The Vacaresti Delta

In the mid 1980s the Communist regime decided to demolish a landmark monument of the then Bucharest: the Vacaresti monastery, which had been built in the mid 18th century. They intended to build an artificial lake nearby and started works to that end.

România Internațional, 20.11.2013, 12:43

In the mid 1980s the Communist regime decided to demolish a landmark monument of the then Bucharest: the Vacaresti monastery, which had been built in the mid 18th century. They intended to build an artificial lake nearby and even started works to that end. But the revolution occurred in 1989 and the project was abandoned, and the 190-hectare land became in time a wet area, extremely valuable from a scientific point of view, actually a genuine ecosystem with fauna and flora specific to a delta.

More than 90 bird species (hawks, pheasants and wild ducks — many of which are protected under international conventions), mammals, fish and amphibians found shelter here. Also there is evidence that the otter has found shelter in the new Vacaresti Delta. An NGO called “Save the Danube and the Delta” has already started a project meant to turn the Vacaresti marsh into an urban natural park. But, besides the bureaucratic difficulties faced by the NGO in accomplishing such a project, there are many social problems in the area. Dan Barbulescu, executive manager of the “Save the Danube and the Delta” Association, will tell us about some of the problems in the area:

Dan Barbulescu: “There is fish in the lake so poachers are always looming. That is why we believe the authorities should get more involved. We are now working very well with the Environment Ministry, a group from the ministry meets regularly to discuss the project, which, according to the law, seems easy to accomplish, but in reality it’s more complicated. Despite the Environment Ministry’s support we are frequently faced with obstacles such as the mentality of certain city hall employees. Furthermore there are real estate interests in the area, as they intend to turn it into a residential neighborhood with a mall”.

Considered a no man’s land, the Vacaresti marsh provides shelter and means of survival to several homeless families. Some live on fishing and other on collecting waste. Most of them wait to receive the donations made by various charities. Aurelia lives there, in an improvised hut, together with her family.

Aurelia: “I live here with my husband, children and mother in law, my husband’s brother lives nearby and in the same yard there are another 5 or 6 families. There are 4 other families with 12 children living near the marsh. It’s very difficult for us because we have no heating and lighting, and children cannot do their homework.”

In spite of these hardships the family’s two older boys and two older girls go to school regularly. However the family’s middle daughter Alina went to school rather late. She is 12 but she is only in the 3rd grade.

Alina: “I would have liked to go to school earlier and learn more. I would like to be a good student in the future”.

Aurelia’s family has been living like this for many years:

Aurelia: “For 15 years we have been living in these conditions, in huts, in various areas of Bucharest. We came here thanks to my brother who found this spot first. We don’t know who owns this land. Every day we go and collect PETs, waste paper, cans and copper lines. We don’t fish, so we’ll keep doing this until we find a job”.

The association called Samusocial has been trying for several years to improve these people’s living standards and professional situation. They obtained identity papers for them and have been providing them with school supplies, clothes and shoes for children. They have also helped them find a job, which, unfortunately, is a difficult thing to do, for various reasons. Monica Tautul works for Samusocial:

Monica Tautul: “We find them jobs, but most of them are seasonal jobs, on the black market. We also plan to find them a home after finding them a stable job. It’s impossible for them to work well if they sleep in the streets and don’t get enough rest. Food is also important, but not as important as hygiene. They need to be clean to be able to keep their jobs.”

It goes without saying that lodging is not easy to find. That is why for those living near the Vacaresti marsh, the ideal situation would be to continue to live there even after the area is declared natural reserve. The very initiators of the project have some ideas in this respect. Head of the “Save the Danube and the Delta Association” Dan Barbulescu has details:

Dan Barbulescu: “We know there are several families who live in the area and we have never considered having them out. They live there and should continue living there, but in better conditions. They are social cases and need special attention from the state. For instance, these people can become guides or rangers or security staff here in the park. We keep in touch with them anyway. Two days ago, Gica, an old man who lives by the marsh, called us to tell us some that some people came to cut down some trees. This is another problem. Each fall, trees are being cut down for firewood. More security staff is needed and this is something these people can do, they can take care of the park.”

Although its has a scientific certificate issued by the Romanian Academy and enjoys the official support of the Environment Ministry, the project of turning the Vacaresti Delta into a protected area has yet to work its way through thick bureaucracy.