Pirin National Park
Factors affecting the property in 2004*
- Financial resources
- Human resources
- Illegal activities
- Impacts of tourism / visitor / recreation
- Major visitor accommodation and associated infrastructure
- Management systems/ management plan
Factors* affecting the property identified in previous reports
Tourism Pressure; Ski development
International Assistance: requests for the property until 2004
Total amount approved : 15,000 USD
| 2004 | Preparation of a nomination dossier for the extension ... (Approved) | 15,000 USD |
Missions to the property until 2004**
Conservation issues presented to the World Heritage Committee in 2004
The joint UNESCO-IUCN mission was carried out from 3 to 6 February 2004 in close cooperation with the State Party, the site manager and the Ministry for Environment and Waters. It noted that a number of ascertained and potential threats exist, including the existing ski development and other potential development proposals, which could threaten the values and the integrity of the World Heritage property. During the mission draft reports were provided to the mission team. The mission however noted that the response from the Government to the requests of the Committee was not adequate, and that no map of the World Heritage property was provided officially by the States Party despite repeated requests.
The mission concluded with a number of specific recommendations on the following issues:
(a) World Heritage area, zoning and buffer zones: The State Party should approve the management plan as soon as possible, but no later than by the end of 2004; provide the exact map of the World Heritage property as declared in 1983; take the decision with respect to the exclusion of the Bansko ski-zone from the World Heritage property; prepare and submit a proposal for the extension of the World Heritage property to include other areas, if appropriate; in accordance with the Operational Guidelines and with the management plan to establish and the zoning system with a buffer zone and sub-zones and manage the whole area to ensure the integrity of the property.
(b) State of conservation of the site: The State Party should ensure effective management by securing staff and resources for the National Park Directorate; effectively control those who work under licence agreements or have other legal rights for use of resources or other activities in the World Heritage property; take effective measures to stop the violations against the laws within and around the World Heritage property.
(c) Management: The Pirin National Park Directorate should set priorities under the management plan according to the analysis made and in particular: defining the regimes and norms and its control, optimum protection and management of habitats of high conservation value, providing opportunities for conservation education and interpretation and stimulation of scientific studies, development of sustainable tourism and income generation for the communities; improve the management policy and the institutional development as defined by the management plan.
(d) Improved communication: The State Party and particularly the Park Directorate should support long-term monitoring for the purposes of conservation and maintenance of the values of the World Heritage property and regularly report on the state of the property.
Summary of the interventions
Decisions adopted by the Committee in 2004
28 COM 15B.21
Pirin National Park
The World Heritage Committee,
1. Recalling its decision to defer the inscription of Pirin National Park on the List of World Heritage in Danger until its 27th session (26 COM 21 (b) 2), with decision on this to be based on an assessment of the State Party's response to the UNESCO/IUCN mission report (Decision 27 COM 7B.15) and noting the results of the joint UNESCO/IUCN mission of February 2004,
2. Regrets that the State Party did not adopt the final management plan by the end of 2003 as requested (Decision 27 COM 7B.15) and urges the State Party to adopt this plan at least by the end of 2004;
3. Welcomes the co-operation of the State Party in addressing some of the issues, including the submission of an international assistance request for a potential extension of the World Heritage property;
4. Requests that the State Party implement the specific recommendations of the 2004 UNESCO / IUCN mission concerning the state of conservation of the property, its management, its zoning and the establishment of buffer zones and improved communication;
5. Further requests the State Party to provide a detailed report on actions taken to respond to the recommendations of the 2004 mission report, as well as a clear map showing the boundaries of the property by 1 February 2005, for examination by the Committee at its 29th session in 2005.
Draft Decision: 28 COM 15B.21
The World Heritage Committee,
1. Recalling its decision to defer the inscription of Pirin National Park on the List of World Heritage in Danger until its 27th session (26 COM 21 (b) 2), with decision on this to be based on an assessment of the State Party's response to the UNESCO/IUCN mission report (27 COM 7B.15) and noting the results of the joint UNESCO/IUCN mission of February 2004,
2. Regrets that the State Party did not adopt the final management plan by the end of 2003 as requested (27 COM 7B.15) and urges the State Party to adopt this plan at least by the end of 2004;
3. Welcomes the cooperation of the State Party in addressing some of the issues, including the submission of an international assistance request for a potential extension of the World Heritage property;
4. Requests that the State Party implement the specific recommendations of the 2004 UNESCO / IUCN mission concerning the state of conservation of the site, its management, its zoning and the establishment of buffer zones and improved communication;
5. Requests the State Party to provide a detailed report on actions taken to respond to the recommendations of the 2004 mission report, as well as a clear map showing the boundaries of the site by 1 February 2005, for examination by the Committee at its 29th session in 2005.
BulgariaExports
* :
The threats indicated are listed in alphabetical order; their order does not constitute a classification according to the importance of their impact on the property.
Furthermore, they are presented irrespective of the type of threat faced by the property, i.e. with specific and proven imminent danger (“ascertained danger”) or with threats which could have deleterious effects on the property’s Outstanding Universal Value (“potential danger”).
** : All mission reports are not always available electronically.
