Several sites near the Danube River in Bulgaria could become part of the Natura 2000 ecological network, according to a proposal from World Wildlife Federation (WWF) ecological organisation.

Natura 2000 includes environmentally protected zones and aims at preserving natural landscapes, flora and fauna of European importance, Dnevnik newspaper reported. Bulgaria's participation in the programme is part of the country's EU accession engagements.

The execution of the programme is financed by NGOs like WWF, which helped Bulgaria determine areas near the Danube River that should be protected. After research in 2005 WWF chose 17 sites.
 
WWF would soon present information on the chosen areas and results from introducing Natura 2000 there, Dnevnik said. The materials would be presented at regional seminars in the Danube River region in the autumn.
 
Natura 2000 also stimulated environment-friendly business activity and economic growth in undeveloped regions, Dnevnik said. All EU funds will allocate money to Natura 2 000 for the period from 2007 to 2013.