The Minister of Environment and Water Borislav Sandov issued an order declaring a new protected area, i.e. the natural landmark “Bashovishki Pech”. It is located within the territory of the villages of Oreshets and Bela, Dimovo municipality, as well as the village of Granitovo, Belogradchik municipality, Vidin district.

The natural landmark “Bashovishki Pech” was declared protected in order to conserve speleological objects of the inanimate nature with natural underground karst springs, water galleries, paleontological finds, habitats of bats, and endemic invertebrates. The cave is one of the longest in Bulgaria and has the typical water cave formations. Fossil remains of cave animals have also been found in it.

In addition to the natural underground formations, the protected area includes a terrestrial part with an area of ​​over 3 acres, which is the entrance to the cave.

The destruction, damage, and removal of elements of the cave structure, including stones, sediments and cave formations, as well as paleontological or archeological finds are prohibited within the natural landmark. Activities that may lead to the disturbance or destruction of cave animals, as well as the introduction of non-native plant and animal species are also not allowed.