A new Information and Nature Conservation Centre
on the Bulgarian Black Sea Coast
The construction by the Foundation “Le Balkan-Bulgaria”, of an
Information centre near Durankulak Lake represents a
significant initiative for the Bulgarian Dobrudja. The Lake Durankulak is a Wetland of
International Importance, listed under the Convention on Wetlands (signed in Ramsar, Iran, 1971), where the world population of the globally threatened
Red-breasted Goose (Branta ruficollis) winters and, in this connection,
the construction of the Center is one of the most important tasks of “Le Balkan”.
The Center is a 2-storey building, of a total built-up area of 532
m2, in the traditional Bulgarian architectural style (cf. photo).
It is located close to the Lake proper, not far
from the international motorway, at 5 km from the Romanian border (cf. photo).
According to the design on the ground floor there will be office
(administrative) premises, a refreshment room (bar), a room for the guards,
five research laboratories, one apartment, one living room, WC, shops, a
storeroom, a terrace and a multi-purpose hall with 50 seats with a little
exhibition hall for drawings. On the second floor the design envisages to have
three working rooms (offices) each one with a WC/bathroom of its own, two
bedrooms for guests WC/bathrooms en-suite, a lobby, a store-room, an
administration office, a fireplace, a multi-purpose hall with 35 seats which
will also serve as an exhibition hall for photos, maps and drawings and a big
terrace, very good for making observations of the lake and the sky
(particularly during migration). The building plot and the center are property
of the Foundation Le Balkan-Bulgaria and it can serve as a basis for organizing
special wildlife tours around the Lake, as well as for
realizing some conservation, education and scientific activities.
An information centre for
local, national and international visitors will serve to disseminate the
principles and obligations for the wise use and conservation of wetlands and
their resources; key issues of the Ramsar Convention.
The information centre will also be crucial to launch an education and
awareness programme for school children and the local populations. The
information centre “Durankulak” will also provide the
infrastructures necessary to hold successful environmental meetings and
international seminars. The centre will eventually gain importance as a tourist
attraction at local and regional level. It is expected that its activities will
contribute to the sustainable socio-economic development of the region.
The
Foundation “Le Balkan” has a much experience in the field of increasing
environmental awareness. It is an internationally recognized nature
conservation organisation, which is also an active member of “Eurosite”. Its president, Mr. Pavel
Simeonov, is developing East-West links, showing much
faith and perseverance.
There is a good
relationship established since several years between the Foundation “Le Balkan”
and the Ramsar Bureau, and there is an international
support provided to the Lake Durankulak information center
project by many European institutions and NGOs (French GEF, French and Luxembourg ministries of
environment, LNVL, MAVA, ENF, Municipality of Kavarna
etc.) The project will produce a significant impact for conservation,
management and wise use of the important natural heritage of Durankulak Lake.
INFO