Bio-diversity

Strandja Nature Park is the only protected area in Bulgaria, within which boundaries there are settlements. Conservation of biodiversity in grasslands in the park, largely depend on the maintenance of traditional farming in the area. Low standard of living, missing or incomplete realization of the traditional livestock production and agriculture has led to a drastic reduction of livestock and grazing in the area. Local people, particularly farmers, are not familiar in detail with the importance of biodiversity and protected area, as well as the opportunities it offers for environmentally friendly living. These processes will inevitably lead to the loss of human resources within the Strandja NP and under-use of available resources and low conservation culture of indigenous peoples. Because of the lack of grazing there are changes in the grasslands in the area which lead to changes and loss of biodiversity in the protected area. If there are not created opportunities for increasing household incomes, if the project is not realized or is realized later, some farmers will reduce or cease their activities due to failure to maintain households with traditional means of livelihood. This project proposes the establishment of best practice for use of resources available from traditional farming and environmentally friendly use of plant resources in the protected area - the NP "Strandja". The idea is to connect small domestic production with the realization of the production and to increase the incomes. To involve the farmers and breeders in craft related business but not changing their main occupation. Enriching the tourist product offered in the Park and promotes the regional brand "Strandja". The good practice will be presented by employees of NPD Strandja as an approach to motivate the population to keep their traditional livelihood and thus to protect the biodiversity in grasslands within the park. Justification Strandja Nature Park is the only protected area in Bulgaria, within which there are settlements. A major problem in protecting the territory is to maintain biodiversity in grasslands. Maintaining biodiversity in them is directly related to their environmentally sound use. Thus, one of the main activities for the conservation of biodiversity that is promoting traditional animal husbandry in the region. This process can be aided by the opening of public interest in Bulgarian crafts related to the livelihood of people and part of the uniqueness of Bulgaria and the region. Low standard of living, missing or incomplete realization of the production of traditional farming and agriculture, no awareness of the importance of such protected areas reduces the number of animals in private farms and the number of farmers in general and process associated with the depopulation of urban places in the park. This leads to a complete change in appearance of the territory - a reduction of those engaged in traditional livestock and agricultural practices lead to a change in land use, and thus the abandonment of agricultural land and abandonment of semi-natural grassland habitats, where the main regulator was grazing. Ignorance of the purpose of conservation and opportunities for rational use of resources in protected areas to put management of the park important tasks of socio-economic interest of the local community. One of them is developing a system of incentives for the public interest to preserve traditional livelihoods, which contributes to maintaining biodiversity in the Park. This project offers one of these solutions is the training of farmers in the art of dyeing with plants dyes. Creation of a demonstration of successful practice combining traditional activities - agriculture and livestock production and create additional income in the local population within the Strandja NP. Support the process of integrating farmers with small businesses in the region is a prerequisite for sustainable agriculture. Joint work of farmers and owners of guest houses for the enrichment of tourist services in the region will also contribute to the development of the region with sustainable products, complementing the core business of local people. Will propose solutions for environmentally friendly use of resources within the park and opportunities for improving welfare of the residents in the protected area. Will increase the sensitivity of people to the problems of environmental protection and promote the advantages of using a Regional brand Strandja. Location - Strandja Nature Park, Stoilovo village, Malko Turnovo Municipality, Bourgas District Project Target Groups A. Target groups who will directly benefit from project Breeders - direct participation of 10 people in the organization, production and presentation of products. Another 50 people will be participants in seminars for technique of dyeing and preparing dyes from plant materials and inputs for production activities. Business - selling products from wool Users of the products - the potential buyers in the shops and guests in the demonstration workshop and in the houses of producers B. Target groups who will benefit indirectly from the project Municipalities (Employment - standard - will be informed) Tourists - through advertisements in all guest houses and tour operators in the project area Owners of guest houses - increasing the attractiveness of the tourists stay in their homes. Local residents - promoting good practice in the 4 municipalities. Scientific comm

Bulgaria