| The UN programme for education, science, culture and communication, UNESCO, inaugurates biosphere reserves. A biosphere reserve has three main purposes: conservation, sustainable development, logistic support. The conservation function Biosphere reserves should promote the conservation of biological and cultural diversity. The conservation can be targeted to a single species but the conservation is more often focused upon the whole landscape or ecosystem. In the area around the southern part of Lake Vänern, there are high preservational values, both in regards to nature and culture. It is a highly living and active landscape. Therefore, it is of great importance to protect the area in the best possible way. With the establishment of a biosphere reserve, this area can serve as a model landscape for alike environments The development function A biosphere reserve should promote economical development and a sustainable social development. The idea is that biosphere reserves should contribute to a development that is beneficial for the people living in the area, as well as for nature and the local environment. An example of this kind of development is environmental tourism where efforts can be made to make nature more easily accessible to people. In the longer perspective this also benefits the local businesses and industries. |
| The logistic support function Biosphere reserves should support good examples. These examples can represent environmental education or other demonstrational projects which are related to conservation and development on the local scale. Different types of research, related to nature preservation and conservation may also be conducted in the area and should be ecouraged. Local involvement There is a strong local interest of establishing a biosphere reserve in the area. It is the local people, represented in local associations, which make up the core of the preparatory study. The associations meet in reference groups to discuss ideas and suggestions that are developed and applied to the sustainable development in the area. |
