The Boyana Marsh is the only natural wetland on the territory of Sofia, which is still home to a number of protected species of aquatic vegetation, amphibians and reptiles. However, like many similar areas in our country, the Boyana Marsh is threatened by human activities. Serious problems emerged after the area was restituted to private individuals as agricultural land. As a result, the swamp has been subjected to numerous attacks—filling with soil, cutting down trees, leveling the terrain on private property, removing vegetation, etc. There was also a plan for construction on its territory. Recently, the situation escalated to the point where activists stood in front of bulldozers to prevent the destruction of the marsh.

In August 2023, at the insistence of NGOs, the Boyana Marsh was declared a water body by the Environment and Water Ministry's Danube Region Basin Directorate. However, this order is currently being contested by private owners. In May 2024, citizens met with former Minister of Environment and Water Julian Popov demanding that the swamp also be declared a habitat for protected species. Here’s what Alexander Kolev, chairman of Protect Boyana Marsh Association, said in an interview for the BNR's Hristo Botev channel:

"The Boyana Marsh and the adjacent area could become the first ecological park in the Sofia region. An ecological park with climate-related functions, including flood prevention and control of excessively high temperatures during the summer months. A park that will be accessible to the citizens and visitors of our city and that will help mitigate the significant impacts of climate change''.

At the end of his term of office, the former chief architect of Vitosha district approved a planning permission and a permit for the construction of 5 multi-story buildings on land where the Boyana Marsh is located. However, it became clear that the new city administration has different plans for the natural site. Recently, the marsh was included in the Mayor of Sofia’s management program under the category related to the so-called "Green Wedges", through which large-scale park environments can be developed. 

"In 2021, a number of studies were made of the Boyana Marsh, revealing over 128 bird species, many of which are protected, including under European biodiversity directives. Nineteen of the swamp’s inhabitants are listed in the Red Data Book of the Republic of Bulgaria. At this stage, there is understanding from the Mayor of Sofia, the district municipality and the Regional Inspectorate of Environment and Water to preserve this area", says Alexander Kolev.

In addition to birds, the Boyana Marsh is a habitat for various amphibian species, including common newt, great crested newt, common toad and marsh frog.  

''The Boyana Marsh is a unique example because it is part of the urbanized area within Sofia. By law, such territories are not supposed to exist within the city limits and the urbanized zones, However, we must be able to manage and conserve it in such a way that it fulfils its functions as a marsh, which means retaining the huge quantities of groundwater and rainwater and gradually releasing it to the city through the rivers, rather than causing floods, which we have seen for years in different parts of Bulgaria’’, concludes Alexander Kolev.

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