WWF partners in the running competition “Kamchia Sands”, which is taking place on May 31 along the longest beach line in Bulgaria, from Kamchia to Shkorpilovtsi. “Zelena Stapka” Club organizes the first ever beach half marathon in Bulgaria. There will be two distances: 10 km and 21.1 km. The participants will have to cross the mouth of Kamchia River, using equipment provided by the organizers.
The event aims to draw attention to both the conservation of the protected nature areas in the region, which are at risk due to pressure from powerful investors, and the possibility of people enjoying nature without causing damage to it. The organizers emphasize the eco-friendly nature of the event and require that all participants dispose of garbage in the designated spots only. Prior to the competition the beach line will be carefully cleaned.
Protected nature area Kamchia is part of the European ecological network Natura 2000. As a member of the “For the Nature” Coalition, WWF, along with other non-governmental organizations participating, has been working to prevent construction in the area with public campaigns and legislative actions with Bulgarian and European institutions.
Floodplain forests and dunes of different types can be found in the Kamchia protected nature area, inhabited by a number of birds and animals endangered worldwide.
In the beginning of 2015 the Ministry of Environment and Water announced that a procedure has been placed in action to pronounce Kamchia a protected nature area, which further prohibits construction on the dunes.
Also forbidden in the area will be tree cutting, construction, and fencing, as well as alternation of the use and purpose of meadows, pastures, dunes, marshes, ravines, or plowing, planting and turning them into perennials except for the implementation of plans, programs, projects and investment proposals, for which a procedure following Chapter 6 of the Law of Preservation of Environment or Article 31 of the Biological Diversity Act has been started or completed prior to the promulgation of the order in State Gazette.
Find more information about the competition and register (until May 26) at http://green-foot.net/kmsands.php.
With less that 1 lev a day you can help WWF in saving the nature of Bulgaria. Find out how at www.spasetedivatapriroda.bg.
WWF joins the half marathon “Kamchia Sands” (Kamchiyski Pyasatsi)
