Wild nature is not just scenery or tourist appeal. It underpins human health, economic resilience, cultural continuity and the ecological balance of the planet.
The 2026 theme of World Wildlife Day – “Medicinal and aromatic plants: sustaining health, cultural heritage and livelihoods” – highlights species that have long supported traditional medicine and remain essential today in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and the food sector.
Why it matters:
- 70-95% of people in developing countries rely on traditional medicine as primary care;
- 50-70 thousand species of medicinal and aromatic plants are used globally each year;
- around 1500 species are listed under CITES;
- more than 20% are at risk of extinction.
At the same time, these plants:
- support biodiversity;
- provide resources for pollinators;
- stabilise soils and reduce erosion;
- form part of intangible cultural heritage.
The Ukrainian Carpathians are rich in naturally occurring medicinal plants, including St. John’s wort, thyme, chamomile, coltsfoot, Iceland moss, rosehip, elder, yarrow, mint, oregano and mountain arnica.
Several species are protected under the Red Book of Ukraine:
- mountain arnica;
- Rhodiola rosea;
- yellow gentian;
- edelweiss;
- belladonna.
Their collection in the wild is prohibited. Key threats include overharvesting, deforestation, urbanisation, climate change and illegal trade.
For mountain regions, protecting wildlife is a practical responsibility. Bukovel integrates biodiversity conservation into its sustainability framework through:
- maintaining an inventory of protected species within its operational area;
- monitoring and controlling invasive plants;
- applying landscaping policies based on native species;
- limiting activity in ecologically sensitive zones;
- educating guests on responsible interaction with mountain ecosystems.
In line with the 2026 focus, raising awareness about responsible foraging, the protection of rare species and the preservation of natural habitats is particularly important.
This approach also supports climate adaptation: resilient ecosystems help reduce the impact of extreme weather, landslides and landscape degradation.
Wild nature is not a luxury. It is:
- human health;
- local economies;
- cultural continuity;
- the future of tourism destinations.
World Wildlife Day invites a reassessment of management decisions, tourism practices and everyday behaviour. For the Carpathians and Bukovel, it reinforces a clear principle: sustainable development is not possible without respect for nature – the region’s key resource and long-term value.