October 6, 2014
Plovdiv is a leader in the practice of rowing courses in Bulgaria, due to the wonderful rowing channel of the river. Maritza, built in the 80s of last century. The channel is long 2200 m, 120 m wide and 3 meters deep, which makes it the largest on the Balkans. The construction of a second additional channel will meet the technical requirements of the International Rowing Federation (FISA) for conducting world championships in rowing there.
Territory provided for the construction of the channel touches territory of the European network Natura 2000 area of about 10 hectares. This area is part of the former floodplain terrace of the Maritsa River. As a result of the construction of a protective dike of Maritsa River in the middle of the last century, there occurs a dramatical change of the hydrological regime of the soil, resulting in the former natural forest communities and protected area generally degrades significantly.
Despite of the degradation territory, the regulatory framework (biodiversity law) introduced a limit on investment and construction in protected areas. The project of the Municipality of Plovdiv offers a solution to this problem in the direction of introducing compensatory and mitigation measures additional area of 100 hectars, to ensure the saving of the protected area.
The compensation will essentially consist of restoring endangered habitats around the rowing channel and will be achieved through ecological restoration of forest and lake habitats, and effective management of aquatic ecosystem.
The project achievement will lead to an overall improvement in the areas around the rowing channel and create conditions for mass sport and active rest for residents and visitors to the city, and will generally have a strong positive impact on the sport, social and economic character of the city.