For another year, the Ministry of Environment and Water and its regional structures - the Directorate of the Central Balkan National Park, the regional inspectorates for environment and water (RIEWs) in Ruse, Plovdiv, and Burgas, in cooperation with the National Committee for the Man and the Biosphere Program, celebrate November 3 as the International Day of Biosphere Parks. The date was chosen in 2021 by a Decision of the UNESCO General Conference.

The World Network of Biosphere Reserves (World Network of Biosphere Reserves, https://www.unesco.org/en/mab) is a dynamic and interactive network of sites of exceptional importance that promote harmonious coexistence between people and nature for sustainable development through dialogue and cooperation between stakeholders, exchange of knowledge, improvement of people's well-being, and respect for cultural values.

The global network includes 784 biosphere parks in a total of 142 countries, including 25 transboundary sites, with over 250 million people living on their territory.

There are four biosphere parks in Bulgaria – “Central Balkan”, “Chervenata Stena”, “Srebarna” and “Uzunbudzhak”, declared in 2017 under the UNESCO “Man and the Biosphere” Program. Their aim is to stimulate sustainable economic development of the respective regions, based on clean and preserved nature and the production and supply of certified local products. In addition to areas for strict nature protection, “buffer” and “transition” zones are also established. They encourage the implementation of sustainable business practices based on ecosystem services and the advantages of proximity to the protected area. Biosphere parks are a unifying platform that ensures the participation of all stakeholders in the management and decision-making for the respective territory.

Already in the second half of October, the regional divisions of the Ministry of Environment and Water began to hold events and initiatives related to the biosphere parks on their territory, which will continue in November.

On October 16, a National Conference “Creation and Promotion of the Integrated Brand of the ‘Chervenata Stena’ Biosphere Reserve” was held in Asenovgrad with the participation of the Minister of Environment and Water Manol Genov and over 60 representatives of institutions, parks, scientific organizations, NGOs, and local producers. On October 17, the festival “Feast of Crafts and Tastes: Traditions from the Heart of the Chervenata Stena Biosphere Park” gathered over 300 participants in the center of Asenovgrad. Visitors tasted local products with interest, and the city came alive in an atmosphere of shared traditions, tastes, and crafts. In addition to these events, the Regional Inspectorate for Environment and Water - Plovdiv is marking the International Day of Biosphere Parks with a large-scale information campaign for the Chervenata Stena Biosphere Park by creating a brand and promoting the natural values and regional advantages under a project funded by the UNESCO Participation Programme. An exhibition of the best conceptual projects for the biosphere park logo has been arranged as of today, and the week of November 3-7 has traditionally been declared Open Doors Week in the Regional Inspectorate for Environment and Water - Plovdiv.

For the third consecutive year, the Directorate of the Central Balkan National Park is holding autumn celebrations of the Biosphere Park in the municipal centers of its transition zone - in Troyan on October 15, in Sevlievo on October 18, and in Karlovo on November 2. The events contribute to providing support for local producers, artisans and artists, as well as to promoting the initiative "Partners of the Central Balkan Biosphere Park", launched in 2021. Art workshops and stands of local producers and artisans were located in the city squares, and folklore programs added additional atmosphere. Inspired by the ideas of the "Man and the Biosphere" program and organized jointly by the National Park administration, municipalities, and local entrepreneurs, these festivals are an example of good interaction between people and institutions, who have joined forces to preserve this territory with unique nature, rich cultural and historical heritage and traditions.

On the occasion of the Biosphere Parks Day, the Regional Inspectorate for Environmental Protection - Ruse will honor with plaques the participants from the regional services "Fire Safety and Civil Protection" in Ruse and Silistra and from "Water Supply and Sewerage" OOD - Ruse for their unreserved support and professionalism during the unprecedented action of forcibly transferring over 3 million cubic meters of water from the Danube River to Lake Srebarna in the summer of this year, which saved the lake from drying up. All initiatives of the Regional Inspectorate for Environmental Protection - Ruse with children and students in November will also be dedicated to the Biosphere Parks Day. The children's "Dream Team" will present the eco-inspection with a model of the Dalmatian pelican "Ruschuk Srebryiski". The model of the Dalmatian pelican is an emblematic representative of the Biosphere Park "Srebarna" and the Protected Area "Kalimok-Brushlen", created mainly from natural materials. With it, the "Dream Team" participates in the prestigious international competition Danube Art Master, organized by the Global Water Partnership in Central and Eastern Europe.

The "Man and the Biosphere" program attracts more and more visitors to Bulgarian biosphere parks and generates increased interest in consuming local products, while the International Day of Biosphere Parks promotes the opportunities that these territories provide, so that more and more people become involved with this concept aimed at finding a balance between nature and man.