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Artificial intelligence is keeping watch over the law in the Bulgarian mountains. Well, it's not standing guard - it's soaring.High-tech drones are being used in the Rila National Park to monitor tourists, especially those visiting the most popular spot in the Bulgarian mountains - the Seven Rila Lakes.
This group of glacial lakes, located at altitudes of 2100 - 2500 meters, is on the list of 100 national tourist sites of Bulgaria under number 29. Each of the reservoirs has unique features and a distinctive shape. As you ascend, you can first see the Lower Lake, into which streams from the other lakes flow, then comes the Fish Lake - the shallowest and stocked with fish, followed by the Trefoil, Twin, Kidney, Eye, and Tear, whose shapes correspond to their names.
The Rila Lakes have a special protected status. Swimming, fishing, and lighting fires or pitching tents on the shores are prohibited. However, not everyone is aware of these rules, and some do not seem to consider them mandatory. Every summer, when the largest number of tourists visit the Rila Park, there are those who want to cool off in the cool glacial waters or fry some meat nearby. If it was previously difficult for the park administration to track down and punish such extremists, now drones are constantly patrolling the route.
According to Dr. Stefan Kirilov, the chief expert from the Rila National Park, "Three years ago, the Rila National Park Directorate received equipment - radio-controlled aircraft for preventing fires. Almost every summer day, they are used to spray the territory. Now we are also using this technology to catch tourists who swim in the lakes, light fires, or set up tents."
Fines for swimming range from 500 to 2,000 leva (255.25 - 1,020.98 euros) for individuals and from 5,000 to 10,000 leva (2,552.45 - 5,104.9 euros) for legal entities. The amount depends on the severity of the violation and the degree of remorse of the tourists.
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