News

An urgent saving action for the nestling and the egg of the vultures nesting in the Kresna gorge. A total of 30 are the victims of the poisons in the defile
“GREEN BALKANS' Federation
Apr. 05, 2017
145
The team of the Fund for Wild Flora and Fauna (FWFF) announced the last news on the case with the poisons in Kresna. Unfortunately 17 dead vultures have been found by now with the joint efforts of the FWFF team and volunteers who responded. The real number of the victims is evaluated possibly of more than 30 birds.
Restoration of riverside forests is the topic of WWF in the Week of the forest
The riverside forests, their importance and state of play is the focus of the initiatives which WWF organizes and with which participates in the Week of the forest (3rd -9th April). The conservation of the disappearing type of forests, which in their natural state could resemble impenetrable jungle, is one of the priority activities of the organizations – WWF and its partners from the Regional Forest Directorates in Rousse and Plovdiv have already afforested over 55 000 saplings of the local species along the Maritza River and the Danube River.
Easter farmer’s market – 2017 in Sofia city center
Apr. 04, 2017
70
Getting ready for Easter?

You can find delicious foods freshly from the farm and experience various attractions at the traditional Easter farmer’s market on Palm Sunday, 9 April 2017, in the very heart of Sofia.

The market will take place from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Oborishte Street between Alexander Nevski Cathedral and Vassil Levski Blvd.
Pirin National Park sacrificed over the national holiday
Mar 03, 2017
127
The national holiday on March 3 and the holidays that come with it were
used by the caretaker government to sacrifice Pirin National Park, alerts
the coalition of NGOs and civic associations For the Nature. With two
surprising decisions on the eve of the holiday caretaker Minister of the
Environment and Water Irina Kostova took a serious step toward allowing
construction on the mountain.
WWF: Stop parks on paper. The European nature must have a real protection
Today in Brussels the international environmentalist organization WWF handed to the Commissioner of Environment Karmenu Vella a report with recommendations for improving the functioning of the European network of protected areas NATURA2000. In the report are also included negative examples for the functioning of the network by Bulgaria. The European Union has established one of the most innovative, supranational systems for environmental protection in the world – the network NATURA2000. But its implementation could be improved and the protection of nature at many places should start working really and not only remain set on paper, is said in the report.
A report for Bulgaria for the implementation of the EU policies in the environmental sphere determines the construction in the protected areas as a threat for the biodiversity of Bulgaria
Feb. 06, 2017
53
In a report for Bulgaria for the implementation of the EU policies in the environmental sphere dated of 3rd February this year “the rapid development of the cities and the infrastructure during the last 15 years (including within protected areas under NATURA2000)” has been determined as one of the most serious threats for the biodiversity of Bulgaria.
Rumen Radev put a veto on the Concessions Act
Feb. 03, 2017
58
The coalition “For the Nature” expresses its support for the decision of the new president Rumen Radev to put a veto on the Concessions Act. In its form the Act was threatening the Bulgarian nature and represented “hidden privatization” of the public resources of the country.
Great number of dead birds discovered in the area of Shabla and Durankulak
Jan. 20, 2017
47
The coalition of non-government organizations and citizen groups “For the Nature” signaled about a great number of dead swans, herons and water hens found in the area of the lake of Durankulak and Shabla. The dead birds were discovered by volunteers on the 14th of January during the middle-winter counting of the waterfolw birds. According to information from the local residents the dead birds have been in the area for at least two weeks.
The European habitats under threat have been established
Jan. 18, 2017
49
European Red List of Habitats (a.k.a. Red Book) for all Bulgarian and the remaining European territories has for the first time been opened, the Coalition of Non-Governmental and Civil Groups Let Nature Remain in Bulgaria announces.
The plan for waste incineration in Toplofikatsiya – even more particle pollution in Sofia
In conditions of dangerously polluted air in Sofia, Sofia Municipality and Toplofikatsiya Sofia EAD move on steadily their plans for constructing a facility for waste incineration at TPP Sofia, which will be adding 13 tons of particulates annually into the air Sofia inhabitants breathe. Waste incineration will bring into the air also other pollutants as heavy metals – cadmium, lead, mercury, nitrogen oxides, as well as exceptionally toxic dioxins and furans.
We wish you 2017 to bring depoliticization of the forest sector
The case with the scandalous corruption schemes and abuses at the Petrich forestry is an example of deepening systemic problems in state forests.

The State needs to undertake urgent measures for depoliticization of the forest sector and for restoring the good name of Bulgarian foresters, the Coalition of Non-Governmental Organisations and Civil Groups says. Only one day ago, at the forestry in Petrich was uncovered one more example of corruption schemes and political protection in the forest system. The established schemes lead to destruction of old-growth forests in Belasitюa Naturе Park, but this is the fate of many other forests throughout Bulgaria.
At five minutes to midnight: the Parliament may allow the ruining of Bulgarian rivers
The lobbyist amendment is made by the only MP who has not left the former party of Barekov.

The outrageous suggestion for an amendment to the Water Act was submitted to the National Assembly this month. The young MP from Plovdiv Martin Ivanov, who is the only one who has not abandoned former Nikolay Barekov’s parliamentary group Bulgaria Without Censure, submitted an amendment to one single article of the Act, and namely Art. 118g, which restricts water take from Natura 2000 protected areas.
The illegal logging in Nature park Belasitza must stop
Nov. 16, 2016
48
The environmentalists propose measures for saving of the centuries-old forests
After a broadcasted television reportage about abuses of firewood during the pre-election period in municipality Petrich and received signal by citizens, environmentalists from the coalition of non-government organizations and citizen groups “For the Nature” completed examinations in the forests of Nature park “Belasitza”, which fall on the lands of the villages Kolarovo, Samuilovo, Kamena and Gabrene.
 We will not allow civil rights champions to be beaten in Bulgaria
Nov. 01, 2016
49
The Day of Bulgarian National Revival Leaders was darkened by aggression against Krasimir Kanev Bulgarian Helsinki Committee chairman. At a time when politicians of all colours pronounce clichéd speeches in praise of National Revival Leaders, we, representatives of civil organisations, remind that today’s revival leaders are in nearly the same state their predecessors found themselves in – that is, persecuted, disparaged, left alone. However, there are people who do not give up on fighting for civil rights, for nature, for social justice, and for tolerance.

In this context, the assault on Krassimir Kanev represents an exceptionally dangerous precedent, happening at a symbolic place – the National Assembly building. This “accident” is not surprising after years of smear campaigning against the whole of the civil sector in Bulgaria. “Specialized” pseudo-media has been used for that purpose – battering on civil rights activists and organisations. It is clear what stands behind this black PR strategy – if we can’t clear up our own image, let’s make it so that all appear equally bad – let’s make people believe that all are scoundrels
WWF signals about Systematic violations in forests above the town of Sarnitsa
An all-round inspection by Pazardzhik Regional Forest Directorate, conducted on signals from WWF and citizens from Sarnitsa, has revealed systematic violations in the certified State forestry Selishte. This transpires from a report of the Forest Service presented to the organization a few days ago. The main violations are incorrect logging in the forests and covering up of illegal logging and practices, leading to impairing of the structure of the forest and its ecological and water providing function.