FERM 2025 | Dr. Eng. Cătălin BURLUI (Suceava Forestry Directorate): “Hunting tourism is not just recreation, but also a model for the sustainable valorization of the county’s natural and cultural heritage.”

MOLDOVA REGIONAL ECONOMIC FORUM 2025

19th Edition – Vatra Dornei, July 9–13, 2025

Thematic Panel:

Tourism and Destination Development in the Moldova Region

Speaker:

Dr. Eng. Cătălin Burlui, Coordinator of Hunting Activities at the Suceava Forestry Directorate

Topic of the Intervention:

“Hunting Tourism – Sustainable Management and Exclusive Attraction”

The Moldova Regional Economic Forum 2025, 19th edition, held in Vatra Dornei, brought together policymakers, investors, experts, representatives of local and central public administration, business leaders, and international institutions from Romania, the Republic of Moldova, Ukraine, and other strategic European and non-European regions.

The event focused on analyzing economic, infrastructural, and cultural development opportunities in the Moldova Region, promoting dialogue and collaboration between the public and private sectors.

Panel 7, titled “Tourism and Destination Development in the Moldova Region”, centered on exploring the role of culture and regional identity in tourism development and heritage conservation. In this context, the intervention of Dr. Eng. Cătălin Burlui, Coordinator of Hunting Activities at the Suceava Forestry Directorate, highlighted hunting tourism as a tool for sustainable management of natural resources and exclusive attraction.

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Forestry Directorate Suceava: Autonomy, Management, and Responsibility

“The Suceava Forestry Directorate is a subdivision of the National Forests Authority Romsilva, with economic management and financial autonomy. We are responsible for the sustainable and unified management of the forest fund, and currently we are focusing on the conservation of game and fish species,” emphasized Dr. Burlui.

In Suceava County, the Directorate manages 23 hunting grounds, covering over 290,000 hectares, of which forests account for more than 76%. To maintain wildlife populations, annual basic and supplementary feeding is provided, including 45 tons of salt blocks, 190 tons of concentrated feed, 270 tons of fibrous feed, and green fodder over 450 hectares.

The Suceava Forestry Directorate representative also highlighted, with concrete data, the challenges of managing large wildlife:

“The existing population of large carnivore species, especially bears and wolves, exceeds three times the optimal level established by specialized studies. Sustainable management requires balancing species conservation with the prevention of conflicts with human populations.”

Hunting Activities: Ecological Balance and Economic Value

“We organize annual hunting actions in accordance with quotas established by the Minister of Environment’s Order. The selection of specimens aims to maintain ecological balance and improve population quality. At the same time, this activity supports the economic interests of the National Forests Authority in the hunting sector,” explained Cătălin Burlui.

Hunting installations, high observation towers, hunting lines, cabins, and feeding stations allow hunting tourism to be practiced in an organized framework, promoting both wildlife conservation and high-quality tourism. Organized hunting events at the Pojorâta Forestry District illustrated the professional application of these principles.

Complexes and Facilities for Hunting Tourism

The Forestry Directorate manages two complexes for intensive game breeding:

• Marginea Forestry District, 425 hectares, operational since 2004;
• Pătrăuți Forestry District, 702 hectares, recently operational.

Additionally, four hunting lodges located in Mălini, Falcău, Frasin, and Putna offer tourists diverse activities: hunting, fishing, visits to monasteries, and exploration of local cultural landmarks.

“Hunting tourism is not only recreation but also a model for the sustainable valorization of the county’s natural and cultural heritage,” added Dr. Burlui.

Strategic Projects for Wildlife Conservation

Brown Bear Conservation

“We have implemented the National Action Plan for the conservation of the brown bear, which included population monitoring through genetic analyses and the installation of 30 animal and crop protection systems in vulnerable areas,” detailed Burlui.

Studies indicated that the national brown bear population ranges between 10,400 and 12,770 individuals.

LEX TURINGIA Project

Another strategic project involves releasing 20 lynx individuals into the forests of Central Thuringia in Germany by 2028, half of which come from the Eastern Carpathians. The specimens will be monitored using transmitters and managed through a strict quarantine and gradual release protocol. So far, two individuals, “Ionel” and “Daniela,” have already been successfully relocated.

“These projects demonstrate that hunting tourism and wildlife conservation can coexist and bring regional benefits, both ecological and economic,” emphasized Dr. Burlui.

Conclusions: Tourism, Nature, and Regional Identity

Dr. Eng. Cătălin Burlui’s intervention from the Suceava Forestry Directorate highlighted that hunting tourism, integrated into sustainable management strategies, contributes to maintaining ecological balance and the region’s economic development. Carmen Nastasă, former director of the “Carmen Saeculare” Center for Culture and Arts, added:

“Our forests are extraordinary. We have unique trails and lodges, and the teams of the Forestry Directorates in Suceava and Neamț are passionate and dedicated to tourism.”

Thus, the example of the Suceava Forestry Directorate and its strategic projects offers a model for integrating natural and cultural heritage into the tourism development of the Moldova Region, strengthening regional identity and creating sustainable opportunities for communities and investors.

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