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Bulgaria's Pirin Mountains
The Pirin Mountains, Bulgaria ABODE OF THE THUNDER GOD 13th - 27th June Introduction The YRC meet to Bulgaria came about after a chance communication from Lizzie Alderson, who runs Pirin Adventures, a company which provides mountaineering, trekking and walking holidays in the Pirin Mountains of Bulgaria. Further conversations with Lizzie in Leeds and some research on the internet confirmed that it would be a novel and extremely interesting location for an overseas meet, with plenty of scope for a fortnight’s hut-to-hut trekking, taking in ridges and summits as we pleased. Named after Perun, the Thracian god of thunder and lightning, the Pirin Mountains are crystalline and located in southwest Bulgaria within the western part of the Rila-Rhodope massif. The Pirin massif slopes southwards and has a width of 30-35km. The main axis is oriented NW-SE with an approximate length of 70km. The northern part of the range comprises the Pirin National Park of 232 square kilometres, which has UNESCO status. The geology is complex but the mountain ridges are mostly granite. The Koncheto ridge and its continuation over Kutelo and Vihren summits are different and comprise marbleised karst with remains of the granite intrusion and some limestone. Limestone is also present around Mt Orelyak to the east. There are over 180 glacial tarns and lakes in Pirin. The Alpine zone scree and rocks are replaced by sub-alpine meadow-bush areas around 2300m and mountain forest between 1000-2000m. This ecological diversity was enhanced by the rapidly ablating snowfields present in June, providing us with an amazing display of flora and fauna. -
About Bulgaria
Source: Zone Bulgaria (http://en.zonebulgaria.com/) About Bulgaria General Information about Bulgaria Bulgaria is a country in Southeastern Europe and is situated on the Balkan Peninsula. To the north the country borders Rumania, to the east – the Black Sea, to the south – Turkey and Greece, and to the west – Yugoslavia and Macedonia. Bulgaria is a parliamentary republic with a National Assembly (One House Parliament) of 240 national representatives. The President is Head of State. Geography of Bulgaria The Republic of Bulgaria covers a territory of 110 993 square kilometres. The average altitude of the country is 470 metres above sea level. The Stara Planina Mountain occupies central position and serves as a natural dividing line from the west to the east. It is a 750 km long mountain range stretching from the Vrushka Chuka Pass to Cape Emine and is part of the Alpine-Himalayan mountain range. It reaches the Black Sea to the east and turns to the north along the Bulgarian-Yugoslavian border. A natural boundary with Romania is the Danube River, which is navigable all along for cargo and passenger vessels. The Black Sea is the natural eastern border of Bulgaria and its coastline is 378 km long. There are clearly cut bays, the biggest two being those of Varna and Bourgas. About 25% of the coastline are covered with sand and hosts our seaside resorts. The southern part of Bulgaria is mainly mountainous. The highest mountain is Rila with Mt. Moussala being the highest peak on the Balkan Peninsula (2925 m). The second highest and the mountain of most alpine character in Bulgaria is Pirin with its highest Mt. -
Bulgarian Pirin National Park, UNESCO World Heritage Site
Bulgarian Pirin National Park, UNESCO World Heritage Site Pirin National park is an UNESCO world heritage site because the exceptional beauty of the mountain scenery, glacial geomorphology, continuing evolution of flora, and an example of a functioning Balkan uplands ecosystem. The dominant part of the park is high mountain territory over 2,000 m. The diverse limestone mountain landscapes include over 70 glacial lakes and a range of glacial landforms, with many waterfalls, rocky screes and caves. Forests are dominated by conifers. Pirin’s natural coniferous forests include Macedonian Pine and Bosnian Pine, with many old growth trees. Endemic species for the Balkan and the Apenine Peninsula, the Bosnian Pine (Pinus heldreichii) is very special in Bulgaria, its forests are only met in Pirin and Slavyanka Mountains. A special Pirin landmark is a 1,300 years old tree of Bosnian Pine, known as “Baikusheva