Short description of the best practice

A total of 19.45 ha of forest areas affected by the mass dissemination of spruce woodworms (calamity) were restored on the territory of the National Vitosha Park within the framework of the Project. In parallel with the afforestations made, care (growing and filling up) was taken of the created new forests by Initiative Group
(IG) Vitosha. Sowing material was yieled aimed at the provision of planting material from valuable local geno-types for the restoration of the forest eco-systems in the park, from which 38 000 two-year saplings were already grown up. The needed care measures (clearing, digging up, lighting, filling up and so on) were undertaken fpr each of the afforested areas for two years. This guaranteed the optimal development of the young forest and the sustainability of the plantations in the future. Growing related measures were undertaken for the overall duration of the Project in more than 40 ha on the territory of National Vitosha Park. |

Location

Natural Viosha Park - Vitosha is the first national park not only in Bulgaria and the Balkan Peninsula.It is surrounded by Sofia Valley from the north, southwest and Pernik Smokovskata the southeast.|

If the location has well defined boundaries, specify its extension in hectares:

311, 28 sq. km.|

Brief description of the natural environment within the specified location.

Vitosha is unique! For it is written, many with admiration and respect! However, visiting her, every time we find something new and unknown. The longest cave in Bulgaria, the vast plant diversity, unique stone rivers, abundance of water proximity to the capital explain the interest in it. Fully law-here is the first manifestation of organized tourism in the country, prompted by patriotic Aleko Konstantinov. Today the mountain enjoys the largest flow of tourists in our country.|
In the past, are listed dominated deciduous forests, which have climbed more than today, and birch was the most - greater participation. Beech and coniferous forests were not yet available. The next historical stage are formed with vertical forest belts gorskodarvesen composition similar to today. Following intensive human activity, Vitosha has changed considerably more than our other mountains.
Mountain is located in the center of southwestern Bulgaria between the Balkan and Rila-Rhodopes. It is the only mountain bowl at home, and the ridge is formed by the highest and located close to each other peaks - Black Peak and Reznyovete. Typical of it are stone rivers formed by the weathering of rocks and slowly move towards the valleys due to gravity of the flowing water.|

Prevailing socio-economic conditions of those living in the location and/or nearby

Action
Plan for the restoration and the preservation of the forest eco-systems on the territory of National Vitosha Park was developed within the framework of the Project. GIS model was
elaborated for the affected spruce forests in National Vitosha Park as well.
The project bears no tangible benefits but create successful partnerships were created as a reset of the implementation of the Project amonit the state institutions, the business, NGOs and the public for the preservation of nature.|
A total of 19.45 ha of forest areas affected by the

On the basis of which criteria and/or indicator(s) (not related to The Strategy) the proposed practice and corresponding technology has been considered as 'best'?

Essential criteria:
- Restoring and maintaining sustainable forest ecosystems;

Main problems addressed by the best practice

no information

Outline specific land degradation problems addressed by the best practice

If destroyed forests were not recovered, would arise a serious problem with land degradation in arid forest teritriy.|

Specify the objectives of the best practice

- Recovered from woodworms dead spruce forests in the park;
- Prevention of land degradation in affected forest areas in the park;
- Developed plan for restoration and conservation of forest ecosystems in the park;
- Created a GIS model for affected spruce forests in the National park Vitosha;
- Built informatsinnen portal aimed at providing current information about the condition of forests in a park Vitosha;
- Distributed a large number of information materials - newsletters, stickers, flyers.|

Brief description of main activities, by objective

A total of 19.45 ha of forest areas affected by the mass dissemination of spruce woodworms (calamity) were restored on the territory of the National Vitosha Park within the framework of the Project.
The needed care measures (clearing,digging up, lighting, filling up and so on) were undertaken fpr each of the afforested areas for two years. This guaranteed the optimal development of the young forest and the sustainability
of the plantations in the future.|
In parallel with the afforestationsmade, care (growing and filling up) was taken of the created new forests by  initiative Group (IG) Vitosha. |
Sowing material was yieled aimed at the provision of planting material from valuable local geno-types for the restoration of the forest eco-systems in the park, from which 38 000 two-year saplings were already grown up.|

Name and address of the institution developing the technology

"Initiative group Vitosha"|Sofia
St. „Neofit Rilski” N 56, ap. 1
e-mail: t.todorov@pdm-services.org
www.vitoshagroup.org

Was the technology developed in partnership?

