The Geopark Idea in Bulgaria. Present Stay and Future Potential

Radoslav Nakov, Todor Todorov

The Belogradchik Rocks – The Natural symbol of Bulgaria

International Conference “The Earth and Human Potentials” ,

October 31st – November 2nd , 2012, Astana

Tectonic Position of Bulgaria in the Balkan - Eastern Mediterranean Tectonic Belts – resulting from collision in Alpine time (from ~ 250 m.y. to present)

Black Sea

Carpathians

Balkanides

D I n a r I d e s

P o n t I d e s

Aegean Sea

T a u r I d e s

Moesian Platform

Pannonian BasinAlps

Eastern MediterraneanH e l l e n I d e s

Neotectonic setting of the Southern Balkans and Bulgaria

The Alpine Orogen of Southeast Europe splits in two on the Balkans. The Northern Branch consists of the Carpathian and the Balkanide Fold-thrust Belts. The Southern Branch consists of the Dinarides-Albanides-Hellenides Belt. Bulgaria belongs to the Northern Branch of the orogen.

Rock geology of BulgariaAlthough small (110 000 km2) Bulgaria encloses the remains of various Phanerozoic and older rock complexes and terraines . The Paleozoic terraines are mainly of Peri-Gondwana origin and were docked to Europe, before the latest Carboniferous. They were heavily reworked in Alpine time. The Mesozoic evolution is marked by the opening and closing of several marginal Peri-Thetys basins.

Geomorphology and neotectonic features

Miocene - Quaternary and active structures are extensively developed throughout Bulgaria and the Southern Balkan. Undergoing active extension is forming a system of horsts and grabens, similar to well-known extensional systems, like the Western United States.

Much of the present-day morphology is the immediate result of neotectonic events. In many places the topography is the direct result of expression of very young and active extensional structures

Active faults and relief building

The Iskur gorge – 1500 m entrenched into the Balkan Range

Fault

Rila Mountain 2925 m

The active Predela Fault

Vitosha Mountain 2290 m

Sofia Graben 550 m

2915 m Vihren Peak

Protected geosites in Bulgaria

The richness of different various rocks, rock sequences, structural events and intensive present-day relief building has led to the occurrence of different in type geosites of both special scientific and aesthetic interests. They are split all over the country

Nature and Geoconservation in Bulgaria – a historical review

In 1927 an Union of Native Nature Protection was created.The first two reserves were declared in 1933In 1936 was proclaimed the first Bulgarian National Park, which is one of the first on the Balkans.

Present-day legislation; List of protected geosites

• In 1998 a new legislation related only to the preserved territories was adopted. According to it the preserved territories were divided into 6 categories: Reserves, National parks, Natural beauty spots, Supported reserves, Natural parks, and, Preserved sites. Four categories are of significance for the geosites. However, the geosites have little place in the text of the law. Nothing is mentioned about geoparks.

• The first list of geological heritage in Bulgaria was published in 1964 and 55 geological sites were included in it. Ten years later, in 1974, they became 224 and now stands at over 360.

List of the protected geosites

• Caves 107• water- falls73• ground “pyramids” 6• rock “pyramides” 44• upright rocks 4• rock “mushrooms” 4• karst valleys and canyons 12• rock bridges 18

• single rocks of specific feature 65

• lakes, marshes and limans 20• dunes 17• fossil site 12• karst springs 9• upright rock columns 4• other (moraines, palaeo -

volcanoes; mineral occurrences, etc.) 3

The different groups of geosites are quite irregularly represented. With few exceptions, these are mainly sites with geomorphological features. Only 5% are geosites of Special Scientific Importance

Belogradchik 1998 – announcement of UNESCO Geopark Program

During the ProGEO annual meeting the concept of UNESCO GEOPARK Program was firstly advertised and the idea for the creation of geoparks was adopted by the Bulgarian geologists. Potential geoparks are under active consideration, based mainly on the national Framework list.

The UNESCO Geopark Concept:

• A UNESCO Geoparks is a territory with well-defined limits and comprises a number of geological heritage sites of special scientific importance, rarity or beauty

• It may not be solely of geological significance but also of archaeological, ecological, historical or cultural value

• The sites are linked to one another in a formally managed park-type situation

• The Geopark is run by designated authority which adopts its own territorial policy for sustainable regional socio-economic development

European and Global Network of Geoparks

As a result of further development in 2000th was created the European Network of Geoparks. Since 2001st it is under the auspices of UNESCO. Presently 52 Geoparks from 18 European countries are included in this Network. This very impressive Geopark concept found further development and the Global Network of Geoparks was launched in 2004th.

