The Blue Stones Natural Park (Sinite Kamani)
Project ONE
Intro
As we (Jane & Kylie) begin our preparations to walk the Kom-Emine route across Bulgaria from East to West, we wanted to introduce you to the first project being supported by the Bulgarian Biodiversity Foundation (BBF) who we are raising money for on this journey. This is just one of many projects that will be supported throughout the next year.
For context, and surprisingly protected areas only make us a very small part of the territory of Bulgaria – only 5%.
Nature conservation globally is often seen as a threat to those that wish to develop infrastructure for profit, not recognising the importance of these ecosystems to all of us.
Healthy ecosystems are important for the health and security of people – they purify the air, retain water, reduce damage from the increasing number of natural disasters.
Our mantra throughout this journey will be Humans & Nature in Harmony, however I think it’s important to note that we are nature, not separate from it – with that said, please read on!
Overview
Sinite Kamani Nature Park is located in the Eastern Balkan Mountains.
It is one of the most beautiful places in the entire Eastern Balkans with its name coming from the large display of gray-blue to violet-colored rocks, which are the largest deposit of this type on the Balkan Peninsula.
Renowned for its fresh air, its forest climate and diverse flora and fauna, the park is full of streams, waterfalls, caves, bizarre rocks, and spacious meadows with beautiful flowers and wildlife.
There are dozens of protected plant and animal species in the park and in the clear waters of the mountain you can find otters.
If you want to enjoy true ecotourism, this is the place!
The area of the Blue Stones stretches for nearly 12 thousand hectares in the Sliven municipality. Inside this Sinite Kamani Natural Park is the Kutelka reserve covering 708 hectares.
It was declared a reserve in 1986 to preserve the Moesian Beech and the communities and habitats of many birds of prey and is also home to 6 natural landmarks, the most famous being the Halkata (the ring), a favourite attraction for tourists due to its proximity to the town.
The Flora
The park is home to 70 species and 7 subspecies of endemic, rare, relic and protected plants. Some of them are the Urumov’s Tulip (Tulipa urumoffii), David’s colchicum (Colchicum davidovii), Fritillary (Fritillaria pontica), Violet Limodore (Limodorum аbortivum), Arab aethionema (Aethionema arabicum), Snowdrop anemone (Anemone sylvestris), Belladonna (Atropa bella-donna), etc.
The Fauna
Sinite Kamani Natural Park is represented by 244 vertebrate species and 1,153 invertebrate animals. 78% of the discovered vertebrates in the area are protected by the Biodiversity Act, 23 species are included to the globally endangered animals.
There are 176 bird species in the park, 149 of them are protected. The raptors are of particular interest. The rock formations of the park are a comfortable place for them to nest.
Sinite Kamani Natural Park is one of the four areas in the country, participating in a massive project, the main purpose of which is to restore the Griffon Vulture (Gyps fulvus) in Bulgaria.
Note from Jane: I have personally witnessed these vultures in all their glory and it was one of the most awe-inspiring, incredible, jaw-dropping, life memories ever (and that is no exaggeration)
What is Happening?
In November last year, the municipal council in Sliven decided to declare two areas – Karandila and Daulite from the Sinite Kamani Natural Park – resorts in order to be able to “develop them”.
They took decision to form resorts with surface of nearly 200 acres into the middle of the Sinite kamani Nature Park. This comes without any environmental assessment, without having an adopted park management plan.
This for BBF is a familiar scenario: lies and promises! Lies about restrictions in the nature park and promises of improved infrastructure and booming tourism.
Regarding the restrictions in the natural park and promises of improved infrastructure and flourishing tourism, with poorly concealed plans for property sales, construction, loss of biodiversity.
The decision for the two future resorts affects 800 acres. It is unclear why, since the entire area of the infrastructure, including roads, is only 150 acres. The rest is forests, rocks, meadows.
The Bulgarian Biodiversity Foundation do not believe that the goal is development without new construction.
The status of a natural park does not prevent the existing infrastructure of bungalows, rest stops, sports facilities, roads from being repaired and maintained.
Some of them are functioning, some of the owners are already developing them.
Aim
To keep the “Blue Stones” intact!
For us and for our children! The park needs our protection and it needs it now!
There have been local protests, which have attracted the attention of the institutions but they can’t do this alone and we should not allow them to “forget” us and resume their plans.
Bulgarian Biodiversity Foundation is taking action to raise awareness, support local communities and take legal action to save the integrity of the nature parks system in Bulgaria.
Protected nature is a resource for the development of regions as tourism destinations but first of all – it should be protected.
Where the Donations go!
Visibility
BBF will use funds to showcase the biodiversity in the Park with exhibitions, lectures, educational materials from biologists and other experts (anticipated 3500 leva / 1750 euros)
Legal
Also the need for legal assistance is a big drain on resources, expert assessments, monitoring, legal fees (estimated at 6500 leva / 3250 euros)
Together we will succeed!