Yes

List the partners:

Successful partnerships were created as a reset of the implementation of the Project amonit the state institutions, the business, NGOs and the public for the preservation of nature.|

Specify the framework within which the technology was promoted

• National initiative – non-government-led
• Programme/project-based initiative

Specify:

Action Plan for the restoration and the preservation of the forest eco-systems on the territory of National Vitosha Park was developed within the framework of the Project. GIS model was elaborated for the affected spruce forests in National Vitosha Park as well.

Was the participation of local stakeholders, including CSOs, fostered in the development of the technology?

Yes

List local stakeholders involved:

With the participation of businesses, NGOs and the public about conservation.|

For the stakeholders listed above, specify their role in the design, introduction, use and maintenance of the technology, if any.

Their role in the project: deployment, use and maintenance of technology.|

Was the population living in the location and/or nearby involved in the development of the technology?

No

Describe on-site impacts (the major two impacts by category)

no
Restoration of dry forest areas in the Vitosha National Park, which with its vast plant diversity, unique stone rivers, abundance of water and proximity to the capital is a unique place for tourism, recreation and sport.|
A total of 19.45 ha of forest areas affected by the
mass dissemination of spruce woodworms (calamity) were restored on the territory of the National Vitosha Park within the framework of the Project.
Sowing material was yieled aimed at the provision of planting material from valuable local geno-types for the restoration of the forest eco-systems in the park, from which 38 000 two-year saplings were already grown up. |
Sowing material was yieled aimed at the provision of planting material from valuable local geno-types for the restoration of the forest eco-systems in the park, from which 38 000 two-year saplings were already grown up.|

Describe the major two off-site (i.e. not occurring in the location but in the surrounding areas) impacts

no
The project implementation has a positive effect on stabilizing the ecosystem of the region through preservation and maintenance of biodiversity.

Impact on biodiversity and climate change

Explain the reasons:

Implementation of the project has an indirect impact on climate change and adaptation.
The project implementation has a positive effect on stabilizing the ecosystem of the region through preservation and maintenance of biodiversity, by planting 19.45 ha of forest areas affected by the mass dissemination of spruce woodworms (calamity) were restored on the territory of the National Vitosha Park within the framework of the Project.|

Has a cost-benefit analysis been carried out?

Has a cost-benefit analysis been carried out?

No

Was the technology disseminated/introduced to other locations?

Was the technology disseminated/introduced to other locations?

No

Were incentives to facilitate the take up of the technology provided?

Were incentives to facilitate the take up of the technology provided?

Yes

Specify which type of incentives:

• Policy or regulatory incentives (for example, related to market requirements and regulations, import/export, foreign investment, research & development support, etc)
• Financial incentives (for example, preferential rates, State aid, subsidies, cash grants, loan guarantees, etc)

Can you identify the three main conditions that led to the success of the presented best practice/technology?

The strong motivation of participants to preserve the biological wealth in Vitosha Nature Park and to protect the environment as a whole.
Technology to be applied in other affected forest territory.
Political and financial support.

Replicability

In your opinion, the best practice/technology you have proposed can be replicated, although with some level of adaptation, elsewhere?

Yes

At which level?

• Local
• Sub-national
• National

Related to human resources

Yes, there is strong motivation for young ecologists of civil, scientific and NGO organizations.|

Related to financial aspects

The funds are very limited and minimized in terms of the economic crisis.

Related to technical aspects

Yes, there are good technical opportunities for implementing projects.|