mura” – believed to be the oldest tree on the Balkan peninsula. The high mountain peaks and crags contrast with meadows, rivers and waterfalls and provide the opportunity to experience the aesthetics of a Balkan mountain landscape. NP Pirin includes a range of endemic and relict species that are representative of the Balkan Pleistocene flora. The park includes also one of the oldest reserves in Bulgaria – Bayuvi Dupki-Dzhindzhiritsa. Pirin National Park has long been subject to tourism pressure, largely caused by the development of ski facilities and ski runs, the main threat being the construction and development of Bansko ski zone on the northern slope of the Park. In 2011 a geodesic investigation of Bansko ski zone by the government proved that the ski zone concessionaire in fact uses a 65% larger area than the concession contract provides for. -
USAID and Sustainable Tourism
ANNEX 2. PROJECT PROFILES 2.A: BULGARIA Project Name: Biodiversity Conservation and Contract Number: LAG-I-00-99-00013-00, Task Economic Growth (BCEG) (Phases I and II) Order 001 Project Duration: 2000 to 2004 Funding Mechanism: IQC - BIOFOR, Biodiversity and Sustainable Forestry Strategic Objective: 183-0410 Special Initiatives Donor Agencies/Partners: • Associates in Rural Development (ARD) • Government of Bulgaria Ministry of Environment and Water • Government of Bulgaria Ministry of Economy • Ministry of Agriculture and Forests • Rila and Central Balkan National Parks • Strandja Nature Park • Foundation for Local Government Reform • Bulgarian Association for Alternative Tourism • Bulgarian Tourism Union • Pirin Tourism Forum • Regional Tourism Association of Stara Planina • Conservation NGO’s s.a. Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds • US Agency for International Development • United Nations Development Program • Regional Environmental Center for Central and Eastern Europe • World Bank/Global Environment Facility CONTEXT Bulgaria has a rich history and a unique and internationally significant nature and culture; conservation and cultural identity are particularly strong in rural areas. The country, which is positioned at a crossroads between Europe and Asia, contains nine World Heritage sites, and has rich cultural, historical, and religious resources reaching back from the ancient Greeks and beyond medieval times. It contains mountain ski resorts, beaches with sun and sand (the self-named “sun-and-sand-stalag”), and many “wild” and undeveloped rural areas for adventure seekers. These resources provide a strong base for tourism in Bulgaria. In the mid-1990s, while many sectors of the Bulgarian economy were registering losses, statistics reported by the National Statistic Institute and Ministry of Finance show the tourism sector was steadily generating positive financial results. -
A Global Overview of Protected Areas on the World Heritage List of Particular Importance for Biodiversity
A GLOBAL OVERVIEW OF PROTECTED AREAS ON THE WORLD HERITAGE LIST OF PARTICULAR IMPORTANCE FOR BIODIVERSITY A contribution to the Global Theme Study of World Heritage Natural Sites Text and Tables compiled by Gemma Smith and Janina Jakubowska Maps compiled by Ian May UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre Cambridge, UK November 2000 Disclaimer: The contents of this report and associated maps do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of UNEP-WCMC or contributory organisations. The designations employed and the presentations do not imply the expressions of any opinion whatsoever on the part of UNEP-WCMC or contributory organisations concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or its authority, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY INTRODUCTION 1.0 OVERVIEW......................................................................................................................................................1 2.0 ISSUES TO CONSIDER....................................................................................................................................1 3.0 WHAT IS BIODIVERSITY?..............................................................................................................................2 4.0 ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGY......................................................................................................................3 5.0 CURRENT WORLD HERITAGE SITES............................................................................................................4 -
