The Minister of Environment and Water Manol Genov issued orders for the declaration of two new protected areas - Natural Landmark "Chuturite" in the land of the town of Gramada, Gramada Municipality, Vidin Region and Protected Area "Nahodishte na Rodopski Silivryak" in the land of the village of Studen Kladenets, Krumovgrad Municipality, Kardzhali Region.

The new protected areas are declared on the basis of Art. 39 of the Protected Areas Act. The orders introduce a ban on activities that may lead to the destruction of the formations and species - subject to protection, such as a change in the purpose and method of permanent use of the land; construction with the exception of maintenance and repair of existing facilities; search, exploration, and extraction of underground resources, etc.

The Natural Landmark "Chuturite" in the area "Stublata" in the land of the town of Gramada, Gramada Municipality, Vidin Region has an area of 198.825 decares. The protected area was declared on proposal by the Association of Parks in Bulgaria with the aim of preserving limestone formations resembling “chuturi” with cylindrical cavities along the long axis, around which the limestone material is accumulated. The formations represent a remarkable object of inanimate nature with undeniable aesthetic and scientific value.

Specific prohibitions on activities that may lead to the destruction of the limestone formations - the subject of protection, include camping and lighting fires; damage and destruction of the formations, including digging and widening of their openings and removing them; entering and parking motor vehicles outside the existing roads; pollution, etc.

The protected area "Nahodishte na Rhodopski Silivryak" (“Locality of the Rhodopa Silivryak”) in the land of the village of Studen Kladenets, Krumovgrad Municipality, Kardzhali District has an area of 5.989 decares. The protected area was declared on proposal by the Regional Inspectorate for Environment and Water - Haskovo in order to protect the habitat of the protected plant species Rhodope Silivryak (Haberlea rhodopensis), which is a Balkan endemic and relict. The specific prohibitions for the protected area are for afforestation and replacement of existing vegetation (except for the removal of invasive and alien plant species); waste disposal; camping and lighting fires.

Minister Manol Genov also issued an order to change the activity regimes of the Protected Area "Nahodishte na Urumovo Lale” (“Locality of the Urumovo Tulip”) in the "Lalikoto" area in the lands of the village of Terziysko, Sungurlare Municipality, and the village of Venets, Karnobat Municipality, Burgas District. This protected area was declared a natural landmark in 1985 by order of the Chairman of the Committee for the Protection of the Natural Environment under the Council of Ministers, and in 2019 it was re-categorized into a protected area by order of the Minister of Environment and Water.

The change in the activity regimes, which is now introduced, is on proposal by the Regional Inspectorate for Environment and Water - Burgas, and is aimed at more effective protection of the species and its habitat. The changed regimes allow for the conduct of cultivation fellings in the protected area, which lead to the illumination of the terrain and the creation of favorable conditions for the species populations.

The changed regimes prohibit felling, with the exception of conservation, sanitary, forced and technical felling to protect forest areas from fires, clearing permanent forest roads and maintaining existing technical infrastructure outside the period from February 15 to June 15, as well as felling in exceptional cases for the purpose of preventing or extinguishing fires, in the event of natural disasters and accidents, as well as for the purpose of removing trees that threaten people's lives and health.

Grazing of domestic animals and mowing in the period from February 15 to June 15 is also prohibited; the prohibition also covers year-round grazing with an electric shepherd; use of mechanical equipment (shredders and mulchers) to limit the spread of shrub vegetation and maintain the plant cover; camping, bivouac; placing tents, campers and caravans; waste disposal and other activities that may lead to the destruction of the species.

This order does not repeal the previous activity regimes for the protected area, regulated by Order No. 521/20.05.1985 of the Chairman of the committee, such as: activities that lead to damage or destruction of trees; tearing or uprooting plants; construction. Activities to stop the spread and/or eliminate invasive alien species are permitted.

The three orders are to be published in the State Gazette.