Environmentalists Call to Save the Only Colony of Black Storks in Bulgaria

The Regional Inspectorate of Environment and Waters in Bulgaria’s old capital, Veliko Turnovo, appealed to limit the rock climbing near the Holy Trinity Monastery in the region in order to help preserve the only colony of black storks in Bulgaria.

The environmentalists have already sent a recommendation letter to the Mountaineering and Climbing Federation, as well as to the tourist company in the city responsible for rock climbing. The black stork is a protected species and is included in the Red Book of Bulgaria.

The black stork is a migratory and rare species of bird and the only habitat in Bulgaria where it can be seen is the southern part of the rock wreath near the Holy Trinity Monastery.

Five pairs are nesting there at the moment. However, since the Red Book of Bulgaria states that they are vulnerable to extinction and the breeding period has already begun, the Regional Environmental Inspectorate in Veliko Tarnovo called for limiting the rock climbing activiteis in the area.

It is recommended that rock climbing be limited until 31^st of August, when the black storks breeding period ends. The tourist company in Veliko Tarnovo, responsible for the climbing activities in the region, has ensured that the environmentalists' recommendation has already been respected and rock climbing takes place in the free zone to the north of the monastery where there are no black storks

In the southern part, where the nests of the protected birds are, Georgi Dimitrov points out six routes for rock climbing. He is firm that the presence of tourists and mountaineers there contributes to the preservation of the environment and in no way affects the lives of black storks. He claimed, however, that the routes were destroyed two years ago.

However, the cave club in Veliko Turnovo claims that these routes were unregulated, have caused extreme damage to the environment and the Holy Trinity monastery and therefore should not be restored.

Due to the presence of other protected bird species in the area of Holy Trinity Monastery, environmentalists in Veliko Turnovo are already considering to declare the area as protected. In case of non-observance of the law which protects the Black Storks in Bulgaria, the fine for individuals will be 5,000 BGN, and for legal entities – 10,000 BGN

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