Parks and protected areas in Bulgaria : environmental NGOs in Bulgaria

The Rhodope Mountains are especially noteworthy for their biodiversity. Many existing nature reserves need to be expanded to better protect their natural values. Responsibility for identifying, designating, and managing protected natural areas is highly fragmented within Bulgaria. Major participants include the Institute of Ecology, the Ministry of Environment, the Forestry Committee, and the Agrolesproject unit of the Forestry Committee. The existing allocation of responsibility is not conducive to strong identification and management of areas deserving protection. Funds allocated to management of protected areas appear to be inadequate. Substantial cuts in funding for protected areas were reported to mission representatives during field visits. The Bulgarian government should explore new sources of funding for protected areas (e.g., from user fees and from surcharges on tourist facilities benefitting from such areas). Insufficient attention has been paid to educating the Bulgarian public about the natural values of existing reserves and the benefits to be derived by expanding the existing reserve system. Many government-owned facilities are present within existing protected areas. The Bulgarian government should consider placing a high priority on conversion of such facilities to visitor information centers, environmental museums, and the like. Although it has nine national parks and many more protected areas, Bulgaria has not developed a team of trained nature protection and nature interpretation specialists such as those found in other countries. A growing number of Bulgarian NGO"s are demonstrating interest in expanding the existing system of protected areas and lending their support to the enhanced management of the system. These include The Wilderness Fund, the Bulgarian Society for Conservation of the Rhodope Mountains, and the Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds. Bulgaria"s rich natural endowment will be at continued and perhaps increased risk in the future if Bulgaria fails to make a firmer administrative and financial commitment to nature protection. (Author abstract)