The implementation of this project will be capitalized on the experience and efforts of the Small Grants Programme of the GEF and its partner organizations to solve specific problems for the conservation of globally significant biodiversity and sustainable use of natural resources in the municipalities of Devin and Borino .
Despite considerable efforts and resources aimed at reducing poaching, this negative phenomenon still occurs in the territory managed by ?Association of Hunters and Anglerers? Devin. Some of the poachers' activities are driven by old habits and attitudes among the representatives of the local inhabitants, formed in the absence of effective controls and rules years ago. Others are dictated by motives related to prevention or decreasing of damage caused by protected species such as brown bear, otter and others. on the farms and livestock. Illegal activities associated with the destruction of species with high conservation priority and their habitats is further

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conditioned by lack of information among the local population. Missing information and good examples concerns the qualitative and quantitative aspects of natural resource available to the region and possibilities for their effective use in order to achieve economic development. In this respect there is a strong need for specific information and examples of good opportunities and mechanisms for sustainable use of natural resources of the municipalities of Devin and Borino. It is important to note that the whole concept for conservation and management of protected areas Natura 2000 is based on the participation of local people and promoting sustainable use of resources in areas. The scope of the municipalities covered by protected areas Natura 2000 "Trigrad-Mursalitsa" and "Persenk" reserves "Kastraklii", "Starata gora", "Shabanitsa", "Kazanite" protected areas "Chairski Ezera", "Devinska River Valley "and others. In the teritory of the municipalities are found about 141 species of nesting birds of which 21 are included in the Red Book of Bulgaria and 68 species and their habitats are endangered or vulnerable and subject to conservation.

Here is the "Valley of the Butterflies," which has the presence of important populations of butterflies and insects, as well as many rare plant species / many of them endemic species /, including brown bear, Balkan chamois, otter, golden eagle and capercaillie which are listed in the Red List of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

The aim of this project is to ensure sustainable conservation and management priority and globally important species and their habitats through implementation of innovative methods for protection and creating of a model infrastructure in order to increase the involvement of local communities and visitors in the municipalities of Devin and Borino .
In this regard, we plan to strengthen the capacity of the control structures of Association of Hunters and Anglerers - Devin with technical expertise to implement the Biodiversity Act and enhance the conservation of priority species and their habitats. Pilot model infrastructure the for the conservation of globally significant species (bear, and otter) is planned to created in order to reduce the damage caused by them on local farms. To achieve the goals we envisage organizing and conducting training on the implementation of environmental legislation, development of experimental electronic system for registration of poaching, creating ekopatruli (rangers), creation, promotion and use of "green phone". Joint inspections (checks) together with the staff of ?Regional Inspectorate of Environment and Water? Smolyan, ?Police district unit? Devin and ?State forestry enterprise? Trigrad will be carried out in order to enhance implemention of game conservation and biodiversity conservation legislation. We plan to prepare a proposal for ?areas free of hunting". A key aspect of the project will work on improving the nutritional base of the brown bear, implementation and promotion of measures to prevent damages of otters.
The contribution of the project to SGP niche for Bulgaria is to conserve biodiversity and prevent poaching of globally important species in protected areas and zones as well as conservation of biodiversity in protected areas and through advocacy at the local level, dissemination of information increase awareness among the fishermen, hunters, hoteliers and others hunting and fishing associations in the country stable and suitable for the multiplication of local demonstrations.

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