Skiing in Pirin National Park

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Skiing in Pirin National Park Skiing in April 18 Pirin National 2013 Park Thijs Haverkamp, Frans de Heij & Koen Mulder Expert: Prem Bindraban Tutor: Yrrah Stol Abstract: This paper tries to identify what type of governance could resolve the conflict that appears to be existing between a pristine ecosystem and the potential profits of expansion of ski-areas of Bansko into the Pirin National Park in Bulgaria. Facets of this problem are researched upon with theories and methods from different disciplines. Results are integrated in an overarching framework method inspired by the Actor Network Theory of Bruno Latour. Relevant actors, such as the government, tourists and the ecosystem itself are identified, as well as their program (what they would like to happen) and anti- program (what they do not want) about the use of the area. Based on these (anti-) programs the actors are given values for their power and desire in four different scenarios: maintaining the current state, full expansion, ecotourism expansion and cooperative expansion. Power being a value to represent in relation to the other actors how much power the actor possesses. Desire being a value which represent how much of this power the actor will use in their favour. Power times Desire gives an identification for the driving force of an actor. Putting these values in the four different scenarios there was found that maintaining the current state creates a large conflict and that full expansion suits the strongest actors. The method used in this paper enables to file a conflict. By influencing the program and anti-program and thereby the actors values appearing conflicts can be solved. Contents 1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................... 2 2 Methodology .............................................................................................................................................. 5 2.1 Actor Network Theory and implementation ....................................................................................... 5 2.2 Power and desirability valuation ........................................................................................................ 5 2.4 Scenarios ............................................................................................................................................. 5 3 Results ........................................................................................................................................................ 7 3.1 Actor description ................................................................................................................................. 7 The Ecosystem ...................................................................................................................................... 7 Natura 2000 .......................................................................................................................................... 8 Bulgarian Government .......................................................................................................................... 9 Bansko Government ........................................................................................................................... 11 Developers (Yulen and Vitosha Ski) .................................................................................................... 11 ENGOs ................................................................................................................................................. 11 UNESCO ............................................................................................................................................... 12 Ecotourism .......................................................................................................................................... 12 Winter tourism .................................................................................................................................... 13 Locals ................................................................................................................................................... 13 3.2 Interactions between actors ............................................................................................................. 13 3.3 Tables & Description ......................................................................................................................... 16 3.4 Outcomes table ................................................................................................................................. 19 4 Conclusion ................................................................................................................................................ 21 5 Discussion ................................................................................................................................................. 23 Bibliography ................................................................................................................................................ 24 Appendix A .................................................................................................................................................. 26 Appendix B .................................................................................................................................................. 28 Appendix C .................................................................................................................................................. 29 Appendix D .................................................................................................................................................. 