Sofia, Bulgaria: Ministry of Environment and Water yesterday celebrated 32 years of the Central Balkan National Park. It was announced on October 31, 1991, by the Minister of the Environment as a national park with an area of 71 669.5 hectares. Back in 1999, it was categorized as a national park.
Within the boundaries of the Park, nine reserves are defined to preserve the intact biological diversity of the Central Balkans. The total area of the Park’s nine reserves (“Boatin”, “Tsarichina”, “Goat Wall”, “The Wall”, “Old River“, “Jendema”, “North Jendem”, “Walking Rocks”, “Sokolna”) is 20,019.6 hectares, 28% of its area.
Back in 2008, as a result of the use of more accurate methods in declaring a Central Balkan protected zone as part of the Natura 2000 network, the area of the Park has been calculated at 72,021.1 hectares.
Central Balkans National Park is part of the European Ecological Network Natura 2000 at the same time as a wild bird conservation zone and for protecting natural habitats and wild flora and fauna. The Park is also a certified member of the Federation of European Natural and National Parks (EUROPARC Federation).
He has been awarded the European Diploma for Protected Territories by the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers. Due to their exceptional value, the most representative beech forests in the Park’s nine reserves are included in the UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage List as part of the “Old and Primary Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions in Europe” serial site.
The National Park and five of the nearby municipalities – Troyan, Sevlievo, Pavel Banya, Karlovo and Anton, have been announced by the UNESCO Human and the Biosphere Program for the Central Balkans Biosphere Park – recognition of the preserved nature and cultural identity of the region.