Vaya Ecopark for Biodiversity and Alternative Tourism

Overview

Vaya Ecopark for Biodiversity and Alternative Tourism is located near Lake Vaya, which is the largest natural lake in Bulgaria. The area of ​​the Park is 700 decares.

91 species of plants are described on its territory, as species included in the Red Book are Black Sea buckthorn (Silene euxina), fibrous scarecrow (Acanthus spinosus), Heptaptera triquetra, Erodium hoefftianum portulacoides), etc.

Several species of animals listed in the IUCN Red List have been registered in the lake - 5 invertebrates, 4 fish, 4 amphibians, 3 reptiles, 5 birds and 3 mammals. Bulgaria and the river kingfisher (Neogobius fluviatilis). Protected species are also the bleak (Chalcalburnus chalcoides) and the European bitter (Rhodeus sericeus amarus). The species of fish of economic importance are the silver caracuda (Carassius gibelio) and the carp (Cyprinus carpio).

Of the amphibians and reptiles, there are two species included in the Red Book of Bulgaria - the mouse dragon (Elaphe longissima) and the yellow-bellied snake (Ophisaurus apodus). Bombina bombina, Elaphe quatuorlineata, Testudo graeca, Emys orbicularis and Testudo hermanni, and great crested newt, are also protected.

Other interesting species are: the otter (Lutra lutra), the variegated ferret (Vormela peregusna) and the mouse-like sleepwalker (Myomimus roachi).

In 1998, Lake Vaya was designated a CORINE site due to its European importance for the conservation of rare and endangered bird species.
In 2003, Lake Vaya was declared a Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention.
In 2005, its territory was declared an Important Bird Area by BirdLife International.
In 2007, the ornithologically important site "Burgas Lake Vaya" was included in the European ecological network Natura 2000 as a protected area under the two directives: Council Directive 2009/147 / EC on the conservation of wild birds and Council Directive 92/43 / EEC on The protection of the natural habitats of the wild flora and fauna.