As a whole Vidin region is characterized with preserved natural potential because of the lack of large-scale enterprises

The air
The industry, fuel installations, and automobile transport are the main factors causing pollution. The basic industry capacities are concentrated in Vidin municipality; in the other municipalities the pollution is caused predominantly by the use of coals for household heating and car gases in the municipalities where the national roads pass through. These factors are of local importance and without significant impact on the atmosphere quality.

 

Water
The water resources in the region are decided from underground and surface water. The Timok and Danube rivers are natural frontiers between Bulgaria and Serbia and Bulgaria – Romania on the other hand. The rivers Topolovets, Archar, Vidbol, Lom, Chichilska, Komatitsa, Gramadska, Stakevska, and Skomlia flow through the region. The spring high water and the stable autumn – winter low water is typical for these rivers.
Underground water resources are basically of karst origin. Biggest water basin has the Rabisha Lake, situated in immediate proximity of Magura cave. The lake surface is 3250 da, and it springs from underground karst spring as well as from the rivers Archar and Vidbol. The underwater is formed in the sand-gravel horizon, which is in direct connection with the Danube river water and their level is influenced by Danube’s water levels. During the spring period, Danube water is their main source while during September – October the Danube drains it.
A mineral thermal spring is found in Vidin region near Vidin-Slanotran-Koshava area. High levels of mineral components bromine, iodine, etc. are a proven fact for that part of the river and it is highly esteemed natural resource.
The Danube water quality is estimated as third category which means it is highly polluted and can be used only for agricultural purposes. The valleys of Topolovets, Voynishka, Vidbol, Archar, Skomlya, Lom rivers are first category up to the first settlement and second category to their flow in the Danube River, which means they are polluted in moderate extent.
The main problem is the lack of wastewater treatment plant in the urban agglomeration areas and the fact sewerage system do not cover the whole territory of the region.

 
Soil Resources
The soil distribution in the region is connected with its physical and geographical characteristics. In the Danube valley the soil is primary carbonates and typical black earth, leach soils and podzolized are developed in the  highest southern and eastern parts, in the most west  part of the Danube valley ( west from Belogradchik). South from the black earth zone, in the northern parts of the Fore-Balkan are spread dark grey, and in the southern parts - grey forest and maroon forest soils. Humus-carbonate soils are developed in the karst areas. In the rivers’ valleys are spread alluvial-lawn soils.
Basic problem for the soils quality is their pollution near the build-up areas with construction and household waste.

Biodiversity
The biodiversity in Vidin Region is comparatively rich. The floral variety of the region is a result from the diversity in the conditions and habitations. Almost all typical for Bulgaria habitats are spread on approximately small territory. At the same time there are places where unique conditions have been created for the origin and differentiation of the so called endemics, local species which are spread only in a particular region. Species of that kind is for example the Bulgarian eranthis (Eranthis bulgaricus).
Among the most interesting Balkan endemics are the Siberian melic grass (Melisa altissima), Simphyandra wanery and Serbian ramonda (Ramonda serbica), which is a tertiary relict. The Serbian ramonda is also interesting with a biological phenomenon – the plant can completely recover even if it has spent one and a half year without water and soil. Probably due to this ability to fall into anabiosis, the plant has survived in the continental climate with summer heaths and droughts and winter frosts.
The variety in relief and climate conditions in the region are reason for the formation of extremely multiple vegetation communities. For example near the town of Belogradchik is situated the biosphere reserve “Chuprene” which designation is to protect the biggest natural spruce forests (Picea abies) in Bulgaria. In the reserve is also the most northern habitat of dwarf-pine (Pinus mugo) in our country, in the buffer zone rating beech forests can be observed. In the region the beech and oak- hornbeam vegetation zone are developed very well. In fact, the forest vegetation is the original one as the oak forests are the most significant. In many places as a result from human activities, mainly timber industry, the original vegetation has been replaced by industrial species, for example hornbeam with manna-ash, hazel bush, thorny bush and others.
The fauna is very rich - there are 179 bird species, 53 mammal species from which 14 bat species, 11 amphibian species and 15 snake species.
Birds are the most numerous group from the vertebrates. Here one can find species which are threatened in the whole world as Lesser kestrel ( Falco naumanni) and Corncake (Crex crex). Many of the birds are of European conservation importance – the Black stork (Ciconia nigra), red kite (Milvus milvus), Hen harrier (circus cyaneus), Saker (Falco cherrug), Rock partridge ( Alectoris graeca), turtle dove (streptopelia turtur), Eagle owl(Bubo bubo), Barn owl(tyto alba) and others. Among these species are also the most attractive ones in Bulgaria Kingfisher (Alcedo attis), Roller (Coracias garrulous), and blue rock thrush (Monticola solitarius). This huge bird variety is due to the fact that one of the main routs of the birds passes through here Via Aristotelis, as well as to the huge variety of habitat

Wastes
The most significant problem for the environmental condition in Vidin region is the waste. At present, the active waste management systems on the territory of Vidin region do not meet the European standards and requirements. The activities for recycling the waste are limited and the main part of household waste is deposed at depots or thrown away at unregulated dunghills.
At present in Vidin region, a project on ISPA programme for technical assistance for construction a regional depot for solid household wastes is being implemented. The equipment will serve all 11 municipalities in the Region.
Its construction is only a part from the measures, which will be taken in the next few years in order to achieve the objectives and apply the European waste management policy.