Biosphere reserves ? tool for sustainable development of an area - present state in the Šumava Biosphere Reserve

Abstract

It has already been more than 18 years since the Šumava Biosphere Reserve has been recognized by the Man and the Biosphere programme under UNESCO as a place with high quality of living environment regarding the nature but also social and cultural wealth. Biosphere reserve generally represent a potential for sustainable development of an area. It just needs to be used in the right way together with the support of the local stakeholders. Th is is not happening in the BR Šumava at the moment. Based on own research and other sources it is obvious there is not even a suffi cient knowledge about it among those stakeholders. Th e advantages and potential of BR Šumava are not being effi ciently used so it cannot be understood as a profi t to the sustainable development. For the future is crucial to set the decision-making processes which should be based on the principles of the equality, voluntariness and local stakeholders involvement. Th ere are activities which go well together with the idea of BR and they should be supported. One of the most signifi cant is sustainable tourism based on discretion to the nature and gaining experience and nice time spending in nice area. Also the support of small and medium business, agriculture, forestry, education, nature protection etc. is highly important. Šumava Biosphere Reserve is a beautiful place for local people to live and strangers to visit. Biosphere reserve is a tool for its sustainable development and it should be treated in that way. It opens a space for communication and mutual cooperation of all the persons and organizations concerned which should lead to mutually profi table resolutions and projects.

sustainable development, udržitelný rozvoj, biosphere reserve, sustainable tourism, socio-economic development, nature protection, biosférická rezervace, udržitelný turismus, socioekonomický rozvoj, ochrana přírody