Pandion Wild Tours
PANDION Wild Tours & Pelican Birding Lodge WILDLIFE HOLIDAYS IN BULGARIA, GREECE AND ROMANIA 2017 TOUR CALENDAR CONTENT Dear wildlife lovers, PANDION Wild Tours we will be really happy to take you on BIRDING TOURS a virtual journey to Bulgaria using as st th a vehicle this catalogue of ours. 21 – 29 Jan. 2017 Winter tour in Bulgaria..................2 Our tour agency, “Pandion Wild Tours”, 21 st April – 2nd May 2017 Spring birding tour has endeavoured for already 23 years to welcome Bulgaria and Greece.......................5 nature lovers from almost all European countries, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, USA, Canada 26th May – 4th June 2017 Spring Birding in Bulgaria............8 and Japan. We are the oldest and most experienced 27th May – 3th June 2017 Wallcreeper & company for wildlife touring in Bulgaria. Vultures – Bulgaria.......................11 Bulgaria is a little country but there is no other like it in Europe: with such a great biodiversity within its small area! More than 250 en- 2nd – 9th Sept. 2017 Autumn Birding in Bulgaria........13 demic species of plants exist in Bulgaria along with many more rare and beautiful European ones. A very rich bird fauna, with some of the BUTTERFLY TOURS rarest representatives of European birds. In autumn, during migration, 10th – 18th June 2017 June Butterfly tour – Bulgaria.....15 you may enjoy really unforgettable sights watching scores of thousands th th of migrating large birds of prey, storks and pelicans, hundreds of thou- 8 – 15 July 2017 July Butterfly tour – Bulgaria......18 sands of smaller migratory birds. And all of them following for millennia BOTANICAL TOURS one and the same route called from ancient times Via Pontica flyway. -
Rila Monastery Nature Park Management Plan 2004-2013
The Minister of the Environment and Waters D. Arsenova Rila Monastery Nature Park Management Plan 2004-2013 DRAFT Adopted by Decision # ххх of the Council of Ministers dated хх.хх, 2004 Presented by ARD/BCEGP in fulfillment of Terms of Reference commissioned by the Ministry of the Environment and Waters, # хх-хх-хххх, March 2001 The drafting and publication of this Management Plan was made possible through the generous support of the Environment, Energy and Social Transition Department of the Europe and Eurasia Desk of the United States Agency for International Development, pursuant to Contract # LAG-I-00-99-00013-00. All opinions expressed herein are solely at the authors’ discretion and do not necessarily reflect the position of the United States Agency for International Development. February, 2004 Team of Authors The Core Planning Team which drafted the present Management Plan for Rila Monastery Nature Park comprises the following members: Dr. Petar Yankov D.Sc. (ecology/zoology), Dr. Dimitar Peev D.Sc. (ecology/botany), Eng. Ventsisval Velichkov (forest engineer), Mrs. Snezhana Kostadinova (sociologist), as well as the members of the Coordinating Team of the BCEG Project, as follows: Dr. Peter Hetz (team leader), Dimitrina Boteva, MSc. (biodiversity expert) and Gergana Pavlova (administrative support). The Extended Planning Team comprises the following members: Eng. Mihail Mihailov, Director of Rila Monastery Nature Park; Ms. Nikolina Georgieva, biodiversity expert with the Directorate Rila Monastery NP, Eng. Vassil Petrov, acting Director of Rila NP, His Eminence Gabriel, Metropolitan Bishop of Lovech, representative of the Holy Synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church; the Most Reverend Bishop John, Abbot of Rila Monastery, Eng. -
Get Brochure
