New natural monument “Stolo” announced near Svoge

The “Stolo” rock formation was announced as a natural monument by an order from the Minister of Environment and Water, Borislav Sandov. The formations are located in the Ponor Mountain, in a region called “Tsarnio Kamak” near Dobravitsa village in the Svoge Municipality, and they represent a remarkable object of nature with aesthetic value.

The area of the natural monument is over 320 km2, and the initiative for its conservation comes from the Association of Parks in Bulgaria. Together with the neighbouring rock formations and the “Dobravishka skaklya” waterfall, it is one of the outstanding parts of the Ponor Mountain. The protection of the region in accordance with the Protected Areas Act is of importance for the development of sustainable tourism in the area, the Ministry of Environment and Water notes. The rock formations are gaining popularity and are becoming an often visited tourist site.

Minister of Environment declared centuries-old trees as protected

According to the Minister’s order, all research and extraction of underground minerals, building, destruction and damage of the rock formation is prohibited. Fire-starting, cutting of trees and afforestation, hunting and waste pollution are not allowed.

The Regional Inspectorate of Environment and Water (RIEW) - Sofia must include the newly protected territory in the land valuation maps and registers of the Dobravitsa village. It should also be included in the State Register of Protected Areas by the Ministry of Environment and Water.

The “Stolo” natural monument is the 9th protected territory, announced in the last six months. Therefore, the area of protected territories in the country increases by 8,5 km2, which is more in comparison with every year since the last decade.