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Unfortunately, up to date no European geoparks have been created in Bulgaria. However, potential geoparks are under active consideration.

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Research projects in Bulgaria as a base for geopark creation

During 2001-2003 was accomplished the project “Register and Cadastre of the Bulgarian geological phenomena”. More than 200 geological sites have been described in details and registered in a data base form, using a unified registration form for evaluation.

A first project on geconservation “The Geological Heritage of Bulgaria: sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSI)”, was accomplished during 1996-2000

Unfortunately all projects aiming the creation of a European Geopark were not supported by the responsible state institutions

In 2005 was published a framework list of the Bulgarian geosites

All these project as well as numerous publications provide a significant scientific base for the creation of geoparks.

Since 2010 started the project “Scientific ground for the creation of Belogradchik Geopark”

In 2002 a project with the financial support of PHARE created some geotrails in a spectacular carstic area, declaring it as the first Bulgarian geopark. However, this territory has neither administrative, neither legal bases and is difficult to be considered as a geopark or even as a protected territory.

Geopark Iskar-Zlatna Panega ?

Does it exist really??

Presently, only this old inscription reminds for this “Geopark”

Potential Geopark: The Iskur Gorge – an over 1500 m entrenched river with spectacular geology and landscape

General view The rock pinnacle “Djuglata”

Triassic sectionn Carboniferous flora

Potential Geopark: Melnik Rock Pinnacles of southeast Bulgaria, erosional landscape formed in continental Neogene sediments.

Photo Dr. Milovanovich

Potential Geopark: Pobitite Kamani (Dikili tash) (the upright stone columns) - a spectacular natural and geological phenomena subject of severe scientific discussions and surrounded by a unique landscape, built up in Paleogene sediments.

Potential geopark:

The southern Bulgarian Black Sea coast, with spectacular geosites showing the evolution of the Late Cretaceous subduction-related arc-system with an initial back-arc rifting.

Bulgarovo pillow-lavas complexe – Over 4000 m thick

Banevo Palaeovolcano

Potential Geopark: The Belogradchik Rocks with the Magura cave

The 3.5 km long Magura cave with unique Neolithic paintings

Erosional Landscape in Lower Triassic red beds

Some years ago Belogradchik area was proposed to become part of the European Network of Geoparks, but it was rejected, as one of the basic requirement to have a designated authority was not met. In 2011 a new campaign to turn the area into a Geopark started again, but so far is not successful, due to the existing legislation. However, Belogradchik won the recognition as “Natural Symbol of Bulgaria” in a national investigation

The general overview of all discussed areas is completed by the required numerous historical, archeological, cultural

and biological sites.

The Madara Horseman – a UNESCO Monument

Some of the Bulgarian geosites represent a combination of sites of geological and biological interest (like some lakes on the Black Sea cost, National Parks Rila and Pirin,etc.), however they are under protection mainly for their significance for the biodiversity.

Multi valuable protected natural site

National Park Pirin a UNESCO site

Some other sites having mainly historical value are include in the UNESCO World Heritage List, but they have also a value as geological

sites in a broad sense.

Ivanovo rock churches – a UNESCO World monument

Varna NecropolisThe oldest gold artifacts of the world – 5000 B.C.A discovery on the black Sea coast – is it related to the flooding of the Black Sea?

Final Notes:

Bulgaria:Bulgaria has a divers and rich geological heritage.The creation of national geoparks is considered by the geological community as a very important goal and several prospective areas are regarded as potential geoparks.Unfortunately, the main obstacle for the creation of national Geoparks is the lack of understanding from the state authorities and the national legislation. However, we believe Bulgaria will have its geoparks soon!

General conclusions:The creation of geoparks not only enlarges the opportunities for tourism in new areas as well as in such with already established touristic interest, but also contributes to the sustainable development. The experience from the last decade shows the economic and cultural profit from their existence.In difference to other protected areas, the Geoparks do not impose significant restrictions on the environment and for this reason may easily be accepted by the local people (farmers, wood industry, mining industry, etc.)

Thank you for your attention!Спасибо за Ваше внимание и

гостепреимство !

Cultural tourism and wine-tasting in support to geoparks

Todor Todorov – ProGEO Past President