Biodiversity Conservation & Economic Growth (BCEG) Project Non-Timber Natural Resources and National Parks -A Model for Economic Growth and Resource Conservation- Prepared for: Bulgaria Biodiversity Conservation and Economic Growth Project The Project is a collaborative initiative between the United States Agency for International Development and the Government of the Republic of Bulgaria implemented by Associates in Rural Development, Inc. Project Number LAG-I-00-99-00013-00 January 2002 Bulgaria Biodiversity Conservation & Economic Growth Project Table of Contents Table of Contents iii Acronyms and Abbreviations vii Preface ix Executive Summary xi Dedication and Acknowledgments xv Organization of the Report xvi PART 1. Situation Analysis of the Status of NTNRs and Bulgarian National Parks – Opportunities for Collaborative Management Summary 1 Introduction 5 i. Background 5 ii. Brief History of the Use of Non-Timber Natural Resources in Bulgaria 6 1. Non-Timber Natural Resources in the National Context 9 1.1. Legal Framework 10 1.1.1. Laws and Regulations 10 1.1.2. NTNR Management and Control Functions 13 1.1.3. Permits and Licenses 16 1.2. The National Experience in the Cultivation of Medicinal Plants 19 1.3. National Association of Consumers, Buyers and Exporters of Non- Timber Natural Resources 20 1.4. Supply Chain Characteristics of Non-Timber Natural Resources 21 1.5. NTNRs in the Context of Central Balkan and Rila National Parks 27 2. NTNR Pilot Program 33 2.1. Background 33 2.2. What is Collaborative Management of Non-Timber Natural Resources? 33 2.3. Description of the National Park NTNR Pilot Program 34 3. Profile and Situation Analysis for NTNR Pilot Program Areas in Rila and Central Balkan National Parks 37 3.1. Rila National Park – Belitsa and Yakoruda Park Sections 37 3.1.1. Rila National Park Management Plan 37 3.1.2. Human Demographics 37 3.1.3. Patterns of Resource Use and Resource Dependence 39 Non-Timber Natural Resources and National Parks iii Bulgaria Biodiversity Conservation & Economic Growth Project 3.1.4. Commercial Use Trends 39 3.1.5. Local Supply Chain Dynamics 40 3.1.6. Vaccinium Species 43 3.1.7. Cultivation of Non-Timber Natural Resources in the Pilot Regions 44 3.2. Central Balkan National Park – Klisura Park Section 45 3.2.1. Central Balkan National Park Management Plan 45 3.2.2. Human Demographics 45 3.2.3. Patterns of Resource Use and Resource Dependence 46 3.2.4. Commercial Use Trends 47 3.2.5. Local Supply Chain Dynamics 49 3.2.6. Vaccinium Species 52 3.2.7. Cultivation of Non-Timber Natural Resources (Medicinal Plants) in the Pilot Region 52 4. Threats and Constraints 55 4.1. Improper Collection 55 4.2. Premature Collection 55 4.3. Collection in Reserves or Prohibited Zones 56 4.4. Collection of Species Protected by Law 56 4.5. Imperfect Legislation 57 4.6. Differentiation Between Personal and Commercial Use 58 4.7. Costs of Present Permit System 59 4.8. Degradation of the Habitats 59 5. Conclusion 61 PART 2. Vaccinium spp. Resources Assessment in the Pilot Areas Summary 1 Introduction 3 i. Context 3 ii. Objectives of the Vaccinium spp. Resources Assessment 6 iii. Materials and Methodology 6 iv. Time Schedule of the Resource Assessment, Studied Territories and Participants 7 1. Resource Assessment Results 9 1.1. Exploitable Resources Assessment of the Economically Important Localities 9 1.2. General Assessment of the Existing Threats and Human Impact 11 1.3. General Assessment of the Condition of the Vaccinium spp. Populations 11 1.4. General Assessment of the Vaccinium spp. Populations as an Economic Resource 12 1.5. Analysis on the Content of Heavy Metals 13 Non-Timber Natural Resources and National Parks iv Bulgaria Biodiversity Conservation & Economic Growth Project 2. General Information About Vaccinium spp. 15 2.1. Ecological Characteristics and Management Practice 15 2.2. Dependence of the Wild Animals on Vaccinium Plants 16 3. Conclusions and Recommendations 19 3.1. Vaccinium spp. Resources Management and Monitoring 19 3.2. Role and Responsibility of the Interested Parties (MoEW/NPD, fruit collectors, BAS, etc.) in the Management of NTNRs in the National Parks 20 PART 3. Economic Growth and Management Options Summary 1 Introduction 3 i. Background 3 ii. Context 4 iii. Supply Chain 4 1. Economic Development Interventions 7 1.1. Stabilize Access to and Productivity of NTNRs 8 1.1.1. Collection Permits 8 1.1.2. Key Elements of a Permit System 9 1.1.3. Roles and Responsibilities 11 1.2. Organic Certification as a Tool for Increasing or “Adding” Value to Local NTNR Harvests 14 1.2.1. Background 14 1.2.2. Organic Certification Process 14 1.2.3. Requirements 15 1.2.4. Procedures 16 1.2.5. Cost 16 1.2.6. Next Steps 16 1.3. Cooperatives/Associations of Local Collectors/Buyers 17 1.4. Engage