Friends of the Earth Bulgaria (Za Zemiata) expressed dismay last week at the Bulgarian government’s plans to reduce restrictions on economic development in Pirin national park. Two letters were sent to the Supreme Expert Environmental Council at the Ministry of Environment and Waters.
Pirin national park is home to unique biodiversity and 120 year old pine forests, including the oldest tree on the Balkan peninsula – Baikushev’s pine, over 1,300 years old. The Bansko Ski Zone was established in the park 10 years ago, and since that day environmentalists have been trying to draw the attention of four successive governments to the destructive management of Pirin national park.
Public demonstrations and a campaign from Friends of the Earth Bulgaria urged the government to reject new plans to ease restrictions on the construction of new ski-lifts and slopes in a park already significantly damaged by ski infrastructure. The plans were illegal, according to the organisation, and have not been subject to the required environmental assessments under the SEA Directive and the Habitats Directive that Bulgarian and EU law require. Additionally, if adopted, sustainable tourism in the region will be seriously hampered.
As a result of the letters and pressure from Friends of the Earth Bulgaria, the Minister of Environment declared that any final decision concerning the Pirin park plans would be postponed until the proper environmental assessments were made.
However, investors have already begun construction without permission, and action will now have to be taken at a local level at Bansko. Bulgaria is home to many of Europe’s outstanding natural treasures – of which Pirin National Park is one. The Bulgarian government must take responsibility for preserving these treasures for present and future generations.
