Sign a petition for protect Western Stara Planina from mega ski resort in Serbia

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

The Government of the Republic of Serbia adopted *Decree of mountain tourism development program in the area of Stara Planina Mountain (Official Gazette of Republic of Serbia: No.* *85/2007) in September 2007. That led to violation of at least 6 Serbian laws and more than 10 international conventions on nature protection that Serbia signed and ratified and has an obligation to obey them!

This Decree opens a path to degradation of the most valuble habitats and landscapes of the Nature Park Stara planina - the biggest protected area of Serbia. The Stara Planina Mountain is one of the most important areas in Europe in terms of plant diversity (at least 1742 species and subspecies on 115000 ha), with 160 local and regional endemic species and subspecies. Many of those plant species are on the European Red List, World Red List, Serbian Red List, CITES list, IUCN list of threatened species, Bern Convention and are protected in various ways by the national legislature. There is also 205 bird species, 60 mammal species, 134 butterfly species, 26 fish species, 18 species of amphibians and reptiles and many of them are protected by various international and national legislations and conventions. Beside enormous irreversible
damage over fragile ecosystems, Decree of Mountain tourism development
program on Mt. Stara planina will cost citizens of Serbia 56.700.000,00 Euros only during 2008. Mentioned funds will be invested in ski infrastructure of the planned ski-resort. Such public money spending is based on superficially conducted analysis and without participation of local communities in designing their own development. Also, project is considered as absolutely unsustainable and ecomically ungrateful due to the climate changes, terrain characteristics and great competition in the region. The implementation of this Governmental program would have as a final result only severe degradation and loss of the Serbian, European and World biodiversity, and therefore it is our moral and obligation to stop this attempt of our Government and the
lobby".

Therefore, we are asking You to carefully read about our arguments on
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/save-staraplanina-petition and see the background of this.

Decree and its program, together with all consequences which could happen if our government continues implementation of this "mega ski resort" project. More info soon on www.staraplanina.info

If You share our concerns and our decision to STOP this illegal act of nature destruction, we appeal to You to support and SIGN OUR PETTION and demand the Decree of mountain tourism development program in the Stara Planina Mountain to be put out of force. *This is just on of the first steps in our campaign to save this very valuable and internationally important mountain. *Therefore, please spread the word about this as this illegal project must be put out of force as soon as possible!!!

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/save-staraplanina-petition

List on NGOs from Serbia which are under this campaign:

Nature Society "Natura Balkanika", Dimitrovgrad
alpinist Club "Srebrna Glava", Dimitrovgrad
Society of farmers "Stara planina", Pirot
Society for Conservation of Nature "Stara planina", Pirot
Biology Student Science and Research Society "Josif Pancic", Novi Sad
Society of Young Researchers of Institute of Geography "Branislav
Bukurov", Novi Sad
Biological Society "Dr Sava Petrovic", Naisus
Ecological and Research Society "Mladen Karaman", Kragujevac
Ecological Movement of Yugoslavia =E2=80=93 National Unity, Novi Sad
Local Education and Ecology Challenge "Stari Begej-Carska Bara", =
Zrenjanin
Ecological Movement of Novi Sad, Novi Sad
League for Ornithological Action, Belgrade
Bird Protection and Study Society of Vojvodina, Novi Sad
Ecological Conscience Development Center "Izvor", Belgrade
Eco-Base "JUG", Vlasotince
Homestead Asociation of "Valjevo", Valjevo
Young Researchers of Belgrade, Belgrade
Biological Research Society "Josif Pan=C4=8Di=C4=87", Belgrade
Volunteers" Centre of Vojvodina, Novi Sad
European Geographic Asociation - entity Novi Sad
Center for Civil Society Development "Protecta", Naisus
Society for Protection of Nature "Okanj", Elemir
Society for Biodiversity Conservation "Mustela", Belgrade
Gorans Movement of Sremska Mitrovica, Sremska Mitrovica,
Society for Study and Protection of Fishes =E2=80=9EUmbra", Novi Sad
Ecological Society of Local Community "Gornja Grabovica", Gornja =
Grabovica
Ecomovement "Odzaci", Odzaci
Jugo Cycling Company", Belgrade
Ecological Club "EZeleni klj, Naisus
Climbing Club =E2=80=9EAdrenalin", Novi Sad
Sanitary Ecology Society//,/ Belgrade,//
Green Network of Vojvodina, Novi Sad