NATURAL RESOURCES

Relief

     The municipality features mountainous relief. The average above sea elevation is 1136 m. The lowest point is 770 m, the highest one – peak Batashki Snezhnik – 2082 m. Peak Syutkya (2186 m) rises in the southwestern part of Batashka Planina mountain. Apart from Batashki Snezhnik two peaks rise south of Batak - Ostri Vrah (1957 m) and Semerelan (1817 m). The large and flat Beglika locality runs south of these peaks as far as the Kamen Dyal pass. The Beglishka river runs through this a picturesque locality and feeds two dam lakes – Golyam Beglik and Beglika.

Climate

     The climate of the region is temperate continental. In the low area (up to 1000m) – transitory continental but in the mountain and highland area it has mountainous character. 
The average annual temperature is 13о-15оC, the annual temperature amplitude is 20.1оС. The winters are not cold. The average temperature in January is from 3о to 5оC. During the spring and autumn the fogs are in the gorge of the Stara Reka river and the sun shines in the town of Batak. The summer is cool.
The northern and north-eastern winds with average velocity of 1.2 m/sec. predominate in the region. The annual sum of the precipitation is 685 mm/sq m, which imposes rational use of the available water reserves.
During winter the snow blanket is up to 65 cm in the town and 150 cm in the mountain. The snow blanket lasts from 2 to 5 months.

Soils

     The soil cover in the region of Batak municipality is represented by alluvial, turf–marsh and meadow soils.
The highland parts are covered mainly by cinnamon forest, light brown and dark brown forest soils and mountain-meadow soils which favour stock breeding and potato growing.

Water Resources

Flora and Fauna

     The nature resources, the wealth and diversity of the forest areas are the main reason for the game diversity – deer, roe deer, wild boars, goat, bear, wolves, fox. Representatives of the small mammals in these lands are hare, hedgehog, squirrel and of the birds – cock-of-the-wood, wood pigeon, crow, partridge, thrush.  Wild duck and goose can be seen in the water areas.

Protected Areas

     Two reserves with total area of 2653 ha are located in the territory of Batak municipality – Dupkata (under UNSECO protection) and Beglika. There are 10 protected areas (1850.4 hа total area). The largest one is called Batashki Snezhnik – 1054 ha Fotenski Vodopad (waterfalls) covering an area of 12,1 ha is located here, too.

Forests

• for protection – 2570.7 ha (12%)
• for recreation 3191.1 ha (14.9%)
• protected areas – 5284.6 ha
• others – 10361.2 ha (48.4%)

The total timber stock of the municipality amounts to 13 567 600 m3 and  the annual increment is 184 092 m3.
There are three operating forest-tree nursery (6, 8 ha total area) located in the territories of three state forestry companies and aiming at seedlings production for afforestation. Seedlings of six timber species are grown here. 
According to the forest planning projects of the state forestry annually about 189 ha are put under timber. According to the tree species the spruce has the biggest share - 67.6%, white pine – 28.9%, black pine – 0.7%, fir - 0.3%, white fir – 0.3%.

     The officials from the Regional Administration of the Forests - Pazardjik carry out the systematic management for the timber production and conservation in the territories of five municipalities -  Batak, Borovo, Beglika, Rhodopi and Shiroka Polyana.
After the restructuring of the forest co-operatives into state forestry the timber, afforestation and reserve activities are carried out by EAD Batashki Snezhnik Company. It gives the private companies the opportunity to take part in the afforestation and to make use of the forest.
The strategic purpose is: balanced and multifunctional use of the timber resources.