Bulgarian environmentalists have hailed the decision of the Supreme Administrative Court in declaring illegal a ski-lift in the World Heritage listed Pirin National Park.
The court supported a coalition of environmental and civil society organisations’ view that there had not been an adequate Environmental Impact Assessment on the project. It ruled that the development did not meet strict criteria for building within the protected zones and rejected the arguments of the lawyers for the Ministry of Environment and Water citing special concessions to build anywhere near Todorka and Banderishka Valley.
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 which is over 1,300 years old. The park contains rare wildlife and over one third of bird species found in Bulgaria. The country’s development as a winter holiday destination in recent years has significantly threatened this priceless area of environmental heritage.
Friends of the Earth Bulgaria/Za Zemiata is demanding the resignation of the deputy minister of Environment, Evdokia Maneva, and the head of the protected areas unit, Mihail Mihov, who are directly responsible for allowing the illegal construction of Platoto ski lift.
Za Zemiata recently discovered through a Freedom of Information request to the Ministry of Environment that two more ski lifts within the park were also built illegally.
The ‘Let Nature Remain in Bulgaria’ coalition continues to push for the cancellation of exemptions which would allow new construction for the Bansko ski zone in Pirin National Park.
