1.
Pirin National Park (Bulgaria) (N 225bis)
Year of inscription on the World Heritage List 1983
Criteria (vii)(viii)(ix)
Year(s) of inscription on the List of World Heritage in Danger N/A
Previous Committee Decisions see page http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/225/documents/
International Assistance
Requests approved: 0 (from 1995-1995)
Total amount approved: USD 6,000
For details, see page http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/225/assistance/
UNESCO Extra-budgetary Funds
N/A
Previous monitoring missions
N/A
Factors affecting the property identified in previous reports
 Development of a hotel and a ski resort (issue resolved)
 Project proposal envisaging the enlargement of the existing ski-zone within the World Heritage site
Illustrative material see page http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/225/
Information presented to the Bureau of the World Heritage Committee in 2001
Previous
Ninth
session
of
the
Committee
Tenth
session
of
the
Bureau
Fifteenth
session
of
the
Bureau
Fifteenth
session
of
the
Committee
Twenty-fourth session of the Committee – paragraph VIII.24 / Annex X page 112.
deliberations:
(XIII.)
(VI.j)
(VI.29)
(VIII.)
Main issues: ski development.
New information: IUCN reviewed the information from the Minister of Environment and Water (MOEW)
of Bulgaria dated 20 October 2000. No further information was provided by the State Party since. IUCN
notes that the ski developments of 1985/86 were in compliance with the then existing Nature Protection
Act and occupy an area of 48 ha. On 18ha of this area, however, 2 ski runs and 1 chair lift do not
function properly and there are consequent problems of overcrowding and traffic congestion on narrow
roads. The Territorial Development Plan (TDP) submitted to the MOEW in 1999 proposes 5 new ski
runs totalling 30ha plus their facilities, car parks and a cable car joining the zone with the town of Bansko.
The proposed new ski runs are all within the World Heritage site. The State Party reports that the local
population supported the project while NGO’s rejected it completely. Following a positive EIA, a public
hearing and an assessment by the Senior Environment Council to the MOEW, part of the TDP has been
given approval. This includes:
 2 new ski runs and a ski lift covering 13.5 ha.
 A study is to be carried out for another ski run and ski lift covering 7ha.
 Closing down and re-cultivation of 2 old ski runs with surface area of 18 ha and the dismantling of
the ski lift.
 Construction of a cable car to the town of Bansko, terminating car access into the park and
eliminating the need for parking lots.
 No approval for the other ski runs and lifts proposed.
 Regulation and limitation of accommodation facilities in Bansko in accordance with the capacity of
the ski zone. No construction of accommodation within the Park.
 Technical plans are required to show the exact location of each ski run and facility approved and
an EIA for each project, including public hearings in order to mitigate further any negative impacts.
 Expansion of the biosphere reserve within the Park in compensation.
IUCN has also received for review a letter from Bulgarian NGO’s dated 14 February 2001 in response
to the State Party letter. This letter notes that:
 The Bulgarian National Parks Act emphasises nature conservation before the provisions of
developments for tourism and recreation;
 A national conference was held in January 2001 attended by 180 environmental NGO’s.
Participants supported an appeal to the Ministry of Environment and Water, Bulgarian Prime
Minister and the President to repeal the decision of allowing construction of new ski runs in the
Park.;
 No alternative solutions to the proposal have been considered;
 the EIA report notes that the forest that is to be clear-cut in the area of the planned ski zone is
between 50 and 200 years old;
 The territorial management plan of the ski zone is in violation of a number of laws and
Conventions, as well as the Park Management Plan;
 The plan to bring a further 1400 people to this area of the Park is contradicting the principle of the
management plan for the decentralisation of tourism; and
 Conflict between the number of beds in the town and the capacity of the ski area is only an issue
on weekends and holidays.
The BALKANI Wildlife Society recommends the promotion of soft tourism and the improvement of the
capacity of existing ski facilities.
Action Required
The Bureau commends the State Party for the efforts to protect the natural values of this site
particularly through rehabilitation efforts and measures to alleviate current problems of overcrowding
and traffic congestion. However, the Bureau expressed concerns about a number of aspect of the
proposals, and stresses the importance of a full EIA and public hearings. Particular attention should be
given in the EIA to the location of any new ski runs and facilities as well as possible alternative
solutions. The Bureau request the State Party to submit a detailed update on the proposal to develop
5 new ski runs by 15 September 2001 and to invite an IUCN/UNESCO mission to the site.
Conservation issues presented to the World Heritage Committee in 2001
The Ministry for the Environment and Water submitted a report on the conservation status of Pirin
National Park dated 12 September 2001, which was transmitted to IUCN for review. The report includes
the following information on the Territorial Development Plan (TDP) that was developed for the Bansko
ski zone that lies within the site:
·
The TDP passed all the Environment Impact Assessment procedures set by the Bulgarian
Protected Areas Law. It was also subject to public hearing. It was later submitted to the High Expert
Ecological Council (HEEC) of the Ministry of Environment and Water. The HEEC partially approved the
TDP, while also requesting changes and protection measures aimed at improving the TDP.
·
The final version of the TDP is 818.46 ha, with ski runs and facilities occupying 99.55 ha of this
area.
·
The TDP is considered as the upgrade and development of an existing ski zone, the most
significant element of which is a cable car. It is considered to significantly reduce the negative impacts
associated with crowding, traffic congestion, and rundown facilities.
