site.btaBulgaria Hosts UNESCO Meeting on Europe’s Ancient Beech Forests

Representatives from 18 countries met at the Central Balkan National Park in Oreshak Tuesday to discuss the management and protection of the UNESCO World Heritage site “Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe.”

The meeting, which was opened by Environment and Water Minister Rositsa Karamfilovа and Troyan Mayor Donka Mihaylova, focused on a long-term strategy for cooperation, forest monitoring, wildfire risks and possible expansion of the site, as participants stressed the importance of sharing expertise and coordinating conservation efforts. The meeting also highlighted the role of local authorities in promoting UNESCO sites and encouraging responsible tourism while ensuring the protection of Europe’s valuable ancient beech forests.

The UNESCO site includes 93 forest areas across 18 European countries. Bulgaria joined the site in 2017 through beech forests in Central Balkan National Park, where the protected areas remain under the country’s highest level of legal protection.