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. Five years after this fact, the governmental institutions revealed that no consequences were draw for the developers. A significant part of the existing facilities in the ski zone is illegal (5 ski runs, 4 ski lifts, reservoir for artificial snow, biathlon shooting range and other smaller supporting infrastructure), again resulting in no consequence for the offshore company operating the zone. Translation of legend: In dark blue - the concession territory of 99,55 ha. In red - territory outside of the concession totalling 65,23 ha. In light blue - area of the concession №1 to №14 - sports fitments used or build with significant breach of concession contract. For the construction of the ski zone more than 90 ha of primarily pristine old-growth forests of Spruce, Silver fir, Macedonian and Bosnian pine at average age of 90-100 years were cleared. Some of them - unique forests with trees 120 – 300 years old. In 2010, UNESCO excluded the ski areas above Bansko and Dobrinishte from the World Heritage site. The grounds for this were that the outstanding universal value of Pirin has been repeatedly and significantly negatively impacted by the development of ski facilities and ski slopes. Ski slope during the summer - destruction and desolation. Erosion is a significant problem. For 15 years an NGO coalition involving WWF has been running a complex campaign to save Pirin National Park and UNESCO World Heritage site from mass construction of ski resorts Although with no lasting success so far, the campaign has transformed the case into a national and even European and international cause. Significant members of the public have been sensitized to the case and conservation issues more generally. Truly Global - the WWF network supported over the years WWF Bulgaria’s efforts for preservation of Bulgarian iconic protected areas, which also stands for good governance, observation of law, democracy and civil rights. On the photos: Global Forest Team Meeting 2012 (hosted by WWF Bulgaria) participants give their support for the preservation of Bulgarian protected nature. Some of them were at the frontline of an evening mass public procession in Sofia streets. Over the years, the campaign has attracted broad support from the public, celebrities, international partners and scientific institutions. On the photo is Boyan Petrov, famous Bulgarian mountain climber supporting the campaign. He stands next to a roll-up saying “I am Pirin”. WWF Bulgaria www.wwf.bg .