Project BG0034 EEA Grants/Norway Grants

Background :

Bulgarian mountains are pointed out in the National Biodiversity Conservation Strategy (1994) as areas of significant biodiversity. The conservation of plants and habitats presumes considerable potential for encouraging the economic and social development of the local municipalities. A significant number of plants, many of which listed in the national Biodiversity Act as protected, is remnant of glaciation periods and they possess high sensitivity towards climate warming and human impact by reasons of geographic isolation and lack of potential for further migration to sites with more favorable conditions. The sensitivity of glacial relicts makes them good indicators of the changes in the environment. Most of their habitats are listed in Annex I of the Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC). The foreseen activities will be carried out at selected sites in the highest mountains of Bulgaria (Rila, Pirin, the Rhodopes and Stara Planina).