30 1 1 Introduction “A nature reserve containing unique biodiversity and spectacular formations” (UNESCO, 2013). The Pirin National Park lies in the southwest of Bulgaria and covers most of the Pirin Mountains, with an area of about 400 km2. The park was included on the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1983 for its unique plant and animal species, mainly because of the great relief diversity and its unique location. Additionally, the area is part of the Natura 2000 network of protected ecosystems (Wikipedia, 2013). Next to the Pirin Figure 1- Map of Pirin National Park and location of the park in Bulgaria. National Park lies a village with about 8500 inhabitants, called Bansko. The town Bansko is famous by tourists for its ski area during the winter season, and for the numbers of mountain forests and lakes in the region. The ski area contains about 60 kilometres of ski runs in the area in 2012, but plans are currently being set by the regional government to increase these runs to 200 kilometres (Dimitrova, 2011). A conflict between a pristine ecosystem and potential profits from ski activities in the park appears to be arising. Until now, the state plan for the management of the Pirin National Park forbids implementation of sports and urbanization projects in the park, but this plan expires at the end of 2013. Moreover, on 19 February 2013 the Ecological Council of the Ministry of Environment and Water (MoEW) approved an amendment to the Management Plan of the Pirin National Park so that the construction of new ski infrastructure and other associated activities in the park are no longer illegal (WWF Global, 2013). The expansion of the ski slopes is encouraged, not only by the great economic potential for the government and local livelihood, but also by the high level of unemployment in the region due to the economic crisis (Dimitrova, 2011). However, UNESCO and environmentalists are warning that the plans will result in degradation of the ecosystem, and will yield negative effects on the long-term economic interests of local people in the area. They are promoting ecotourism as a more sustainable alternative for the area (Dimitrova, 2011). 2 This study tries to make a problem analysis of the current situation, and proposes a method to come to a type of governance for Bansko and the Pirin National Park, that is sustainable, in a way that it takes into account long-term effects for both local inhabitants as well as the ecosystem. The conflict between the pristine Pirin ecosystem and the potential benefits from winter tourism in the park for the local livelihood is point of departure. Therefore, the following research question is proposed: What type of governance can resolve the conflict that appears to be existing between a pristine ecosystem and the potential profits of expansion of ski-areas of Bansko into the Pirin National Park, Bulgaria? As many different sort of actors are involved in the conflict, such as the Bulgarian and local government of Bansko, but also the local livelihood and NGO’s, theories from different disciplines have to be used and combined to give insight in the problem. Theories from ecology, such as resilience and habitat fragmentation are important to understand the ecological effects of ski slope creation on the National Park. Theories from the economic discipline are required to understand the financial dependence, growth, development and potential benefits of ski slope expansion. Also understanding of tourism is vital, and tourism is often argued to require a non-disciplinary approach (Echtnet, 1997). Finally, to understand how the governments take their positions and what their drivers are, knowledge from political science is of significant importance. Thus, as many different theories and disciplines give
Recommended publications
  • 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.
    [Show full text]
  • 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.
    [Show full text]
  • 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.
    [Show full text]
  • The Slugs of Bulgaria (Arionidae, Milacidae, Agriolimacidae
    POLSKA AKADEMIA NAUK INSTYTUT ZOOLOGII ANNALES ZOOLOGICI Tom 37 Warszawa, 20 X 1983 Nr 3 A n d rzej W ik t o r The slugs of Bulgaria (A rionidae , M ilacidae, Limacidae, Agriolimacidae — G astropoda , Stylommatophora) [With 118 text-figures and 31 maps] Abstract. All previously known Bulgarian slugs from the Arionidae, Milacidae, Limacidae and Agriolimacidae families have been discussed in this paper. It is based on many years of individual field research, examination of all accessible private and museum collections as well as on critical analysis of the published data. The taxa from families to species are sup­ plied with synonymy, descriptions of external morphology, anatomy, bionomics, distribution and all records from Bulgaria. It also includes the original key to all species. The illustrative material comprises 118 drawings, including 116 made by the author, and maps of localities on UTM grid. The occurrence of 37 slug species was ascertained, including 1 species (Tandonia pirinia- na) which is quite new for scientists. The occurrence of other 4 species known from publications could not bo established. Basing on the variety of slug fauna two zoogeographical limits were indicated. One separating the Stara Pianina Mountains from south-western massifs (Pirin, Rila, Rodopi, Vitosha. Mountains), the other running across the range of Stara Pianina in the^area of Shipka pass. INTRODUCTION Like other Balkan countries, Bulgaria is an area of Palearctic especially interesting in respect to malacofauna. So far little investigation has been carried out on molluscs of that country and very few papers on slugs (mostly contributions) were published. The papers by B a b o r (1898) and J u r in ić (1906) are the oldest ones.
    [Show full text]
  • 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
    [Show full text]
  • The Interview with Dimitar Popov
    „Many politicians in Bulgaria still act upon the maxim: The more concrete tourist blocks, the better!“ Interview with Dimitar Popov of Green Balkans about the difficult nature conservation work in Bulgaria. Dimitar Popov has studied economics in Plovdiv. Since 7 years, he works for Green Balkans, one of the largest nature conservation organisations on the Balkans with over 4.000 members. Within the scope of the project “NatuRegio – trai- nees for nature”, which is co-financed by EuroNatur, this year he has spent several weeks in two different German nature conservation institutions: in spring, in the stork village of Rühstädt in the biosphere reservation embedded in the fluvial landscape of the river Elbe in Brandenburg, and in summer, five weeks in the main office of EuroNatur in Radolfzell. There, they talked about his work, the situation of nature conservation in Bulgaria and his experience in Germany. Photo: Gunther Willinger EuroNatur: How does Green Balkans work? its success, we were then granted a GEF project for conservation of biodiversity, restoration of habitat and the development of Dimitar Popov: Green Balkans works for nature conservation in sustainable tourism in this region, financed by the World Bank. Bulgaria on many different levels. Supported by many volun- Unfortunately, in our efforts to implement this project we are teers, we organise direct protective measures of species such wasting much energy in struggling with local politicians who as the Eastern Imperial Eagle, vultures, storks or terns. Our would rather build more giant tourist blocks. However, in the full-time staff has been significantly involved in elaborating meantime the area has obtained Natura 2000 and Ramsar the Natura 2000 area list in the run-up to the EU-accession, status, which makes it somewhat easier for us.
