• Minister Manol Genov: Society and the business are our partners in caring for the environment, but control is in the hands of the state

The Minister of Environment and Water Manol Genov handed over the keys to 20 new all-terrain vehicles intended for activities to protect protected areas and areas of the Natura 2000 network.

Providing a modern material and technical base is an important step towards more effective management of natural wealth and the successful implementation of the Bulgarian and European policy on the protection of biological diversity in our country. The vehicles were provided to the Regional Inspectorates for Environment and Water across the country, the Directorates of the three national parks "Rila", "Pirin" and "Central Balkan", as well as to the Basin Directorate "Black Sea Region". The vehicles were purchased under the Environment Programme (EP) 2021-2027.

“These 20 vehicles will serve our environmental protection activities – both Natura 2000 and protected areas – of our entire natural heritage,” said Minister Genov. They will support the implementation of the new functions of the management bodies, including the development and implementation of territorial plans for protected areas, as well as the more active participation of local communities and stakeholders in the management process.

The provision of the vehicles is the result of the joint efforts by the state and the private sector, implemented with European financial support. “This is an example of how the state and the  business can work in synchrony and in partnership when they have a common goal – the protection of nature,” he emphasized. The project is worth just over 2 million euros and includes not only cars, but also modern equipment - computer equipment, multifunctional devices, multimedia projectors, drones, GIS software and licenses.

The minister noted that the initiative is part of a broader program for investments in biodiversity conservation. Among the planned activities are the protection and conservation of local species, as well as the limitation of invasive species that threaten natural ecosystems. "We also have numerous contracts with non-governmental organizations - they are our partners and assistants in environmental protection, but the control and care should come primarily from the state," Genov added and wished the employees trouble-free work with the new equipment.

Dr. Vasil Barov, President of Ratola, thanked the Ministry of Environment and Water for the trust and paid special attention to the technical capabilities of the vehicles. The machines are equipped with 163-horsepower engines, 4x4 drive, locking differential and independent suspension, which makes them suitable for work in difficult terrain and field conditions. “These vehicles are designed specifically for off-road work and will assist employees in performing their tasks in various natural conditions,” he explained and wished their future drivers a safe and accident-free journey.

With the implementation of the project, the ministry is giving a clear signal that the protection of the Natura 2000 network is a long-term and consistent priority. Under Priority 3 “Biodiversity” of the Environment 2021–2027 Program, a resource of over 132 million euros has been provided, aimed at measures for the protection and restoration of nature in Bulgaria.

The vehicles were purchased under project No. BG16FFPR002-3.004-0001 "Functional provision of the Natura 2000 network management bodies", co-financed by the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund under priority 3 "Biodiversity" of the Environment Programme 2021 - 2027, under a contract between the Ministry of Environment and Water and "RATOLA LEASING" EOOD.

The implementation of the project will support the effective management of the European Natura 2000 network by providing material and technical support to the management body for protected areas at the national level and the management bodies at the regional level. With the amendments to the Biodiversity Act at the end of 2023, management bodies for protected areas from the Natura 2000 network were established. At the national level, this is the Minister of Environment and Water, and at the regional level – the directors of the Regional Inspectorates for Environment and Water, the Directorates of National Parks and the Black Sea Basin Directorate. For their work, a need for equipment, machinery and software has been identified.

Office equipment, computer configurations, laptops, multifunctional devices, multimedia projectors, drones, GIS software and licenses have already been delivered. The beneficiary of the project is the National Service for Nature Protection Directorate at the Ministry of Environment and Water. The total budget is 2 161 079.30 euros, of which 1 745 986.77 euros are European funding and 415 092.53 euros are national co-funding. The project implementation period is 24 months, and started in July 2025.