, Ph.D. in biological sciences, an illustrious specialist in dendrology and forestry, the “Alexei Palancean” Square was launched on Wednesday 14 July as part of the “Codrii” Nature Reserve. The inauguration ceremony was attended by the Secretary of State of the Ministry of Agriculture, Regional Development and Environment Valentina Țapeș, the EU High-Level Adviser on Green Transition Justina Grigaraviciene, as well as the director of “Moldsilva” Agency Dumitru Cojocaru and other environmental representatives of academia and forestry sector.
“Alexei Palancean is the scientific researcher who achieved special merits both in the country and abroad, being an honorary member of the Academy of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences Gheorghe Ionescu. He is the mentor who has invested knowledge in dozens of generations, having a significant contribution in promoting the principles of biodiversity conservation. We want this square to have a special contribution to the ecological education of the population, by changing the collective mentality concerning the environment, as environmental protection has become a fundamental priority on the Government’s agenda and is an index of a state’s culture,” mentioned Valentina Țapeș.
At the same time, participants discussed the organization of the International Scientific Symposium “Conservation of biological diversity – a chance to remedy ecosystems”, dedicated to the 50th anniversary of the founding of the “Codrii” Reserve. A guided tour was organised at the Museum of Nature, which aims to conserve, restore, and present its collections to the general public.
Subsequently, the officials went to the Scientific Reserve “Plaiul Fagului” in Ungheni district, to discuss with the administration about research activities in the natural ecosystem, exploring the tools to promote ecotourism to harness the natural and cultural resources in the reserve area. The parties analyzed the possibility of developing the infrastructure to facilitate access to natural and anthropogenic objectives, as well as to expand the recreational possibilities to attract tourists.
“The biodiversity is a pillar of nature. It is necessary to take actions to protect flora and fauna that depend only on human decisions. Every day we face climate change evidence that directly affects both our lives and nature. The risk to lose beech trees and other species, to distort the ecosystems is very high. There are no doubts about the importance of the efficient maintenance of protected areas as a tool to protect the biodiversity, to take climate-smart and biodiversity smart decisions together with joint actions towards green recovery and turning challenges into the opportunities without losing the natural capital,” mentioned Justina Ggrigaraviciene.
