Exploring possibilities for the future of the Devetaki Cave, one of the greatest “diamonds” of the Devetaki Plateau and of Bulgaria
The project “Window to the World” of the Devetaki Plateau Association is well under way provided the support of Norway Grants and three Bulgarian municipalities. Within the frames of the project the nine villages in the region have the possibility to realize small projects for the development of local tourist destinations aimed at increased attractiveness and promotion of the whole Devetaki Plateau for its inhabitants, guests and tourists.
13/05/2010
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At community meetings in each of the nine villages, the people suggested their ideas which were further discussed and consulted with our partner organization - Friluftsrådenes Landsforbund. The inhabitants of the Village of Devetaki suggested that, before start planning any activities for the Devetaki Cave – the greatest treasure of the village, we need to have definite statements of the various institutions related to the management of caves in Bulgaria.
Following this proposal, on 22 April – the Day of Earth, Devetaki Plateau Association together with the Municipality of Lovech organized a Round Table „The Future of the Devetaki Cave – tourism development and nature protection”. The idea was to gather in one place the representatives of the local and national institutions, experts and NGOs, to discuss the possibilities and the limitations for the use of this unique national resource without damaging its value.
The agenda aimed at clarifying what the different institutions have done through the years, what projects were developed in the past, and what can be done in the future. The event was attended by representatives of the Ministry of Environment and Water and the Regional Inspectorate on Environment and Water - Pleven, the Ministry of Regional Development, the Regional Governor, the Municipality of Lovech, the Historic Museum of Lovech, Bulgarian Foundation Biodiversity, and the Bulgarian Speleological Federation. Representatives of the village also attended the meeting as well as local and regional media.
Presentations were made on the biodiversity of the Cave, its speleological value, and its historical significance. It was made known that Devetaki Cave is a protected area in the frames of Nature 2000 network – the greatest bat colony with 10 different bat species lives there. It is also under the protection of the Ministry of Culture as an object of Bulgarian cultural heritage – remains and finds show that the cave was inhabited by pre-historic people 70 000 years before Chist. Speleologists also contributed to the discussion presenting the hidden treasures of Devetaki Cave – incredible size, openings, formations, and lakes.
The participants expressed their viewpoints and there was a common agreement that a wholesome concept on the development and the management of the Devetaki Cave shall be elaborated by the Municipality of Lovech with the support of Devetaki Plateau Association and other partners. The concept shall be agreed on with the regional governor and a decision shall be taken by the Council of Ministers for giving ownership or appointing the Municipality of Lovech to manage it. Until then, some small steps shall be taken by Devetaki Plateau Association towards providing information boards about the resources of the cave – historical, speleological, and natural, as well as installing signs and making it more accessible for the tourists during the coming summer season.
The round table provoked two significant conclusions: first, that sustainable tourism is a complex task, still – absolutely indispensable; and second, it is strategically and economically correct to think on a broader scale and consider all the various aspects before planning even the smallest projects.
[1] After the African proverb “It takes a village to raise a child”