A vanishing way of life in Danube Delta's natural paradise

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A vanishing way of life in Danube Delta's natural paradise

Tourism income looks likely to shrink drastically in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic

Published: June 30, 2020 11:06 AFP and Compiled by Christian Borbon, Digital Content Editor

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Copy of 218903-01-02-1593498777702 — As the "last rower" left in one of the villages dotting Romania's Danube Delta, Iosif Acsente is all too aware of how the traditions and vistas of the region are slowly disappearing - an issue brought into sharper relief by the coronavirus pandemic. Image Credit: AFP

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Copy of 218900-01-02-1593498772299 — Acsente has been plying the Delta with his wooden boat for more than four decades now from his home village of Sfantu Gheorghe. Image Credit: AFP

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Copy of 218899-01-02-1593498769595 — "I know the Danube so well that if you throw me out of a helicopter I'd know where I was", says Acsente proudly. But living in a natural labyrinth, accessible only by boat, has its drawbacks. Image Credit: AFP

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Copy of 218901-01-02-1593498774976 — Even though the region has been largely spared the ravages of the coronavirus pandemic, residents worry that they may end up beyond the reach of necessary medical care. Image Credit: AFP

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Copy of 218921-01-02-1593498757452 — "There is a good chance that it will be too late when the rescue boat arrives", says Acsente. It is only the latest challenge the modern world has thrown up for the Delta's fragile equilibrium. Image Credit: AFP

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Copy of 218917-01-02-1593498752575 — Included on Unesco's World Heritage list, this natural paradise spread across 5,800 square kilometres hosts over 300 species of bird and 45 freshwater fish species. Image Credit: AFP

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Copy of 218919-01-02-1593498754755 — In normal times that makes it a magnet for birdwatchers and other tourists, with locals throwing open the doors of their traditional thatched houses for visitors every summer. Image Credit: AFP

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Copy of 218887-01-02-1593498765388 — But this year that vital source of income looks likely to shrink drastically in the wake of the pandemic. Image Credit: AFP

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Copy of 218912-01-02-1593498785583 — The deputy mayor of Sfantu Gheorghe, Aurel Bondarencu, hopes that Romanians might make up some of the shortfall by holidaying in the Delta instead of heading abroad but that would only offer temporary relief from the region's problems. Image Credit: AFP

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Copy of 218910-01-02-1593498783085 — Even "normal" tourism wasn't without its problems in the time before the virus. Fisherman Marius, 51, relies on tourists eager to discover the canals and ponds in order to make a living. Image Credit: AFP

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Copy of 218916-01-02-1593498749536 — The streets may still be unpaved, covered with fine sand and framed by flower-filled gardens. But these days the roar of motor boats drowns out the gentle rippling of oars through the water. Image Credit: AFP

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Copy of 218885-01-02-1593498790207 — He guides them between the swamps pointing out sights such as yellow water lilies and colonies of pelicans. But as he slows his boat to avoid disturbing a shag drying its wings in the sun, even he admits the fall in visitor numbers has "given nature some respite". Image Credit: AFP

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Copy of 218886-01-02-1593498762385 — Marius says the increasing noise and pollution in the Delta are not good for the millions of migratory birds which return from Africa each spring to nest in the islets. Image Credit: AFP

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Copy of 218913-01-02-1593498739663 — As for fish, the other mainstay of the inhabitants' livelihoods, that too is becoming increasingly scarce. Perhaps it's little wonder then that Sfantu Gheorghe is emptying out. Image Credit: AFP

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