Creation of instruments and systems for management of Natura 2000 management is the most modern activity from the functioning of the Natura 2000. This is an area of work, which currently lacks sufficient practice in Bulgaria. Thus building experience in management planning of sites, which should serve as a model, is an important step.

Considering the opportunities for management with the participation of local stakeholders is a key aspect for the efficient management of Natura 2000. Forest certification is an economic mechanism for stimulating nature friendly forest practices through the raised demand and higher prices of certified forest products. At the time of project development, the forestry legislation did not take into account all requirements of biodiversity but only the planning of forest resource use.

Data of the National Agricultural Adviser Service shows that the number of farmers and other legal bodies from the Gabrovo District which have submitted applications to the National Rural Development Programme (NRDP) is very low, especially for measures related to environmental protection. This motivated the inclusion of the respective training for measures under the NRDP and assistance in the preparation of project compatible with nature protection.

One of the main project objectives was the development of a management plan of Bulgarka Natura 2000 site with the participation of the local stakeholders. Activities included mapping of habitat types and habitats of species, for which the site has been designated, assessment of their favourable conservation status, development of management recommendations and public consultations with the local stakeholders. Another objecteve was the development of a mechanism for stakeholder participation in the site management. Activities included analysis of property and the attitudes of people, discussion of a possible mechanism and its implementation through a discussion of the management recommendations with the local stakeholders. Capacity building capacity for sustainable forest management on the territory of the site was another project objective. Activities included mapping of High Conservation Value Forests (HCVF), which is a stage in the preparation for certification of forest management of two state forestry enterprises – Gabrovo and Plachkovtsi, on whose territory Bulgarka site is situated. Thus the Regional Forest Directorate Veliko Turnovo is prepared to implement the integrated forest management plan in the two enterprises. Another related activity was the development of an adoption scheme for private forests in the site – an opportunity to compensate private owners of old forests for not logging them by providing them access to a special fund. Another objective was raising the skills of local farmers and other legal bodies to use the EU funds. To achieve this trainings on the measures from the Rural Development Programme (RDP) were held, as well as support for the development of two projects of local people was provided, so that they could apply for funding under the NRDP.

• A developed draft management plan of Bulgarka Natura 2000 site; public consultations held to discuss the regimes and management measures proposed; a mechanism for participation of local stakeholders.
• Mapping of High Conservation Value Forests and developed recommendations for management of forests with Gabrovo and Plachkovtsi Forestry Enterprises, as part of an integrated plan for forest management and an obligatory element of the preparation forest certification.
• 36 state foresters, private timber processors and forest mangers have been trained in the main principles of environmentally friendly forest management.
• An “adoption” scheme of private old forest in Bulgarka developed, collected funds and forests selected for adoption.
• 27 individuals form Tryavna and Gabrovo trained in the measures of the Rural Development Programme.
• Support provided for the development of 2 projects for application under the RDP through development of business plans, which are the main bulk of the documentations under measure 213 “Support for the creation and development of microenterprises”.
• Awareness-raising information materials on the European environmental network developed and disseminated, i.e.: information brochure for the local community about Bulgarka Natura 2000 site; 4 information boards installed at the site; an internet site launched; CDs with the management plan produced and disseminated.

Contact information

Katerina Rakovska

38 Ivan Vazov St., floor 2, 1000 Sofia, Bulgaria

Tel.: ++ 359 2 950 50 41

Fax: ++ 359 2 950 50 40

[email protected]