On October 29-30, 2024, a meeting on the management and control of activities conducted in forested areas was held at the “G. St. Avramov” Forest Training and Experimental Station in Yundola. This event was organized as part of the LIFE18/NAT/BG/001051 project, “LIFE for Eagle’s habitats”, under the EU’s LIFE program.
The meeting was opened by the Deputy Executive Director of the Executive Forest Agency (EFA), Engineer Rosen Raychev. Over 50 experts in forestry management, control, and system administration from the EFA and regional forest directorates participated.
The primary topics discussed included environmental legislation, the responsibilities of EFA and regional forest directorate staff in protecting endangered species, including the Lesser Spotted Eagle, as well as Regulation 1115/2023 of the EU, or the so-called Deforestation Regulation. Additionally, a draft version of a new software product for managing sites under Article 206 of the Forestry Act was presented to the participants.
The control-related discussions focused on taking specific measures to improve the administrative and punitive practices of the regional forest directorates. In discussions on forest management, attention was given to the amendments to Ordinance No. 8 on forest felling and to improving the organization of control activities. These changes are expected to enhance both forest protection and the conservation of endangered species, including the Lesser Spotted Eagle.