Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹ûÏÖ³¡Ö±²¥

°Õ³ó±ðÌýGran Paradiso National ParkÌýwas established in 1922, when King Victor Emanuel III donated his hunting reserveÌýto the Italian State. The Park covers over 71,000 hectares between the Piedmont and the Aosta Valleys in the north-west of Italy. The park has broadleaf woods in the valleys, conifer woods at higher altitudes, and alpine glaciers culminating to the 4,061 meter-high Gran Paradiso peak.

Stefano Borney

Ìý Ìý Ìý

The establishmentÌýof the Gran Paradiso National Park (GPNP) wasÌýlinked to the protection of theÌýAlpine IbexÌý().ÌýThe Ibex had been decimated throughout Europe and after the Second World WarÌýonly 416 Ibex were left in the world, all of which were in the park. The Ibex was saved from extinction largely thanks to the Park’s rangers, and today there are nearly 4,000 Ibex in the GPNP alone.

Protecting the Ibex remains a key priority, but the GPNP also aims to protect the Park’sÌýbiodiversity, allowing for scientific research,Ìýpromoting environmental education and practicing sustainable tourism.

Fauna

In addition to the emblematicÌý,Ìýthe park shelters many mammals such asÌý,Ìý,Ìý,Ìý, badgers,Ìý,Ìý, martens, and stoneÌýmartens. Raptors such as theÌý and theÌýÌýrecently returned to nest in the protected area. There are also many reptile varieties, insects and amphibians, such as vipers, the Parnassius butterfly, newts and salamanders.

Economic and social development

In order to guarantee the socio-economic development of the Park’s population, the Park management promotes innovative ways that sustainably integrate people and nature, while preserving its natural heritage,Ìý such as the promotion of agro-silvo-pastoral activities, handicrafts and the traditional local architecture that protect traditional cultural values.

Enzo Massa Micon

Ìý Ìý Ìý

The Trademark of Quality Label, a label that the park assigns toÌýtourism, crafts and food operatorsÌýwho are dedicated to quality and sustainability, guarantees the origin of the Park's territory, the quality of workmanship, environmental protection, hospitality, courtesy and the respect for local traditions. So far, 84 small businesses have obtained theÌýlabel.

Ìý

Ìý

Challenges

A few of the challenges that the Park is facing are climate change, pollution, and the invasion of alien species, but also incorrect soil use, hunting and killing of animals, and unregulated management of non-wood forest products, all of which the Park authorities aim to address in the coming years.

Striving for excellence

Thanks to an exceptional natural heritage, the good ecosystem’s state of conservation, the integration of the touristic and agriculturalÌýactivities and its role as cross-borderÌýalpine protected area, the Park obtained the European Diploma of Protected Areas in 2007, a prestigious acknowledgement of the Council of Europe. The Diploma was awarded in conjunction with the Parc National de la Vanoise and the Mont Avic national park.

Gran Paradiso has been part of theÌýÌýprogramme since 2014 to strengthenÌýits role inÌýpreserving theÌýecological integrity of theÌýecosystems for present and future generations, as well as toÌýpromote socio-economic development forÌýthe local population, and enhanceÌýand preserveÌýthe environmental characteristics of the Park itself.

Enzo Massa Micon

Ìý Ìý Ìý

Ìý