Anthropogenic impact on the territory of Game Breeding Station "Shiroka Poliana" has increased after 2000. According to some preliminary studies more than 15000 tourists (fishermen, environmentalist, outdoor and extreme tourism, wild fruits and mushrooms collectors ) visit the region annually. Big part of these people remain for camping on the territory of the GBS and in protected territories in particularly thus violating their protected status. Unauthorised presence of so many people as well as the lack of any infrastructure and particular management do result in a negative impact on the rich biodiversity and natural endowments of the territory.
With the elaboration and construction of some suitable infrastructure the project aims at mitigating the negative impact of the increasing number of visitors on the biodiversity and protected territories of the region and hence more effective use of its recreational potentials. It is expected that with the establishment and the management of tourist infrastructure by the state authorities of the GBS "Shiroka Poliana" the project will enhance the engagement of the state authorities with the issues related to sustainable use of the natural resources in the region.
The budget of the project totals to BGN 112'040, of which BGN 55'920 is the amount requested from GEF SGP Bulgaria. A total of BGN 56'120 is secured co-financing from project partners, of which BGN 34'070 as direct financial contribution and BGN 22'050 as in-kind contribution. Co-financing is secured mainly through the financial contributions of GBS "Shiroka Poliana" ? BGN 23'620 and Municipality of Batak ? 10'000. The contribution of the implementing organization ? Biodiversity Preservation Society is amounting to BGN 8'850 ? in-kind and 450 BGN - financial.