7. Factors for Preservation of the Bulgarian Nature Heritage
The preservation of Bulgaria’s nature heritage requires new ecological consciousness and culture on behalf of all social strata, to find its expression in:
(1) Efficient long-term governmental policies on nature resources and environment, based on scientific foundation, employing the experience of ecologically advanced countries and subject to public control; only the latter could guarantee the formation and practical implementation of such policies.
(2) Upgrading the authority and independence of the state Committee for Environmental Protection, which should become directly responsible to the National Assembley.
(3) Development of a diversified network of independent environmentalist groups and organizations, as well as active commitment of other non-governmental organizations to nature conservation.
(4) Implementation of particular projects jointly with the WWF, the IUCN and other international and national organizations. Such projects of world significance may provide for assessment of the present condition and complex measures for preserving the nature of the Western Rhodopes, the high Bulgarian mountains Rila, Pirin and Vitosha, as well as the Black Sea ‘longoz’ forests, to be financed through debt-for-nature swaps and fund raising among Bulgarian institutions and individuals.
(5) Joint inter-Balkan projects for preservation of the nature heritage in border areas.
(6) Active participation in preserving the nature heritage in other countries, the World Ocean and the Antarctic.
