Bulgarian Nature - Protected Territories
Bulgarian National Parks 
Bulgaria has 3 national parks: the 'Pirin' National Park, the 'Rila' National Park and the 'Central Balkan'
National Park. These national parks have been defined as 'areas without any populated areas and settlement
formations within their boundaries that include natural ecosystems with a large diversity of plant and
animal species and habitats, with typical and remarkable scenery and abiotic objects of nature.'
These national parks are managed for the purpose of: maintenance of the diversity of the ecosystems and
protection of wildlife; conservation and maintenance of the biological diversity within the ecosystems;
presentation of opportunities for development of scientific, educational and recreation activities;
creation of prerequisites for development of tourism, environmentally sound livelihood for the population
and other activities in harmony with the goals under the preceding items.' |
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Bulgarian Natural Parks 
Bulgaria has eleven natural parks: Nature Park 'Rusenski Lom', Nature Park 'Vrachanski Balkan', Nature Park 'Strandzha',
Nature Park 'Persina', Nature Park 'Shumensko Plato', Nature Park 'Zlatni Pyasutsi', Nature Park "Vitosha",
Nature Park 'Sinite Kamuni', Nature Park 'Rilski Manastir', Nature Park 'Bulgarka' and the newly designated
Nature Park 'Belasitsa'. These natural parks have been defined as 'areas that include diverse ecosystems with
multiform plant and animal species and habitats thereof, with typical and remarkable scenery and abiotic
objects of nature.' These natural parks are managed for the purpose of: 'maintenance of the diversity of
ecosystems and conservation of biodiversity therein; presentation of opportunities for development of
scientific, educational, and recreational activities; sustainable use of the renewable natural resources
while preserving traditional forms of livelihood, and provision of conditions for the development of tourism.' |
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Bulgarian Strict Nature Reserves 
Bulgaria has 55 'strict' nature reserves. These strict nature reserves have been defined as 'model natural ecosystems
that include typical and/or remarkable wild plant and animal species and their habitats'.
These strict nature reserves are managed for the purpose of: 'preservation of their natural characteristics;
scientific and educational purposes and/or eco-monitoring; genetic resources conservation; conservation of
natural habitats of the populations of protected rare, endemic and relic species; development of an ecosystem and
endangered habitat network representative for Bulgaria and Europe.'
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Bulgarian Maintained Nature Reserves 
Bulgaria has 35 'maintained' nature reserves. These maintained nature reserves have been defined as those
'that include rare and/or endangered wild plant and animal species and their habitats.' These maintained nature
reserves are managed for the purpose of: 'preservation of the natural characteristics; scientific and educational
purposes and/or eco-monitoring; restoration of populations of plant and animal species and/or the conditions
of the habitats thereof; conservation of genetic resources.'
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Bulgarian Natural Monuments 
Bulgaria has 457 natural monuments. These natural monuments have been defined as 'typical or remarkable abiotic objects
of nature such as rock formations, rock excavations of scientific value, earth pyramids, caves, caverns, waterfalls,
fossil and mineral deposits, sand dunes and others of exceptional value due to their inherent rarity,
representativeness, aesthetic quality or of scientific or cultural significance.' These natural monuments and landmarks
are managed for the purpose of: 'conservation of remarkable natural features; presentation of opportunities for studies
and aesthetic enjoyment.'
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Bulgarian Protected Sites 
Bulgaria has 175 protected sites. These protected sites have been defined as 'areas with typical or remarkable scenery
including those that are the result of harmonious existence of man and nature and stand out for their significant
aesthetic value; habitats of endangered, rare or vulnerable plant and animal species and communities.' These protected
sites are managed for the purpose of: 'preservation of the scenery components; conservation, maintenance or restoration
of the habitat conditions that meet the ecological requirements of species and communities under protection;
presentation of opportunities for scientific research, education and eco-monitoring; presentation of opportunities
for tourism and spiritual gain.'
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