Changing people's relationship to their environment: Difference between revisions

==Introduction and general events==

At the beginning of the twenty-first century a large part of geographically bounded places have been remarked by a human activity. From some of them people disappeared long time ago and archaeological finds can be the only possible vestige of ancient residents. In large part of these places are people directly occurring at present, whether there are their homes, or various spheres of human interests. While in certain areas, people will appear in the future, for example, the Arctic Circle territories can be presented.<ref>Watson, R.T.; Zinyowera, M.C.; Moss, R.H. IPCC Special Report on The Regional Impacts of Climate Change: An Assessment of Vulnerability. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, United Nations Environment Programme. Hague 2000.</ref> However people are equally affected by the environment where they live and which surrounds them. Predominantly they are in contact with their home country. It provides them livelihoods, inspiration, shelter, work, etc. is linked with their lives.

Following parts of the case study will be devoted to interrelationship of people and landscape associated with Beskydy Protected Landscape Area - Beskids. I tried to offer a general view of the current situation by a comparison with long prevailing natural human approach to landscape and with others predominantly European regions. For a detailed specification and illustration, I also draw from own surveys and interviews with local residents.

==Beskids==

===History and culture===

The area of the Beskids has been inhabited for a very long time. Approximately at the time of 4500 BC man already settle down there - during the geological periods of Epiatlantic and Atlantic.<ref>Pavelka, J.; Trezner, J. etc. Příroda Valašska. Český svaz ochránců přírody, Orchidea. Vsetín 2001. p. 79.</ref> In the Beskidy region can be seen a lot of historical sites and preserved ancient wooden houses. For example the castle Roznov from the early 14th century,<ref>Sobotka, R. Hrad Rožnov. Městský úřad v Rožnově pod Radhoštěm. Rožnov pod Radhoštěm 1997.</ref> or Wallachian Open Air Museum beautifully displaying the wooden houses and the unique culture of the Beskids dwellers.<ref>Smahel, R. Valašské muzeum v přírodě. Osveta. Martin 1976.</ref> General part of the current inhabitants can be identified by the word "Wallachians" associated with the area Wallachia overlapping the Beskidy mountains. Up to first half of the 20th century for a long time the ancient culture of local people had preserved in the Beskids, but since the forties of the 20th century was largely and forcibly suppressed. Characteristic for original culture of the Beskids are wooden houses, folk customs, handicrafts and traditional farming. Thanks to effort of local dwellers this unique culture can be still seen in a few places like Velke Karlovice or Velka Lhota villages.<ref>Valašsko. Okresní úřad Vsetín, referát regionálního rozvoje. Vsetín 1998.</ref>

===Beskydy Protected Landscape Area and natural environment of this area===

Beskydy Protected Landscape Area - Beskydy PLA - is protected landscape located over a large part of Outer Western Carpathians - thereinafter Beskids. It was created in the year 1973 and today protects over 1160 km2 of diverse landscape. Its priority is to protect the unique flora and fauna typical of Western Carpathians. Beskydy PLA to a certain extent participates in the area development. By various projects it endeavour to support traditional crafts, which include carpentry of wood, blacksmithing, weaving, glass industry, etc. and renaissance of natural land management. <ref>Beskydy PLA efforts. Retrieved February 14, 2011, from Beskydy Protected Landscape Area website - [http://www.beskydy.ochranaprirody.cz/]</ref> Overall, Beskydy PLA helps to preserve and inspirit the culture of ancient inhabitants. As essential can be seen predominantly strict architectural forms of allowed buildings in protected landscape, which help to design the picture of the Beskids. In certain parts, where we can classify forestry with restoration of devastated forests, and future perspective linked with support of the sustainable development of the Beskids, has Beskydy PLA a long road ahead.