Bio-diversity

The project is located in the region of Lower Yantra and Danube in Northern Bulgaria. It involves the municipalities of Belene, Svishtov, Tsenovo, Belyanovo, Mechka/Stalpishte and envisages the development of a model package of ecotourism products utilizing the natural resources of the target region with the goal to decrease the pressure on the unique ecosystems which comprise 37 habitats of European Union interest, and a number of threatened fauna: 56 species of birds, 17 species of mammals, and 8 species of amphibians and reptiles. Our project is based on implementing the following key clusters of actions: Study and monitoring of biodiversity in the local protected areas and Natura 2000 network sites to ensure solid basis of future ecotourism development. Establish partnerships with local organizations (NGO, governmental, small business etc) which will help us to build the backbone of the future product. Set the scene for development of ecotourism kayaking trail crossing or bordering protected areas and Nature 2000 zones in the Lower Yantra and Danube River Region and this way provide better access for visitors. We believe that this will bring more tourists in the region, which means more income and employment for the local people, based on the protected sites (natural reserves) as a main attraction. We believe this shall increase the awareness of the local people for the importance of protected areas and well preserved nature. Cre te financial tool (fund) to accumulate income from organized use of the route in order to refinance the maintenance of the trail and expand the preservation activities in the region. Promote the product in order to increase the number of the visits in the Lower Yantra and Danube River Region. The target groups of the project include: Local population, for which alternative forms of employment will be created both directly (guides, shuttle services, etc.) and indirectly (restaurants, guest houses, etc.) Tourists mainly tourists, looking for alternative forms of tourism (canoe, kayak, trekking) Tourist agencies they will be given the opportunity to offer an integrated and innovative product and increase their revenues, while helping conserve globally significant biodiversity, help decelerate climate change and increase environmental awareness among their clients The NGOs which will work on biodiversity protection, utilizing the Fund revenues The expected project impacts are: Improved status of the population of nine globally endangered species: pygmy cormorant (Phalacrocorax pygmaeus), ferruginous duck (Aythya nyroca), white-tailed eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla), Dalmatian pelican (Pelecanus crispus), marbled polecat (Vormela peregusna), European otter (Lutra lutra), European souslik (Spermophilus citellus), spur-thighed tortoise (Testudo graeca), Hermann`s tortoise (Testudo hermanni), and the local ecosystems as a whole Contribution to the sustainable development of the target region (1,655 sq. km) Implementing a unique model of public-private partnership for preservation of the biodiversity and sustainability of the developed tourist products The project is developed in a way to ensure its long-term sustainability, which depends very much on the involvement of local people and the number of tourists visiting the region and the trail. All activities can easily be continued using the existing capacity and resources, and the after initial stage the venture can generate enough cash flows to keep it operational and to accumulate money in the special fund as described above. Our goal is to achieve increase of this number based on the following: partnerships with tour operators, local businesses and other NGO s. re-investment of income accumulated from tourist visits in the region trough the use of a specialized fund to maintain the trail and expand conservation activities in the Lower Yantra and Danube Region. organizing events along the trail and the protected sites in order to promote them and raise awareness among the locals. provided detailed information about the tourist product (incl. trail, protected sites, villages, attractions etc.) trough a designated web page and guidebook. promotion and advertising of the trail.

Bulgaria