Pirin National Park

In mountain | Bansko

GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION In the Pirin mountains, south-west Bulgaria, south of Razlog and Bansko, between the valleys of the rivers Strouma and Mesta. 41°40\'N, 22°50\'E

DATE AND HISTORY OF ESTABLISHMENT In 1963, Vikhren National Park (6,212ha) was established in the northern part of the Pirin mountains under Decree No. 3074 of 6 November 1962 of the Committee of Forestry and Forestry Management. In 1976, it was enlarged to 27,000ha and renamed Pirin National Park (Decree No. 1036 of 3 March 1976, Ministry of Forestry). The park was extended again in 1987 to its present size (Decree No. 1036 of 17 November, Committee of Environmental Protection at the Council of Ministers.

Baevi Doubki Natural Reserve was established in 1934, extended in 1976 and renamed Baevi Doupki-Djindjiritza Reserve in 1979. It lies within Pirin National Park and was internationally recognised as a Biosphere Reserve under UNESCO\'s Man and the Biosphere Programme in 1977. Pirin National Park was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1983.

AREA 40,060ha, includes Baevi Doupki-Djindjiritza Reserve (2,873ha) and Malka Djindjeritsa and Segmen Tepe Reserve (339ha).

LAND TENURE State owned

ALTITUDE 1,000m to 2,915m (Vihren)

PHYSICAL FEATURES The mountains are mostly composed of granites and slates; local areas of limestone lie between the summits of Vikhren and Kaminitza, as well as in the central part of Pirin. The high mountain peaks and crags of Pirin are the remains of an old Miocene peneplain. The mountain ridges are generally of early Pliocene age but in some localities between 1,200m-1,600m are of old Pliocene age. The denudation of the area occurred more widely during the Quaternary period when the snow cover descended to 2,200m-2,300m. Limestone rocks, marble, south Bulgarian granites etc., karst formations, and typical glacial features (over 70 glacial lakes, deep valleys, cirques, crags etc.) arepresent. Pirin Mountain stretches from north-west to south-east between the valleys of the Rivers Strouma and Mesta. There are many rivers and waterfalls.

CLIMATE Winter in the upper parts is cold and long with snow cover remaining for five to eight months. Summer is cool and short. The town of Sandanski situated in the Pirin foothill at 190m, has a mean January temperature of 2.4°C while the temperature at higher altitudes drop well below -10°C. Mean annual temperature at lower altitudes is 14°C and less than 2°C at higher levels. Rainfall varies from 550-60mm at low altitude to 1100mm or more at higher altitudes.

VEGETATION The presence of limestone rocks, the southerly position of the range and close proximity to the Aegean, coupled with its relative isolation, have made Pirin Mountain an important refuge. Forests in the park are mainly coniferous with endemic Macedonian pine Pinus peuce being widespread and forming the treeline in the granite part of the mountain. Endemic Bossnian pine Pinus heldreichii occurs in the highest zone of the karst area. Unique stands of Pinus peuce and P. leucodermis, up to 250-300 years old and 30-45m high, are found in Baiouvi Doupki-Djindjiritsa Reserve. Some individual P. leucodermis trees are over 500 years old. Silver fir Abies alba, Austrian pine Pinus nigra, spruce Picea abies, Scots pine Pinus silvestris, and beech Fagus sylvatica form a mixed coniferous forest type. Generally, the treeline has developed as a result of man\'s interference over a long period and descends as low as 2,000m, but in some places reaches 2,200m-2,300m. In the subalpine zone there are thickets of dwarf mountain pine Pinus mugo and Juniperus sibirica. Above 2,400m-2,600m is a layer of alpine meadows, stony slopes, screes, rocks etc. The flora of Pirin, comprising as it does many rare species, is of great interest and beauty. One of the most active flora speciations in Bulgaria is situated in the limestone part of the mountain. Pirin has a mixture of central European, Alpine, Balkan mountain and Sub-Mediterranean species, but in addition there are (about 30 local endemic species). There are about 70 Bulgarian endemic species, over 10% of vascular plants of Pirin are Balkan endemics, and about 20% of all plant species in the Bulgarian Red Data Book are found in the park.

FAUNA There is a wide variety of animal species including many endemic species and glacial relicts among the invertebrate fauna. Threatened bird and mammal species include brown bear Ursus arctos, grey wolf Canis lupus (V), pine marten Martes martes, rock marten Martes foina, polecat Mustela putorius, badger Meles meles, otter Lutra lutra (V), wild cat Felis silvestris, red deer Cervus elaphus, roe deer Capreolus capreolus, wild boar Sus scrofa, Balkan chamois Rupicapra rupicapra balcanica (I), golden eagle Aquila chrysaetos, capercaillie Tetrao urogallus, hazel grouse Bonasa bonasia, eagle owl Bubo bubo, black woodpecker Dryocopus martius and three-toed woodpecker Picoides trydactilus.

LOCAL HUMAN POPULATION No information

VISITORS AND VISITOR FACILITIES Accommodation for 3,300 visitors is available along tourist routes. Convenient roads lead to the park along the valley of the Strouma River, and the southern boundary of the park is also accessible by road. The park receives between 300,000-500,000 visitors annually, there is no entrance fee (J.Thorsell, 1992).

SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH AND FACILITIES Botanical investigations have been carried out in the nature reserve by the Institute of Botany, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences. A research team of two zoologists and a botanist carry out observations. A new administrationbuilding with information centre and natural history exhibition and five research stations are planned, as well as the establishment of a scientific council.

CONSERVATION VALUE This Balkan mountain landscape contains about 70 glacial lakes, waterfalls, caves and pine forests, and a rich flora containing many endemic plant species.

CONSERVATION MANAGEMENT The area has a management plan and is under an effective management regime. There are five different management zones: nature reserve zone where human activity is prohibited; tourism, recreation and sport zone; a primitive nature zone at about 2,000m altitude where no construction is allowed and only traditional managed pastoral activities are permitted; and a zone above 2,000m altitude where the natural environment is slightly modified. In order to prevent unauthorised camping, it is proposed to renovate existing chalets and build new ones and two camp sites along tourist routes. Ski slopes and lifts have been constructed at Chiligarnika-Tadorna, above the town of Bansko. To date four slopes, two chair lifts and two t-bar lifts have been constructed. Recreation sites with benches and fountains etc have been installed along tourist routes. The park comprises an ecological/recreational zone surrounded by a buffer zone beyond the perimeter.

MANAGEMENT CONSTRAINTS Human interference occurs in the area near the chair lifts and especially in the regions of Banderishka Poljana and Tzarna Mogilla. Litter is a problem around the huts and ski lifts. Pollution also emanates from a cellulose mill in Razlog.

STAFF Total 36 (J.Thorsell, in litt., 1992) including administrative, control, reserve and park management personnel, three university-trained scientists. Seasonal staff include part-time wardens, fire watchers, afforestation workers and 6 construction workers (undated information).

BUDGET A general account for financing the organisation of the park at 2,000,000 Leva (J.Thorsell, in litt., 1992) has been established. Additional funds are raised for individual small-scale projects (undated information).

LOCAL ADDRESS

Pirin National Park, 2770 Bansko, ul. Bulgaria 4, Bulgaria (Tel: 07443/24-28,Fax 07443/22-40). Official website click there