The elaboration of the current project is initiated from the necessity of effective conservation of the Spur-Thigh and Spur-tailed tortoises and other globally threatened species and their habitats in the Eminska Mountain region. The region is very rich in biodiversity. It is the easternmost part of the 700-kilometre long Balkan Range, terminating at Cape Emine and the waters of the Black Sea. It is a significant ?stepping stone? biocorridor for the distribution of thermophilic reptilian and amphibian species. There are 17 species of global significance, included in IUCN Red list - 7 mammals: Grey hamster, Forest dormouse, Fat dormouse, Common dormouse, Mouse-tailed dormouse, Lesser mole rat, and European souslik; 2 birds: Greater Spotted Eagle and Pallid Harrier; 4 reptiles: Leopard Snake, European pond turtle, Spur-tailed tortoise, and Spur-Thigh tortoise, 1 amphibian: European Fire-bellied Toad, and 2 insects: Rosalia Alpina and Licaena. There are five protected areas in the

+ View more

region (Irakli, Ortoto, Kalinata, Smrikite), one Nature Landmark (Cape Emine), and two protected zones, part of the Natura2000 Network - Emine and Emine-Irakli. Eminska Mountain is designated as an Important Bird Area and Important Herpetological Area. It is a habitat of the species, included in the appendixes 2 of Biological Diversity Act,: Rosalia Alpina, Dannube herring, Black Sea Herring, Black Sea Shad, European Fire-bellied Toad, Spur-tailed tortoise, Spur-thigh tortoise, European pond turtle, Leopard Snake, Eastern four-lined Snake, Common otter. The territory to the west and to the north of Cape Emine, including the Irakli protected area, is designated as Corine Biotop Site.
During the project implementation priority conservation measures will be performed for the preservation of the Spur-thighed and Spur-tailed tortoise. As being globally endangered, they are included in the IUCN Red List in the following categories: T. graeca - vulnerable, T. hermanni ? low risk and in the Bern Convention, Council Directive 92/43/EEC and CITES. The tortoises are under the strict protection of the Bulgarian legislation by the Biological Diversity Act, Appendixes 1 and 3.
There has been significantly increased investments in the resort construction in Bulgaria for the last 10-15 years. Under particular threat is the Black Sea Biogeographic Region and its habitats, where irreversible damages to biodiversity have been already caused by construction of new huge resort complexes, golf courses, hotels, and wind generators. Apart from the direct destruction, the remaining tortoises are becoming victims of illegal trade and collection from tourists. The great number of tourist attractions in the nature are often the cause of nests and eggs destruction. Only urgent measures for saving the remained habitats and survived tortoises from the territories, which are to be partly or totally destroyed, could prevent from total extinction both kind of land tortoises in the Coastal region. The huge investing interest significantly increases the pressure over the state and municipal authorities, the corruption risk and impede the effective natural resources conservation actions. Performing effective conservation measurements and developing awareness in local communities of nature-friendly and sustainable natural resources management is important to limit the threats to biodiversity.
This project will develop and implement an innovative ecotourist product, based on conserving the biodiversity and the natural characteristics of the habitats and giving the opportunity for natural long-term development. the project includes two main directions: 1. Development and promoting an eco-tourist product for conservation of globally endangered species; 2. Prevention air pollution through stimulating alternative energy sources. The project is elaborated in accordance with the GEF Small Grants Program niche definite as Strategy aim 1 and 2 through the foreseeing eco-tourist initiatives in the local community generating incomes and preserving biological diversity. The project is also elaborated in accordance with the GEF SGP niche definite as Strategy aim 3 through demonstrating renewable energy sources for limiting the overall used in households solid fuel and electricity; informing and consulting about the problems of climate change.

- Hide