DISCOVER THE BULGARIA MACEDONIA KOSOVO EAST! ALBANIA GREECE ROMANIA TURKEY GEORGIA RUSSIA with Top Guides Ltd, Bulgaria www.bulguides.com [email protected] The Classic Pirin and Rila Walking Trip Pirin&Rila Ranges, Bulgaria Overview 8 days/7 nights This is a must do 8-day walking ⛰2925m � 4-8hrs ↝7-14km route that covers the best of the ↑650-1150m ↓650-1000m mountains of Bulgaria and is designed for keen walkers who like Cost for 2 pax: 550EUR/person to spend 5 to 8h/day up the Transfers included: Yes√ mountains, 6 days in a row. The day Luggage Transport: Yes√ treks are strenuous, but totally doable for active people in average Bed&Meals: Yes√ fitness condition. The terrain is Accommodation: Family hotels sometimes rocky and demanding, but the routes entirely follow marked Best season: July to and established tourist hiking September trails within the Rila and Pirin national parks. The route covers the peaks of Polezan and Vihren in the Pirin Mountains, as well as numerous glacial lakes in the area – Todorini, Vasilashki, Bunderishki, Bezbog. Further you`ll visit Rila with the peaks of Musala (the highest on the Balkans) with Musalenski Lakes and Malyovitsa with the Dear`s Lake – both the highest and the most beautiful in the Rila Mountains. A cultural and rest day in the middle of the itinerary includes a visit to the world famous Rila Monastery. Transfers and luggage transfers are provided everyday and hiking is with a day pack only. The accommodation is in family type hotels – 4 nights in Bansko – a small town, located between the main mountain ranges of Bulgaria, and 3 nights in Govedartsi village, Rila. -
EU Infringements to Bulgaria, Can We Call It a Success Story? Bankia, 06.December.2011
EU infringements to Bulgaria, can we call it a success story? Bankia, 06.December.2011 Alexander Dountchev, APB Threats to Natura 2000 Illegal practices in the Bulgarian Natura 2000 Kaliakra IBA № 2007/4850 – Infringement procedure concerning the reduction of the designation area of 6 SPAs (Kaliakra, Rila, Pirin, etc). - Legal grounds for complaint: Art. 4 (1) of the Habitats Directive (designation of sites); - Scientific facts for complaint: Inventory of the Important Bird Areas in Bulgaria (2006) - Unofficial reasons for the ungrounded reduction of the designation area: Economical reasons (ski-resort projects, wind-farm projects); - Results of the infringement procedure: 5 out of 6 sites are designated, - Experience: You need top scientific research 460 investment projects 22.8% of the IBA area 42% of the SPA area Illegal practices in the Bulgarian Natura 2000 Kaliakra pSCI/SPA 2007 New development plan adopted without published SEA Illegal practices in the Bulgarian Natura 2000 KaliakraStrandja pSCI/SPA pSCI/SAP 2008 New development plan adopted without published SEA Illegal practices in the Bulgarian Natura 2000 № 2008/4260 – Infringement procedure concerning the destruction of Kaliakra IBA (Via Pontica) after 1.1.2007 as result of the illegal authorization of wind-farm projects before 1.1.2007 •Legal grounds for complaint: Art 4 (4) of the Birds Directive and Art. 6 (2) of the Habitats Directive (Kaliakra SPA was still not designated when the projects were authorized). •Evidences: Inventory of the Important Bird Areas in Bulgaria (official publication 2006), GIS-analysis, EIA documents and building permits for the wind-farms and other projects, complaints to the court, etc. -
Conservation and Restoration of Forest Habitats in 10 Natura 2000 Sites in Bulgaria PDF 13.15 MB
Project LIFE08 NAT/BG/000281 CONSERVATION AND RESTORATION OF FOREST HABITATS IN 10 NATURA 2000 SITES Conservation and Restoration of 11 Natura 2000 Riparian and Wetland Habitats in 10 SCI’s in Bulgarian Forests © Katerina Rakovska / WWF 1 PROJECT DATA PROJECT LIFE08 NAT/BG/000281 Conservation and Restoration of 11 Natura 2000 Riparian and Wetland Habitats in 10 SCI’s in Bulgarian Forests, LIFE08 NAT/BG/000281 www.wwf.bg/what_we_do/protected_areas/10parks/news CO-FUNDING: LIFE + Programme (EC financial instrument for the environment). DURATION: January 2010 - June 2014 PROJECT BUDGET: 1 236 834 €, of which 615 199 € EC co-funding PARTNERS: Executive Forestry Agency (EFA), WWF, 10 Nature Park Directorates: Bulgarka, Vitosha, Vrachanski Balkan, Zlatni Pyasatsi, Persina, Rilski Manastir, Rusenski Lom, Sinite Kamani, Strandhza, Shumensko Plato, Sofia Forest Seed-Control Station and Pazardzhik Poplar Station. 2 PROJECT GOALS The project goal was to local trees and shrubs. improve the conservation status Habitat quality improvement was of 10 Sites of Community planned through restoration of Importance (Natura 2000 sites) rare plant species characteristic managed by the Executive of the target habitats. Forestry Agency (EFA) through conservation and restoration of Bulgaria has limited experience 11 riparian and wetland habitats in management and restoration in forests. The total area of target of riverine and wetland habitats. habitats conserved or restored is The current project was an 21 000 ha. The intention was to opportunity to gain experience achieve the conservation of target and share the lessons learnt habitats through placement of through distribution of good specialised infrastructure (fences, practices for conservation and wooden grates, bridges, tourist restoration of habitats in sites spots) in order to restrict human managed by the EFA, which can impact (access of people and be used in other Natura 2000 vehicles). -
