Dupkata protected area near Ivaylovgrad expanded tenfold

The Dupkata protected area near Ivaylovgrad has been expanded nearly tenfold following a decree by the Minister of Environment and Water. The protected territory has grown from 65 decares to approximately 608 decares.

In addition to the increased land area, the scope of conservation has been broadened to include an additional orchid species and a natural habitat of Calabrian pine (Pinus brutia). This brings the total number of explicitly protected rare and wild orchid species in the area to 14. Notable species found in the area include Ophrys scolopax, Ophrys mammosa, and Cephalanthera epipactoides. The site also contains the largest known habitat of Calabrian pine in Bulgaria.

The expansion was initiated following a proposal by WWF Bulgaria, as part of a partnership aimed at increasing the percentage of protected territories in the country. To safeguard these species, the new decree prohibits activities such as the construction of new roads, the opening of quarries, the introduction of non-native flora and fauna, and the plowing or damaging of protected orchids.