Rila Monastery Nature Park Management Plan - part - usaid

February 2004
Boundaries
The boundaries of Rila Monastery Nature Park were determined by Order # RD-
310/26.06.2000 (promulgated in State Gazette, # 56/11.06.2000) of the Minister of
the Environment and Waters. Within these boundaries, as defined pursuant to the said
Order, the Park’s total area amounts to 27,370.7 ha. Calculations based upon the
Park’s digital model, developed on the basis of digital models for the RMNP Forest
Inventory 2000, put its total area at 25,253.2 ha. The location and boundaries of the
Park are as shown on Fig. 1 and the Base Map of the Nature Park.
To the north, east and south Rila Monastery Nature Park borders on Rila National
Park. From the point of confluence of the Manastirska and Iliyna Rivers on the west
along the asphalt road to the Pchelino Nunnery the borderline follows to the north up
to Ksilifontova meadow; continues to the west above Krusha locality to the ridge
connecting the Ravna locality and Eleshnitsa complex; to the southwest along the
ridge to the bridge of the Eleshtnitsa River on the road to the Rila monastery. The
border follows Eleshtnitsa River to the north up to the end of Zone A of the
watercatchment of the town of Rila, continues to the northwest to Zheleznik Peak
1734 m (Demirkapia) 1 , to the west through the forest fund (as stated in the declaration
Order) up until Deburshtitsa River. From there to the north along the ridge through
Karaul Peak (1981m) to Maluk Polich Peak (2342m). Follows to the east along the
watershed of Dupnishka Bistritsa and Rilska Rivers through Kalinini peaks,
Mokrishki ridge to Vazov Peak (Damga). To the south and southwest it goes along the
watershed to Dodov Peak, follows to the east along the ridge on the border of Rilska
River watercatchment passing the following peaks: Malak Mramorets, Goliam
Mramorets, Maliovitsa, Elenin vrah, Zlia zab, Lovnitsa, Goliam Kupen (2731m),
Goliama Popova kapa, Popovokapski preval, and Lopushki vruh; then follows the
watershed to the south through Kobilino branishte to Vodni vrah (2683m), to the east
through Marinkovitsa Peak to Vazela Peak, on the southeast to Shishkovitsa (2669m).
It continues to the south to Venetsa Peak, to the southwest through Kanarski preslap
to Kanarata Peak, goes along the watershed between the Rilska and Mesta Rivers
through the peaks of Pavlev vrah, Cherna poliana, Pastri slap, Sedloto locality (12
Post), Goliama Pastritsa Peak (2606 m), Angelov vrah, and Goliam Mechi vrah
(2617m). It then goes to the west through Markov kamak along the watershed of
Lijna River and Blagoevgradska Bistritsa River, through Arizmanitsa Peak (2272m),
Dobro pole locality, Tsarev vrah (2375m), Rizvanitsa Peak, Beltchevitsa Peak to
Derizmiitsa Peak (1876m). To the north it follows along the ridge to Pobit kamak
locality, goes to the Diavolski Vodi River and along the river up to its confluence with
the Rilska River follows parallel to the Rilska River up until its confluence with the
Ilijna River.
In May 2002 an official proposal was made for changes in the borders and the area of
Rila Мonastery Nature Park. Changes in the protected areas are made persuant to Аrt.
41 and 42 of the Protected Areas Act.
The Rila Monastery Forest Reserve
Located within the territory of Rila Monastery Nature Park is the Rila Monastery
Forest Reserve, situated on the north and south slopes of the Rilska River
1 The old names of the parks’ geographical objects are shown in brackets (Appendix №2)
Rila Monastery Nature Park
Management Plan -Draft
2004 - 2013
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