"White River Meanders" is a protected area of ​​1531, 98 ha., Proclaimed by Order No. RD-474 of the Ministry of Environment and Water on 11.07.2001 at the proposal of the Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds for the Protection of Rare and Endangered Species and plants, as well as the characteristic landscape. It is located in the lands of Zhelezari village and Meden Buk village, Ivaylovgrad municipality. It encompasses a part of the Byala Reka valley, which is characterized by exceptional beauty and biodiversity. Along the banks of the river, some of the few forests in Bulgaria included in the Red Sheet (Platanus orientalis) included in the Red Book are preserved. The White River meanders are one of the richest places in the country for herpetology. There are 7 species of amphibians and 19 species of reptiles. Among them are the endangered snake lizard (Ophisops elegans), the snake lizard (Ophisaurus apodus), the worm-snake (Typhlops vermicularis), the Caspian marsh turtle (Mauremys caspica), the rosehip (Testudo graeca), and the herbivore (Testudo graeca).
           94 species of birds nest in the protected area. The Egyptian Vulture (Gyps fulvus), Black Horse (Milvus migrans), Rock-eagle (Aquila chrisaetos), Short-tailed Hawk (Accipiter brevipes), Black Stork (Ciconia nigra) can be observed here. The area is a permanent eating and resting place for the Black Vulture (Aegypius monachus) included in the World Red List.