    [Show full text]
  • 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.
    [Show full text]
  • 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.
    [Show full text]
  • New and Unpublished Data About Bulgarian Ground Beetles from the Tribes Pterostichini, Sphodrini, and Platynini (Coleoptera, Carabidae)
    Acta Biologica Sibirica 7: 125–141 (2021) doi: 10.3897/abs.7.e67015 https://abs.pensoft.net RESEARCH ARTICLE New and unpublished data about Bulgarian ground beetles from the tribes Pterostichini, Sphodrini, and Platynini (Coleoptera, Carabidae) Teodora Teofilova1 1 Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 1 Tsar Osvoboditel Blvd., 1000, Sofia, Bulgaria. Corresponding author: Teodora Teofilova ([email protected]) Academic editor: R. Yakovlev | Received 6 April 2021 | Accepted 22 April 2021 | Published 20 May 2021 http://zoobank.org/53E9E1F4-2338-494C-870D-F3DA4AA4360B Citation: Teofilova T (2021) New and unpublished data about Bulgarian ground beetles from the tribes Pterostichini, Sphodrini, and Platynini (Coleoptera, Carabidae). Acta Biologica Sibirica 7: 125–141. https://doi. org/10.3897/abs.7.e67015 Abstract Bulgarian ground beetle (Coleoptera, Carabidae) fauna is relatively well studied but there are still many species and regions in the country which are not well researched. The present study aims at complementing the data about the distribution of the carabids from the tribes Pterostichini, Spho- drini, and Platynini, containing many diverse, interesting, and endemic species. It gives new records for 67 species and 23 zoogeographical regions in Bulgaria. The material was collected in the period from 1926 to 2021 through different sampling methods. Twenty-three species are recorded for the first time in different regions. Six species are reported for the second time in the regions where they were currently collected. Thirty-one species have not been reported for more than 20 years in Eastern and Middle Stara Planina Mts., Kraishte region, Boboshevo-Simitli valley, Sandanski-Petrich valley, Lyulin Mts., Vitosha Mts., Rila Mts., Pirin Mts., Slavyanka Mts., Thracian Lowland, and Sakar-Tundzha re- gion.
    [Show full text]
  • Public Money Misuse Pirin NP and Vitosha PP Case Study
    Асоциация на парковете в България [email protected] +359 887820870 www.parks.bg www.ekoarhiv.bg CASE STUDY “The Management Plans of Vitosha and Pirin: EU money is used for destruction of valuable biodiversity within protected areas.” Summary: The Association of Parks in Bulgaria (APB) identifies data evidencing misuse of EU funds (projects DIR-5113325-3-91 „Sustainable management of Pirin National Park and Tisata Reserve” and DIR-5113326-4-98 „Activities for Sustainable Management of Vitosha Nature Park “, financed under OP Environment 2007-2013) and loss of biodiversity expected as an outcome of EU-funded projects’ activities. Within APB’s work on analyzing the proposed updates to the Management plans of Pirin National Parks and Vitosha Nature Park, we have identified potential great loss of biodiversity in two Bulgarian protected areas that will probably be caused by usage of EU money from OP Environment 2007 – 2013 . The Ministry of Environment and Waters (MOEW) has provided the Directorates of both the parks Pirin and Vitosha with significant amount of funds from OP Environment to boost their work: • The approved budget for the project DIR-5113325-3-91 „Sustainable management of Pirin National Park and Tisata Reserve” is 19 791 600,00 BGN (10 119 284,40 EUR) • The approved budget for the project DIR-5113326-4-98 „Activities for Sustainable Management of Vitosha Nature Park” is 5 240 300,00 BGN (2 679 322,85 EUR) Among different activities envisaged, both projects include preparation of updated Management plans of the parks. The problem is that although the plans are not finished and officially adopted, the beneficiaries (Parks’ Directorates) already paid almost 100% of the money to the company hired to develop the plans.
    [Show full text]
  • 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).
    [Show full text]
  • 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.
    [Show full text]