By order of the Minister of Environment and Water Borislav Sandov two centuries-old trees in the Haskovo region were declared protected:

- an ancient tree of the black poplar species (Populus nigra) in the Klyunka locality, within the territory of the village of Raykova Mogila, Svilengrad municipality. The tree is about 150 years old, with a height of about 12 m and a trunk circumference of 7.02 m. The proposal for protection was submitted by the Municipality of Svilengrad.

- an ancient tree of the cer species (Quercus cerris), within the territory of the village of Kamilski dol, Ivaylovgrad municipality. The tree is about 200 years old, 14 m high, with trunk circumference of 2.10 m. The tree was declared a centuries-old and remarkable tree on initiative by the Association of Parks in Bulgaria, supported by the Municipality of Ivaylovgrad. Locals call it “Simiyata” because of the huge stone altar at its base, resembling a stone low table (simiya).

The Minister’s order prohibits uprooting, felling, pruning, breaking of branches, damage to stems, and any other actions that would lead to the destruction, damage or deterioration of the physiological condition of the trees. They will be entered in the registers according to the requirements of the Biodiversity Act and marked as centuries-old trees.

The protection of centuries-old and remarkable trees through their timely protection is one of the priorities of the MOEW. Recently in Gorna Oryahovitsa, Minister Sandov called on local authorities and citizens to identify centuries-old trees in order to conduct an examination and declare them protected. Many of these trees, with remarkable shapes and sizes that have withstood the test of time and natural disasters, have survived thanks to the commitment and awareness of local communities.