Peace in Palestine Via the World Heritage Convention
. Michael K. Madison II. Peace in Palestine ..........through World Heritage Promoting Peace via Global Conventions - 1 - Peace in Palestine via the World Heritage Convention Promoting Peace via Global Conventions The Global Problem "Throughout history, religious differences have divided men and women from their neighbors and have served as justification for some of humankind's bloodiest conflicts. In the modern world, it has become clear that people of all religions must bridge these differences and work together, to ensure our survival and realize the vision of peace that all faiths share." -- H.R.H. Prince El-Hassan bin Talal, Jordan Moderator, WCRP Governing Board Tolerance, Economic Growth and Fear Global peace and harmony is not possible without religious tolerance. Unfortunately, there is no instant microwavable solution. We can’t just add water and/or milk to the current situation and hope that the world will ameliorate itself overnight. No. The world needs help. The problem is not the outliers; it is larger groups of people that need to change. Outliers will always be present. The world needs religious-minded policymakers to take giant steps that lead to peace, but in a mutually beneficial way. Indeed, peace for peace’s sake is not always enough incentive to all parties involved. Therefore, if the conflict cannot be resolved by tolerance, then let it be resolved by greed as we find a way to help the countries involved to achieve a better economic position. If the conflict cannot be resolved by boosting the corresponding economies, then let it be resolved by fear as we convince the nations involved that one false move means it will be - 2 - their country against the rest of the world and not just their “enemy of the day”. -
Reactive Monitoring Mission to Pirin National Park, Bulgaria, 10Th To
World Heritage 36 COM Patrimoine mondial Distribution limited / limitée Paris, 15 June / 15 Juin 2012 Original: English UNITED NATIONS EDUCATIONAL, SCIENTIFIC AND CULTURAL ORGANIZATION ORGANISATION DES NATIONS UNIES POUR L'EDUCATION, LA SCIENCE ET LA CULTURE CONVENTION CONCERNING THE PROTECTION OF THE WORLD CULTURAL AND NATURAL HERITAGE CONVENTION CONCERNANT LA PROTECTION DU PATRIMOINE MONDIAL, CULTUREL ET NATUREL WORLD HERITAGE COMMITTEE / COMITE DU PATRIMOINE MONDIAL Thirty-sixth session / Trente-sixième session Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation / Saint Pétersbourg, Fédération de Russie 24 June – 6 July 2012 / 24 juin – 6 juillet 2012 Item 7 of the Provisional Agenda: State of conservation of properties inscribed on the World Heritage List and/or on the List of World Heritage in Danger. Point 7 de l’Ordre du jour provisoire: Etat de conservation de biens inscrits sur la Liste du patrimoine mondial et/ou sur la Liste du patrimoine mondial en péril MISSION REPORT / RAPPORT DE MISSION Pirin National Park (Bulgaria) (225bis) Parc national de Pirin (Bulgarie) (225bis) 10-14 October 2011 10-14 Octobre 2011 This mission report should be read in conjunction with Document: Ce rapport de mission doit être lu conjointement avec le document suivant: WHC-12/36.COM/7B UNESCO World Heritage Centre - IUCN MISSION REPORT Reactive Monitoring Mission to Pirin National Park, Bulgaria 10th to 14th October 2011 Stig Johansson (IUCN) Kishore Rao (UNESCO World Heritage Centre) November 2011 All photographs © Stig Johansson. 1 Acknowledgements The mission team would like to thank the Government of Bulgaria for its kind invitation, hospitality and assistance throughout the duration of the mission. The team is particularly grateful for the oppor- tunity to discuss with the Minister of Environment and Water, Mrs.