NATURA 2000 is a European ecological network that aims at guaranteeing sustainable preservation of natural habitats and population of species that are of high value for Europe. The network includes special protected regions, determined by the European Union member states, according to the Birds and Habitats directives. About 140 habitats and 600 plant and animal species are subject to protection through the two directives. Both new and old member states must secure the disseminating of these habitats and species in their territories. The countries must protect part of the species and manage them in a sustainable way aiming at preservation of the habitats.
Bulgaria's contribution to the network
Bulgaria will be one of the most biodiversity-rich countries in the EU. The European Commission (EC) has accepted that every country should protect about 20 per cent of its national land by including it in the NATURA 2000 network. Bulgaria must protect more than 80 habitats, as well as the most important habitats of 100 breeds of birds and 226 species of animals determined by the European directives. The process of examination and determining of sites suitable for NATURA 2000 has been going on for three years with the financial support of external donors and internal financing by the Ministry of Environment and Water Affairs (MEWA). By the end of 2006, the Cabinet must confirm a national list that will be sent to the EC together with the necessary scientific documentation and map material.
How do territories get included in the network?
In 2007 the process will start of announcing the sites proposed for protection within the Birds Directive. This will happen when Environment and Water Affairs Minister Djevdet Chakurov issues an ordinance. According to the Habitats Directive, there will be an examination by the EC of the extent of inclusion of each and every habitat and specie in the network proposed by the country. This process takes up to three years and only after the final list's approval by the EC may the sites be announced.
Managing the protected NATURA 2000 territories
The management of the protected zones in Bulgaria will be an engagement of the owners and users through management plans drawn up for the purpose. The management will be co-ordinated and controlled by the ministry. The long-term protection of the valuable habitats and species in the NATURA 2000 zones will be conducted by stimulating agriculture and forest activities that are preserving and maintaining the habitats and the species in good condition. The measures could also include restriction of some activities that would harm the habitats and species. In spite of this, according to the Biodiversity Act, at public hearings the owners, local authorities and other interested bodies have the opportunity to express their consent or disagreement with the proposals regarding possible prohibition of activities within NATURA 2000 sites. Investment proposals, plans and programmes will be given approval or disapproval based on assessment of the extent of impact on valuable habitats or species.
Financing of activities for management of the protected NATURA 2000 sites
Those types of activities would be financed by the Environment Operational Programme. Within the programme, funds will be provided for drafting management plans and plans for different activities in these territories, ecological investment projects, educational and information campaigns etc. In cases when such activities are restricted, the physical and legal entities and the municipalities, the land's, water's or forest's owners or users will be compensated for the missed benefits and the made costs. The funds for compensation are provided by the Development of Agricultural Areas National Programme and the National Programme for Fishing and Aquacultures within the European Agriculture Fund for developing of the agriculture regions and the European Fishing Fund.
