The national bio-diversity council said that 28.6 per cent of Bulgaria’s territory would be included in Natura 2000 ecological network.

The number of areas to be included was 225. Natura 2000 is an ecological protection network excluding urban areas, vacation sites, resorts and industrial centres.

Protected areas have to be pointed out by May 2007, Darik Radio reported.

The Council of Ministers will vote on the regions suggested for inclusion in Natura 2000 on December 21.

A number of property owners from the regions already protested against the restrictions that were going to be enforced after the inclusion of terrains in Natura 2000.

At the same time environmentalists requested the inclusion of more territories in the ecological network. More than 35 per cent of the Bulgarian territory had to be protected, ecologists said as quoted by Focus news agency.