Eastern Rhodopes, Sakar, Western Strandzha Mountains
Southeast Bulgaria
Restoring nature from the Iron Curtain to Green Belt
Tucked away in south-eastern Bulgaria, the Eastern Rhodopes, Sakar and Strandzha Mountains are positioned along the Via Pontica, Europe’s second-largest route for migratory birds. Once cut off by the Iron Curtain, today, this remote landscape is a refuge for wildlife, including 81 species listed on the IUCN Red List, as well as 60% of the raptors in Europe.
But unsustainable land use has already damaged Strandzha’s forests and severely reduced grassland areas through rampant ploughing and indiscriminate clearing of shrubs and trees. On top of this, climate change is wreaking havoc, bringing more frequent droughts and devastating wildfires. The Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds (BSPB), BirdLife’s Partner in Bulgaria, is actively working to restore the region’s ecological balance.
Our Future Vision
Eastern Rhodopes, Sakar and the Western Strandzha’s ecosystems are resilient and able to withstand wildfires and recover from the impacts of climate change. Resident and migratory birds have a safe harbour as natural and semi-natural environments are fully restored and protected. The ponds scattered throughout the landscape support thriving populations of reptiles, amphibians, birds, and mammals. Forests are flourishing with new saplings, hosting a healthy population of raptors. Grasslands are preserved through sustainable grazing and conservation, ensuring the area’s food chain and natural resources are restored.
THE DELTA AT A GLANCE
300+
Species
5+
Habitat types
545,500
Hectares
Habitat types
Forests, grasslands, pastures, freshwater habitats, shrubland with steppe elements
Key Species
Eastern Imperial Eagle (Aquila heliaca), Egyptian vulture (Neophron percnopterus), Cinereous vulture (Aegypius monachus), Griffon Vulture (Gyps fulvus) Balkan Crested Newt (Triturus ivanbureschi), Mouse-Tailed Dormouse (Myomimus roachi), Greek Tortoise (Testudo graeca), Poplar Trees (Populus alba, P. nigra), native Oak Trees (Quercus cerris, Q.pubescens, Q. frainetto)
Designations
Special Protected Area (SPA)
Main causes of degradation
Wildfires, unsustainable land management, intensive agriculture, aridification, vegetation clearing, climate change
Our plan: Restoring the Delta for nature, people, and the planet
- Restore native woodland by replacing 3,000 hectares of coniferous plantationswith fire-resistant native species to boost climate resilience.
- Enhance pasture management across 700 hectares by promoting sustainable grazing and shrubland management schemes.
- Strengthen land management across 550,000 hectares of land across the region, ensuring long-term sustainability for both wildlife and local communities.
- Create wildlife corridors by establishing a network of natural and semi-natural habitats that connect different protected areas, allowing species to move freely across the landscape.
- Reintroduce endemic species,and improve the conservation status of key amphibians, reptiles, andother fauna to restore balance to the region’s ecosystems.
- Support a sustainable rural economy that protects soil health, prevents erosion, and supports the decline of pollinators.
“The restoration of Sakar, Western Strandzha, and the Eastern Rhodopes is key to preserving one of Europe’s last biodiversity refuges. By focusing on reforestation, sustainable land management, and wildlife corridors, we are not just protecting endangered species, we are building resilience against climate change.”Svetoslav Spasov – Project Manager at BSPB
