The region of Varshetz is famous with its Biodiversity (according to Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, BAS)/, 136 species of birds and 7 protected plant species are registered. With in a radius of only 50 kilometers around Varshetz there are 9 globally protected birds and animal species and 1 plant /BAS, Boev, 2005). They are included in the Red Book for endangered species of the International Union for Clean Nature (IUCN). These are Acrocephalus paludicola, Crex Crex, Dryomys nitedula, Falco cherug, Glis glis, Lutra lutra, Muscardinus avellanarius, Nanospalax leucodon, Sciurus vulgaris and the global protected species ? Acer heldreichii Orph. ex Boiss. ssp. visianii H. Maly; Campanula lanata Friv; Campanula transsilvanica Schur ex Andrae; Centaurea bovina Velen; Chamaecytisus kovacevii (Velen.) Rothm, Satureja rumelica Velen and Seseli degenii Urum. This natural resource of Varshetz for developing the eco-tourism is still seriously underestimated. The local people is not aware and does not show any interest in using the available different natural resources for profit generating.
During the 60s of the last century Varshetz is a popular place for cheap recreation tourism with more than 140 000 tourists annual, 11% of which were sheltered in private residential houses, for a comparison, in 2005, their number is only 5 000.
In 2005-2006, financed by SAPARD; PHARE; BSA and Beautiful Bulgaria projects, repairs of the road infrastructure were started. The private investors showed an increased interest in 2005 too , resulting in 3 and 4 stars hotels being built, as well as houses for guests and old facilities being modernized. The policy of the local authorities is also directed towards developing the eco-tourism /Sustainable development strategy fro the municipality of Varshetz) /UNDP ? 2003/; Municipality Action Plan /A Strategy for Economic Development of the Municipality of Varshetz, Marketing and Comm. Strategies/MLSP ? 2006г./.
The detailed research carried out at the preliminary stage of the Project Development identified the following groups of problems:
? Total unawareness for the market potential offered by the Biodiversity of the area
? Lack of supporting infrastructure for the eco- routes
? Lack of developed eco-tourist package offers containing a variation of different products and attractions.
? Lack of eco-awareness and innovation approach in the new construction of guest houses.
In the process of overcoming the infrastructure, deficiencies a fast and adequate action for informing, motivating, teaching and building up a higher environmental awareness in the local people as well as in protecting the Varshetz?s biological variety.
That is why the main purpose of the presented Demo Project for developing the Eco-tourism in the Municipality of Varshetz is to stimulate the developing of eco-tourism in the municipality by capitalizing the available Biodiversity in the region.
The Bulgarian Biodiversity Foundation will make a research for biodiversity in Monastery wood. Preparing of an expert proposal to reduce a defended territory according to the law for Protecting area and the Recommendations for sustainable management of the natural fond. The sustainability of the project will be reached.
It?s stipulated to build up a supporting infrastructure with architectural elements in two eco-paths and interpreted: 10 interpretative boards / positioned in front of the TIC, The Klisura Monastery and the 2 eco paths / other boards and recorded sounds from globally protected species.
The project includes the development of 2 tourist packages ? for the week and the weekend, which will be offered to the tourist agencies and to the owners of houses for guest. It is also planned to offer 2 new attractions ? eco-photo safari and professionally guided tours.
In the process of increasing building activity , this project provides opportunities for the future investors to follow also the Ecotur model for energy efficient house for guests in which two eco-innovations are implemented (using of a renewable energy source through solar batteries and a system for catcing and recirculation of rain water ).