in Small and Medium Enterprise Development 18 1.5. Contracts for Commercial Harvesting 20 2. Recommendations 25 Non-Timber Natural Resources and National Parks v Bulgaria Biodiversity Conservation & Economic Growth Project Appendices Appendix 1-A Bibliography, Part 1 Appendix 1-B Characteristics of Non-Timber Natural Resources in Rila and Central Balkan National Parks Appendix 1-C Co-Management of Natural Resources Appendix 1-D List of Companies Dealing with Export of Herbs Appendix 2-A Bibliography, Part 2 Appendix 2-B Development of Maps for Vaccinium spp. Resource Assessment - Application of Geographic Information System (GIS) Appendix 3-A Organic Certification Contact Information Appendix 3-B Case Study of the Maya Biosphere Reserve Appendix 3-C Sample Commercial Commission Contract Appendix 3-D Sources of Information Gathered between 31 July – 8 August 2001, by International Consultant Jared Hardner Non-Timber Natural Resources and National Parks vi Bulgaria Biodiversity Conservation & Economic Growth Project Acronyms and Abbreviations ARD Associates in Rural Development, Inc. BAHMC Bulgarian Association of Herb and Mushroom Collectors BAS Bulgarian Academy of Sciences BCEG Biodiversity Conservation and Economic Growth Project BSBCP Bulgarian-Swiss Biodiversity Conservation Program CCU Central Cooperative Union CITES Convention on International Trade with Endangered Species CoM Council of Ministers DCU District Cooperative Union EU European Union GDP Gross Domestic Product GEF Global Environment Facility (note the acronym “GEF” is also generically in Bulgaria for the USAID/GEF Biodiversity project) GIS Geographic Information System GoB Government of Bulgaria IFOAM International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements IUCN World Conservation Union MBR Maya Biosphere Reserve MoAF Ministry of Agriculture and Forests MoEW Ministry of Environment and Waters MoU Memorandum of Understanding MPA Medicinal Plant Act MUZ Multiple-Use Zone NFB National Forestry Board NGO Non-Governmental Organization NNPS National Nature Protection Service (of MoEW) NP National Park Non-Timber Natural Resources and National Parks vii Bulgaria Biodiversity Conservation & Economic Growth Project NPD National Park Department NTNR Non-Timber Natural Resources PAA Protected Areas Act PMU Project Management Unit PS Park Section RDB Red Data Book RIEW Regional Inspectorate of Environment and Waters SME Small and Medium Enterprises USAID United States Agency for International Development USSR Union of the Soviet Socialist Republics VAT Value-Added Tax (sales tax) Non-Timber Natural Resources and National Parks viii Bulgaria Biodiversity Conservation & Economic Growth Project Preface The Biodiversity Conservation and Economic Growth (BCEG) Project is funded by the United States Agency for International Development, (USAID), as part of its strategic support to the Republic of Bulgaria. The Project is sponsored by USAID in conjunction with the Government of Bulgaria – the Ministry of Environment and Waters (MoEW). The Project is governed by a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two governments, and its implementation covers the period: May 2000 – October 2002. This Project is a logical evolution of earlier USAID assistance to biodiversity conservation in the country. It follows some 10 years of assessment, technical assistance and financing of Bulgaria’s biodiversity conservation strategic development, new protected areas legislation, and new national park institutions. The Project is designed to capitalize on the achievements of the Bulgaria Global Environmental Facility (GEF) Biodiversity Project (implemented during the period June 1995-April 2000), and builds on lessons learned. The BCEG Project addresses six specific contract themes known as tasks or “contract result packages”. The BCEG Project includes the finalization and implementation of two national park management plans, and the development of a new management plan for Rila Monastery Nature Park. It assists in the development of financial mechanisms and strategies to ensure the solvency of national parks. The Project pilots economic growth activities with select target communities around two Bulgarian national parks. And it continues to build on the principles of strong public information and awareness as stepping stones for informed public engagement and promotion of biodiversity conservation and protected area management activities. This Project is issued as a Task Order 01 (Contract Number LAG-I-00-99-00013-00) under the USAID Global Biodiversity and Forestry Indefinite Quantities Contract; and is implemented on behalf of USAID by Associates in Rural Development, (ARD) Inc., of Burlington, Vermont, USA. The Project is implemented through a Project Management