Environmental research

Undoubtedly, the rich cultural and historical heritage of places such as the town of Tryavna, the village of Bozhentsi, Etara Ethnographic Open-Air Museum, Sokolski Monastery, the genuine wildlife and biodiversity on the territory of Bulgarka Nature Park, as well as the opportunities to preserve and develop agricultural practice and craft industry are a significant basis to offer an integrated ecotourist product. Despite the rich cultural and historical heritage, the genuine wildlife and the presence of a protected area, which are favourable for the development of ecotourist business, the supply of ecotourist services in the region is inadequate and incidental. Major problems are: the low degree of using and supply of natural and cultural heritage; the formation of a relatively meager tourist product; the development of summer tourism; the poorly developed tourist infrastructure; the lack of information and education centers in the region; the prevalence of information sign boards written out in Cyrillic; low foreign language competence; the fact that tourism is not closely linked to natural heritage; the lack of premises offering a product of tourism; depopulation of the region and increasing number of wastelands. People in the region fall victim to investors buying their lands for mass construction which is not in accord with the goals and sustainable management of the protected territory. Some of these gaps will be bridged by building a visitor information center. It will also be accessible to people with special needs. It will offer information, education and interpretative programs and materials. This will enhance environmental education and positive attitude to natural heritage. The building of educational trails will reduce uncontrolled anthropogenic influence in the protected territory. Their interpretative environment will increase familiarity with existing nature and national parks in Bulgaria, protected species and forms of management. Research and creation of data base about local fruit sorts will help to restore deserted waste lands, creating additional means of livelihood for local population. By creating a pilot orchard ways for preservation, restoration and sustainable management of farm lands in the region will be demonstrated, thus creating additional interest on the part of owners. Trainings will be held for the presentation of the benefits from the restoration and usage of their lands, farming methods and getting production suitable for the market. The area also includes an abandoned open quarry. Its landscape restoration, the cleaning of the Karst lake and building in the future of a recreation center will not only help the restoration of biodiversity but will also stimulate civic activity in environmental initiatives, thus strengthening the man-nature relationship. The implementation of the present project, the increase of people s knowledge and awareness, supported by direct actions of the Protected Area Directorate and experts from the Association will increase interest towards alternative forms of tourism based on traditional usage of local resources, nature preservation and sustainable usage.

Bulgaria