The Dokuzak waterfall near Malko Tarnovo, in Burgas region, is now a protected site with "natural landmark" status. Environment minister Rositsa Karamfilova signed an order that puts the waterfall, a feature of inanimate nature, under state protection. The site covers 14.798 decares.

Visitors may light fires only in the fireplace of the existing shelter. Camping and bivouacking are banned, as are tents, campervans and caravans.

No buildings, facilities or roads may be built within the landmark's borders. The exceptions are temporary forest roads, structures that protect the waterfall from damage, and architectural features for recreation and tourism. The purpose of the properties, and the way they are permanently used, cannot be changed either.

Logging is also banned, apart from sanitary, forced and technical felling. These are allowed to protect forests from fires, during natural disasters and accidents, and to remove trees that endanger people's lives and health.

It is forbidden to damage the waterfall's karst formations, graze farm animals or dump waste. Searching for, surveying and extracting minerals and aggregates is also banned. The ministry says the rules aim to prevent damage to, or destruction of, the natural look of the waterfall and the land around it.

Dr Diko Patronov, a forester, researcher and ecologist, proposed protecting the waterfall. He has devoted his whole career to protecting, studying and sustainably managing the forests of Strandzha.

The Environment Ministry, the Regional Inspectorate of Environment and Water in Burgas, the Burgas regional administration, Malko Tarnovo municipality, the Regional Forestry Directorate in Burgas and the Strandzha Nature Park directorate all took part in declaring the site.

The order has yet to be published in the State Gazette.