Minister of Environment and Water Affairs Djevdet Chakurov signed the draft ordinances for five protected zones in the Bulgarian part of the European environmental network Natura 2000, the ministry's press service said.

The ordinances concern the protected areas of Lomovete in Rousse municipality, Ribarnitsi Mechka (Bear fish ponds) in Rousse region, Central Balkan, Apriltsi near the cities Lovetch and Gabrovo, and Ostrov Vardim (Vardim Island) near Svishtov and Veliko Turnovo.

Before going into force, the ordinances would be put up for public debate for one month, starting with February 21. During this time, anyone can submit their written statements, objections and proposals concerning the bans and restrictions on activities, as outlined in the draft, the ministry said.

The full text of all draft ordinances would be published on the ministry's website and would be available also at the regional inspectorates on environment and water affairs (RIEW) in Rousse, Veliko Turnovo and Pleven.

On February 1, Chakurov signed draft orders for another six Natura 2000 protected zones -- Sreburna near Silistra, Chairya near Dobritch, Gorni Dubnik near Pleven, Tsibursko Blato near Montana, Ostrov of Gorni Tsibur near Montana and Ribarnitsi Osoya (Osoya Fish ponds) near Lom. The deadline for submitting recommendations and opinions on those ordinances expires at the beginning of March.

On January 31 the Bulgarian government decided populated areas, territories with approved master plans, concession areas for mineral resources extraction, as well as territories of great public interest according to the Biodiversity Act could be included in the Natura network.

The amendments mirror the amendments to the EU Birds Directive and Habitas Directive, which set up the Natura 2000 network. According to the changes, economical requirements cannot be a reason for certain territory not to be announced protected zone.