Two new protected areas – Marinov dol near Sofia and Sazladjata in Bourgas region – are now under legal protection, thanks to orders issued by the Ministry of Environment and Waters (MoEW) based on a proposal by WWF Bulgaria.

Their total area exceeds 2700 decares, encompassing valuable beech, sweet chestnut, and spruce forests, as well as habitats of numerous rare and protected bird species, including black stork, golden eagle, and redstart.

The creation of these protected areas is a significant step for the conservation of biodiversity in Bulgaria and is another example of successful cooperation between conservation organizations and state institutions.

Restrictions in the protected areas

A number of restrictions have been introduced within the new protected areas, aiming to prevent any human activity that could harm the fragile ecosystem.

  • Logging for commercial purposes is prohibited.
  • Exploration and extraction of mineral resources is prohibited.
  • Waste disposal is strictly prohibited.
  • Camping and making fires are allowed only in designated areas.
  • A ban on new construction has been introduced.

Among the prohibitions are logging for commercial purposes – a problem that has led to the degradation of many Bulgarian forests over the years – as well as the exploration and extraction of mineral resources. Waste disposal, a practice that seriously threatens the environment and is responsible for soil and water pollution, is strictly prohibited. Camping and making fires are allowed only in strictly designated areas to prevent the risk of forest fires. In addition, a ban on new construction has been introduced within the protected areas.

Sazladjata protected area

The Sazladjata protected area, located on nearly 2302 decares in the lands of the village of Bogdanovo, Bourgas region, is of particular importance for the preservation of pure and mixed sweet chestnut forests. The protected area is an important nesting site for rare and protected bird species, including black stork, golden eagle, and middle spotted woodpecker.

To ensure the survival of the black stork and the golden eagle, an additional measure has been introduced: a ban on logging within a radius of 100 meters around trees with established nests of the two species during the period from March 1 to July 30. This restriction is crucial for the protection of their nesting habitats and is an example of a precise approach to species conservation.

Success for conservation efforts

The declaration of these two new protected areas is a significant success for conservation efforts in Bulgaria. These protected areas will contribute to the preservation of biodiversity and will provide protection for valuable ecosystems, to the delight of nature lovers and experts. However, monitoring and control will be necessary to ensure the effective implementation of the prohibitions and to guarantee that these valuable areas will remain protected for future generations.