More zones added to Natura 2000 conservation network

sofiaecho.com

Nature 2000's conservation network will contain more areas in Lomovete and western Rhodopes and additional four territories will be added to protected areas, so that it will embrace 34 per cent of the country's territory.

The four new zones will be for protection of wild birds: Pirin buffer, Central Balkan buffer, Bulgarka and Rila monastery.

The national council for biological diversity, affiliated to the Ministry of Environment and Water, proposed the change that would add 244 000 hectares to the overall area.

The Bulgarian Cabinet will also amend the list of protected zones in the Vardim conservation zone.

The future of Rila buffer zone in Natura 2000 is still unclear because there is no consensus regarding which part of the zone needs protection from building plans.