·
The development aims to ensure the achievement of one of the major goals of the National Park,
namely encouraging ecotourism and generating income for the local people. The TDP will contribute to
the sustainable development of the Park by enrolling the local community into the idea of protection of
the Park. The State Party report noted that the local population is fully supportive of the TDP.
·
The Management Plan for the Park is to be developed with financial assistance from the ongoing
Bulgarian-Swiss Biodiversity Conservation Programme. This is expected to be complete in 2001. It is
expected that the Management Plan will take note of the main directives of the TDP and after the
approval of the Management Plan, some of the TDP’s decisions may be changed.
·
On 12 July 2001, the sitting of the three-member High Administrative Court of Bulgaria ended with
a rejection of the BALKANI Wildlife Society appeal against the decision of the Ministry of Environment
and Water to grant permission for the TDP. There was an appeal against the decision with the sitting
of a five-member Court, and was subsequently rejected by the Court in late September. The High
Administrative Court is the final authority and avenue of appeal.
·
Prior to the High Court decision in July, the Ministry of Environment and Water opened the bid
procedure for the concession for the TDP by advertising in the State Gazette, and a Commission was
nominated to oversee the concession bidding process.
The State Party report invited a UNESCO/IUCN mission to the site. IUCN also received the first Brief
of the “Save the Pirin Campaign”, which involves a coalition of over 30 Bulgarian NGOs opposed to the
development. The Brief and subsequent Briefs will be used to inform European NGOs, Convention
Secretariats, European institutions including the EC, the European Bank for Reconstruction and
Development (EBRD) and European Parliament about the Campaign’s progress. Members of the
Campaign have met with the new Minister of Environment and Water, representatives of the potential
project sponsor and representatives of the EBRD, which is also involved in project financing. IUCN
noted the State Party’s belief that “the only solution to the problem of the sustainable development of
the Pirin NP is to bind the goals of the Park to the interests of the local people”, and that the TDP offers
this opportunity. IUCN acknowledges that it is important that local populations benefit, where possible,
from World Heritage designation. IUCN notes that any development in the World Heritage site must be
carefully planned to minimise environmental impacts.
IUCN questioned whether the TDP project in Pirin National Park can be classed as ecotourism and
whether it is compatible with World Heritage status. It also noted that the total area covered by the TDP
is 818.46 ha, whereas the current proposed ski runs and facilities cover less than 100 ha. This is a
substantial increase.
Analysis and Conclusions of the World Heritage Centre and IUCN
N/A
Decision Adopted: 25 BUR V.146-149
V.146 The Bureau noted that IUCN reviewed the information from the Minister of Environment and
Water (MOEW) of Bulgaria dated 20 October 2000 and that no further information had been provided
by the State Party. IUCN noted that the ski developments of 1985/86 were in compliance with the then
existing Nature Protection Act and occupy an area of 48 ha. On 18 ha of this area, however, two ski
runs and one chair lift do not function properly and there are consequent problems of overcrowding and
traffic congestion on narrow roads. The Territorial Development Plan (TDP) submitted to the MOEW in
1999 proposes five new ski runs totalling 30 ha, plus their facilities, car parks and a cable car joining the
zone with the town of Bansko. The proposed new ski runs are all within the World Heritage site. The
State Party reports that the local population supported the project while NGOs rejected it completely.
Following a positive Evaluation Impact Assessment (EIA), a public hearing and an assessment by the
Senior Environment Council to the MOEW, part of the TDP has been given approval.
V.147 IUCN has also received for review a letter from Bulgarian NGOs dated 14 February 2001 in
response to the State Party letter. This letter notes that: The Bulgarian National Parks Act emphasises
nature conservation before the provisions of developments for tourism and recreation; a national
conference was held in January 2001 attended by 180 environmental NGOs. Participants supported an
appeal to the Ministry of Environment and Water, Bulgarian Prime Minister and the President to repeal
the decision of allowing construction of new ski runs in the Park; no alternative solutions to the proposal
have been considered; the EIA report notes that the forest to be clear-cut in the area of the planned ski
zone is between 50 and 200 years old; the territorial management plan of the ski zone is in violation of
a number of laws and Conventions, as well as the Park Management Plan; the plan to bring a further
1400 people to this area of the Park is contradictory to the principle of the management plan for the
decentralisation of tourism; and conflict between the number of beds in the town and the capacity of the
ski area is only an issue on weekends and holidays.
V.148
The BALKANI Wildlife Society recommended the promotion of soft tourism and the
improvement of the capacity of existing ski facilities.
V.149 The Bureau commended the State Party for the efforts to protect the natural values of this site
particularly through rehabilitation efforts and measures to alleviate current problems of overcrowding
and traffic congestion. However, the Bureau expressed concerns about a number of aspects of the
proposals, and stressed the importance of a full EIA and public hearings. Particular attention should be
given in the EIA to the location of any new ski runs and facilities as well as possible alternative
solutions. The Bureau requested the State Party to submit a detailed update on the proposal to develop
five new ski runs by 15 September 2001 and to invite an IUCN/UNESCO mission to the site.
Decision Adopted: 25 COM VIII.85
VIII.85 The Committee noted the concerns over the Territorial Development Plan (TDP), which it
anticipates will lead to further incremental development within the remaining larger area. It requested
the State Party to ensure that tourism development does not take place in the remaining TDP area in
the future. The Committee urged that the mission invited by the State Party be carried out as soon as
possible.