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Eco festival shows the magic of Pomorie Lake

Публикувано от Веселина Николова на 04 септември, 2008, четвъртък

The first Eco Festival “The Magic of Pomorie Lake” was opened on August 22, 2008. The event was organized by Green Balkans, a Bulgarian Civil Society Organization specialized in the field of conservation of rare species and habitats in the country.

The World Bank Country manager Florian Fichtl and the agricultural councilor at the Royal Netherlands Embassy in Bulgaria – H.E. Herman van Wissen attended the opening of the festival, which aims at promoting the unique saline lake situated on the Black Sea coast combining natural beauty and environmental significance with traditional activities such as salt production and curable mud extraction. The World Bank Pomorie Lake Conservation, Restoration and Sustainable Management Project started in 2005 with the aim to ensure long-term sustainable development of Pomorie Lake. The project is financed by USD 888 000 from the Global Environment Facility.

Ms Anna Georgieva, TTL of the project together with the Country Manager released two white storks at the opening of the festival. “The World Bank project is good demonstration of the World Bank support for the country – through investment in nature we do support the development of the whole region”, Florian Fichtl said.

Extraordinary photos of wild birds and fascinating sceneries of the salt lagoon were taken by the participants of a professional photo plein-air, which took part two days before the official opening of the Festival. The pictures were presented in the Museum of Salt during the event, just before the Eco-film Fest projection. The two newest film productions of Green Balkans – “NATURA 2000 in Bulgaria” and “Bulgarian Forest – present, but what about future?”, which will both be officially presented in September raised greatest excitement among the audience.

There was also huge interest in the bird watching stand of Green Balkans, where bird-lovers from all ages observed rare and threatened bird species with spotting-scopes. This was a good sign and a proof of the excellent opportunities for developing alternative forms of tourism, not only because of the natural beauties of the Lake, but also due to the interest showed by the visitors.