PROTECTED AREA “SHUMEN PLATEAU”

The Shumen Plateau Protected Area (BG0000382) is part of the European ecological network Natura 2000. It was declared by Decision No. 122 of the Council of Ministers of 2 March 2007. It is on the list of protected areas for the conservation of natural habitats and wild flora and fauna under Directive 92/43/EEC. The boundaries of the Shumen Plateau Protected Area coincide with the boundaries of the Shumen Plateau Nature Park. The protected area has an area of 3930.7 ha within the territorial scope of the Shumen State Forestry and the Preslav State Forestry.

Conservation objectives in Shumen Plateau Protected Area:

• Preservation of the area of natural habitats and habitats of species and their populations subject to conservation within the protected area.
• Preservation of the natural state of natural habitats and habitats of species subject to conservation within the protected area, including the natural species composition, characteristic species and environmental conditions of these habitats.
• Restoration, if necessary, of the area and natural condition of priority natural habitats and habitats of species, as well as populations of species subject to conservation within the protected area.

Subject of protection:

1. Natural habitats:

6110*. Open calciphilic or basiphilic grasslands of Alysso-Sedion albi

6210 *Semi-natural dry grass and shrub communities on limestone (Festuco-Brometalia) (*important orchid habitats)

6240 * Sub-Pannonian steppe grasslands

7220 * Hard water springs with tuffaceous formations (Cratoneurion)

8210 Chamophyte vegetation on limestone rock slopes

8310 Undeveloped caves

9150 Thermophilic beech forests (Cephalanthero-Fagion)

9180 *Mixed forests of the Tilio-Acerion alliance on scree and steep slopes

40A0 *Subcontinental peri-Pannonian shrub communities

91G0 *Pannonian forests with Quercus petraea and Carpinus betulus

91H0 * Pannonian forests with Quercus pubescens

91Z0 Moesian silver-leaved lime forests

2. Types:
   

• vegetable – 2 pieces: Yankeva kutyavka Moehringia jankae, Common carp Himantoglossum caprine
• invertebrates – 7 species: Callimorpha quadripunctaria, License Lycaena disperse, Bolbelasmus unicorn, Ordinary chop Cerambyx pig
• Stag beetle Lucanus deer, Beech wood Morimus funeral, Alpine rosalia Rosalia alpine
• reptiles and amphibians – 6 species: Yellow-bellied toad Bombina variegated, Striped fig Elaphe four-lined, Common pond turtle Emys orbicularis, Spiny-backed turtle Tortoise Greece, The spiny-tailed turtle Tortoise Hermann, Great crested newt Triturus karelinii
• mammals – 14 species: Dobrudja hamster Mesocricetus Newton, Long-winged bat Miniopterus writers, Sharp-eared nightjar Myotis blythii, Tricolor nightgown Myotis emarginatus, Large nightshade Myotis myotis, Mediterranean horseshoe crab Rhinolophus blasii, Long-eared nightjar Myotis bechstein, Long-toed nightjar Myotis capaccinii Southern horseshoe crab Rhinolophus euryale, Large horseshoe crab Rhinolophus ferrumequinum, Small horseshoe crab Rhinolophus hipposideros, Horseshoe Bend of Meheli Rhinolophus local, Laluger Spermophilus citellis, Pied ferret Vormela overstrained

For the habitats and species subject to protection, a "Model Management Plan for the Shumen Plateau Protected Area" has been developed. It provides detailed characteristics of all species and habitats, determines their favorable conservation status, and lists threats, measures and recommendations for their protection, management and monitoring.

Specific regimes are applied to maintain the favorable conservation status of habitats in the long term. They are diverse and tailored to their species. For example:

• The preservation of key elements of biodiversity – islands of old age, trees with hollows, areas of tranquility, etc.
• Mandatory maintenance felling.
• Grazing ban.
• Prohibition on changing the use of land, except in the interests of public health and safety or for other reasons of overriding public interest, including those resulting in exceptionally beneficial consequences for the environment.
• Prohibition of all types of logging.
• Prohibition of all types of regeneration felling in tall-stemmed plantations, with the exception of elective and long-term gradual ones.

The implementation of a complex of silvicultural activities, including habitat maintenance and restoration, in accordance with the management plan for the Shumen Plateau Protected Area, is a guarantee for the successful protection and preservation of the natural habitat types and species in the Shumen Plateau Protected Area.

       Nature has created places worthy of admiration and enjoyment, and one of them is the Shumen Plateau. 3,896 ha of it were declared a protected area on February 5, 1980 in order to preserve the valuable plant and animal species, the plateau landscape and places suitable for recreation and tourism. The park is a wonderful green attraction for all those who love a healthy lifestyle and combines impressive natural creations and archaeological sites. A walk in the park immerses us in the ancient history of the Bulgarians among living nature for exciting experiences in all seasons. Only the Shumen Plateau Nature Park is associated with the phrase "Bulgaria begins here" and is part of our national wealth. It is phenomenal because it takes us 1300 years back, to the time and to the spirit of our ancestors.

Come and see for yourself!

The Management of the Shumen Plateau National Park was established on 01.11.1995 by Order No. 404/ 31.10.1995 of the Forestry Committee of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Bulgaria. The activity covers the implementation of the state policy on coordination, methodological guidance and control over the implementation of the development project, scientific and educational activities with the public for the territory of the park, included in the state forest fund and headquartered in the city of Shumen.

By Order No. 198/ 17.07.1998 of the National Forestry Administration under the Ministry of Forestry and Forestry, the National Park Administration was transformed into the Directorate of the Shumen Plateau National Park.

With the entry into force of the Protected Areas Act (1998), the park was re-categorized into "natural" - one of the categories of protected areas that are managed for the purpose of preserving biological diversity, developing scientific and educational activities, tourism, and sustainable use of natural resources.

By Order 874/26.09.2003 of the National Forestry Administration under the Ministry of Agriculture and Food, the National Park Directorate was transformed into the Shumen Plateau Nature Reserve Directorate. It is a specialized territorial unit of the Executive Forestry Agency (EFA) under the Ministry of Agriculture and Food.

We are sure that you will return to rediscover the Shumen Plateau Nature Reserve every time and that it will become our shared love and responsibility!