Bio-diversity

Location The main activities of the project will be implemented in the region of the Dragoman marsh, Municipality of Dragoman. The Dragoman and Aldomirovtsi marshes, the calcareous hills of Chepun and Tri Ushi and the wet meadows of Rajanovtsi are proposed as a potential Protected zone/NATURA 2000 Dragoman. The natural complex is an Important Bird Area with the name Wet Meadows of Rajanovtsi . The tourism development activities will be organized in the whole Municipality. Main threats and problems: Threats to biodiversity in the region: plugging of natural pastures and meadows; overgrowing of grasslands and open waters and replacement of species compositions; draining measures; hunting and poaching, wind farm constructions in bird habitats and threaten natural habitats; opening of quarries for inert materials; planting of non-native tree species. Target groups: Local community, tourists, scientists, students from Sofia and the country. Main goal of the project Conservation and management of biological diversity and resources in the Dragoman Marsh region through sustainable measures in the areas of tourism, education and agriculture. Objectives Conservation and restoration of priority habitats and species. To ensure conditions for development of ecotourism and education. Activities Designation of Dragoman Marsh and Chepen Protected Areas Preparation of a management plan for Natura 2000 site Dragoman Activities for maintenance and restoration of habitats and species Building local capacity for tourism development Construction of Dragoman Marsh visitors center Development of tourist infrastructure Purchase of equipment for fieldwork and training Preparation and elaboration of printed materials As a result of this project 330ha of natural habitats will be protected with establishment of the Protected Areas and more than 20000ha will be proposed for NATURA 2000 site. 10 families from Dragoman will be included in development of local tourism product; a Municipal programme of sustainable tourism will be developed for Dragoman including identification of tourist trails. A visitors centre will be constructed. The habitats of 7 species of globally threaten animals and 5 species of plants will be protected and maintained with grazing, seeding and planting of native tree species.

Bulgaria