Protected area "Palakaria"

The Palakaria protected area is protected under the European ecological network NATURA 2000 and Directive 2009/147/EEC on the conservation of wild birds and has the code BG0002084. The protected area is under the control of the Regional Inspectorate of Environmental Protection - Sofia and its total area is over 15 700 ha. The protected area covers the western part of the Samokov valley along the Palakaria River. Grasslands predominate, and forests - mixed and coniferous forests - are mainly located on the slopes of the surrounding mountains, with a large part of them being artificial plantations.

The objectives of the protected area are:

• Preservation of the area of natural habitats and habitats of species and their populations;
• Preserve the natural state of natural habitats and species habitats in the protected area;
• Restore, where necessary, the area and natural state of priority natural habitats and species habitats.