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Pirin National Park

Bulgaria
Factors affecting the property in 2005*
  • 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

Potential impacts resulting from uncoordinated ski resort construction; Lack of Management Plan and effective management mechanisms; Illegal logging leading to forest disturbance; Unresolved boundary issues

International Assistance: requests for the property until 2005
Requests approved: 1 (from 2004-2004)
Total amount approved : 15,000 USD
Missions to the property until 2005**

UNESCO/IUCN mission 2002; UNESCO/IUCN mission 3-6 February 2004

Conservation issues presented to the World Heritage Committee in 2005

Following the joint World Heritage Centre/IUCN mission from 3 to 6 February 2004, the State Party undertook a number of follow-up activities and submitted an international assistance request for the extension of the property and for preparation of a nomination to modify the boundaries which was processed, and the project is currently underway.

Furthermore, several reports were provided by the Ministry of Environment and Water: The first letter dated 28 September 2004 informing the Centre that the Management Plan of Pirin National Park was finally approved with Decision 646 dated 6 August 2004 of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Bulgaria; A second dated 12 January 2005 providing a map of the property and clarifying the status of different zoning arrangements; and thirdly a letter dated 19 January 2005 on the specific actions taken in response to Decision 28 COM 15B.21.

IUCN points out that in late 2004, a coalition NGO (Save Pirin) started an independent review on the environmental and economic impact of the Bansko Skiing Zone as well as on the legal aspects of the project and its implementation.  However, IUCN has yet to review a copy of the complete study and is not in a position to provide an objective assessment of the environmental impact studies. 

The State Party responded to the specific request regarding the adoption of the Management Plan.  The plan identifies six zones: the reserve zone; zone of limited human impact; zone of conservation of forest ecosystems and recreation; zone for sustainable use of open territories and recreation; tourism zone, and the buildings and facilities zone.  A map indicating the original boundary at the time of the nomination was also provided.  Other additional maps clarifying earlier discrepancies were made available in January 2005 providing additional detailed information about the boundaries of the World Heritage property as declared in 1983, as well as the present boundaries of the National Park in accordance with Bulgarian legislation.

In regard to the possible exclusion of the Bansko ski zone from the World Heritage property, as well as any new territories, which may be included in the future, the State Party reports that a careful evaluation will be carried out by a team to be formed during the process of extension of the property.  The ultimate decision on the development of the ski resort will remain with the team. 

In response to a recommendation to improve communication, the State Party reports that a national programme for monitoring biodiversity is being financially supported by the Dutch Government.  This programme, upon approval will officially be introduced in Pirin National Park and is expected to enhance communication between the various agents, particularly regarding monitoring information.  A Scientific Council has been established and there is a provision in the Management Plan for the establishment of a Consultative Council of the Park.

The State Party has adequately responded to the decision of the 28th session of the Committee (Suzhou, 2004), and has provided significant indications of the progress made in the implementation of the specific recommendations of the 2004 World Heritage Centre / IUCN mission concerning the state of conservation of the property, its management, its zoning, the establishment of buffer zones and improved communication.  The revised map provided is an improvement on the earlier map and is acceptable.

Decisions adopted by the Committee in 2005
29 COM 7B.23
Pirin National Park (Bulgaria)

The World Heritage Committee,

1. Having examined Document WHC-05/29.COM/7B.Rev,

2. Recalling its Decision 28 COM 15B.21 adopted at its 28th session (Suzhou, 2004),

3. Notes with satisfaction that the State Party of Bulgaria provided progress reports on measures taken to address the recommendations of the joint 2004 World Heritage Centre/IUCN mission for examination by the Committee and that the management plan was finally approved in August 2004;

4. Commends the State Party for its continued commitment to address the conservation concerns of the property, and for providing an updated map of the property as well as for the positive steps in expanding the size of the property;

5. Expresses concern over uncontrolled ski development within the World Heritage property;

6. Further commends the Dutch and Swiss Governments for their generous financial support to Pirin National Park;

7. Invites the State Party to bring forward a nomination that will help to better define the boundaries of the property based on its outstanding universal value and issues of integrity, notably in relation to the ski area.

Draft Decision: 29 COM 7B.23

The World Heritage Committee,

1.  Having examined Document WHC-05/29.COM/7B.Rev,

2.  Recalling its Decision 28 COM 15B.21adopted at its 28th session (Suzhou, 2004),

3.  Notes with satisfaction that the State Party provided progress reports on measures taken to address the recommendations of the 2004 World Heritage Centre/IUCN mission for examination by the Committee and that the Management Plan was finally approved in August 2004;

4.  Commends the State Party of Bulgaria for its continued commitment to address the conservation concerns of the property and for providing an updated map of the property as well as for the positive steps in expanding the size of the property;

5.  Expresses concern over uncontrolled ski development within the World Heritage property;

6.  Further commends the Dutch and Swiss Governments for the generous financial support to Bulgaria and Pirin National Park;

7.  Invites the State Party to bring forward a nomination that will help to better define the boundaries of the property based on its outstanding universal value and issues of integrity, notably in relation to the ski area.

Report year: 2005
Bulgaria
Date of Inscription: 1983
Category: Natural
Criteria: (vii)(viii)(ix)
Documents examined by the Committee
arrow_circle_right 29COM (2005)
Exports

* : 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.