The central part of the Rhodopi Mountains (Mursalitsa Ridge) is characterized by rich biodiversity and a number of opportunities for application of sustainable economic practices like organic farming, multifunctional forest management and sustainable use of hunting and fishing resources. Tourism in the region is developed all year round and there are a number of natural and cultural-historical landmarks. The hunting and fishing unions, which maintain game resources in winter and carry out re-introduction of rare species (for example, wild goat populations), play a special role in the process of biodiversity conservation and restoration. At the same time, hunters and fishermen are not really integrated in the conservation of specific biodiversity (rare species and habitats) and the process of establishment of the European Ecological Network NATURA 2000. A serious problem in the Bulgarian part of the project region is the conservation and restoration of pasture habitats and related traditional pasture cattle breeding. Pasture and meadow habitats of European importance are to a high degree subjected to degradation due to the lack of grazing and insufficient number of animals (sheep, cows and horses). These extremely specific ecosystems depend largely on herbivorous animals and mowing regimes. The capercaillie and hazel grouse populations are also under threat and often victims of poachers. The brown bear population is also not estimated correctly and remains a rare species for Bulgaria and the region due to the insufficient food resources.
There is also a significant crisis in the forestry sector, where forests are damaged severely by fires, typical sector approach to management and gradual rejuvenation and building up of elite forest plantations.
The gradual fragmentation and degradation of natural habitats is both a current and future problem standing before the sustainable development of the whole Smolian region and the Mursalitsa Ridge region in particular, related to the loss of natural resources, species and habitats. These processes not only have a negative environmental impact, but also lead to large-scale social and economic effects on the tourist industry, cattle farming, agriculture and forestry and hunting grounds.
Main objective: Preservation of biodiversity and sustainable management of natural resources in the Central Rhodopi Mountains (Mursalitsa Ridge)
Specific objectives:
- Preservation and restoration of the populations of rare and priority species on European scale, species that are structure-defining for the ecosystems, as well as pasture, meadow and forest habitats of European significance, etc.;
- Study of the impact of used agricultural practices on the status of habitats and species of European and international significance on the territory of Mursalitsa Ridge (PA “Trigrad-Mursalitsa”) and development of a Programme of Measures for their conservation.
- Enhancing the capacity of the target groups – cattle farmers, agricultural producers, hunters, forest owners and experts, NGO, students and others – for biodiversity conservation and sustainable natural resources management.
Main Activities:
- Information campaign: 2 press conferences held, 250 fliers and 500 manuals with recommendations on biodiversity conservation published, publications in the press, 2 radio broadcasts, 1 video broadcast, meeting with the target groups, 12 meetings with stakeholders and others.
- Expert study of cattle and plant farming practices on the territory of several settlements in Smolian, Devin and Borino municipalities within the territory of PA “Trigrad-Mursalitsa” (Mursalitsa Ridge) - the villages of Mugla, Gela, Solishta, Stikal, Stoikite, Shiroka Luka, Giovren, Trigrad – in the period March – June 2010.
- Expert study, analysis and evaluation of the interrelation of “agricultural practices – status of the pasture, meadow, forest and other habitats and species of European and international significance” on the territory of Mursalitsa Ridge, SWOT analysis, in the period June – September 2010.
- Development of a Programme of Measures – 12 meetings held with stakeholders for the identification of threats to biodiversity and natural resources in the project region and measures for their conservation, as well as development of a Programme of Measures and recommendations .
- Three training seminars for the target groups:
>> “Pasture cattle farming” – to introduce the farmers to the ways and methods of sustainable management of agricultural lands of high nature value and part of NATURA 2000 zones, exchange of experience and dissemination of “good” and “bad” agricultural practices;
>> “NATURA 2000” – to promote the European Ecological Network NATURA 2000, familiarization with the natural resources and biodiversity of PA “Trigrad-Mursalitsa”, the threats and ways for their conservation;
>> “Forest and game resources in the Rhodopi Mountains” – familiarization with the opportunities for multifunctional management of forests in the Mursalitsa region and the challenges and problems in the management and conservation of game, hunting and fishing resources in the region.
- Implemented pilot and demonstration measures for biodiversity conservation on the territory of Mugla village:
>> Study of suitable places for placing biotechnical facilities - feeders;
>> Mounted 10 biotechnical facilities – feeders on the territory of Mugla village – 4 bird feeders and 6 feeders for large game, 4 of which in the hunting fields used by HFU “Sokol” – Smolian and 6 in the state forestry fund of SFF Smolian – Mugla village section;
>> Winter maintenance of the feeders.
- Information campaign – raised public awareness and commitment, project promoted, publicity and transparency of project activities.
- Study, analysis and evaluation of cattle and plant farming practices – “good” and “bad” farming practices studied and evaluated, experience disseminated.
- Study, analysis and evaluation of the connection between farming practices and the actual status of habitats – analysed and evaluated interrelation of “agricultural practices – status of the pasture, meadow, forest and other habitats and species of European and international significance” on the territory of Mursalitsa Ridge, SWOT analysis, in the period June – September 2010.
- Programme of Measures – 12 meetings held with stakeholders, identified threats to biodiversity and natural resources in the project region and measures for their conservation; developed with the participation of stakeholders and experts Programme of measures and recommendations for conservation of biodiversity and natural resources in the Mursalitsa Ridge region
- Training seminars – enhanced capacity of the target groups for biodiversity conservation and sustainable conservation of natural resources in the project region.
- Demonstration measures – an important demonstration measure for biodiversity conservation and sustainable usage of natural resources.
Contact information
Silvia Nagulova Mladenova
10 Evridika Str., entr. V, fl. 4, apt 32, Smolian 4700, Bulgaria
Tel.: ++359 301 815 50
Cell Phone: ++359 885 308 902
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