News

Artmospheric 2010

May 17, 2010

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Artmospheric Festival 2010 will take place from 21st till 24th of May, at a new location - the road to the old querries above Vladaya village, an area within Vitosha Natural Park, Bulgaria.

On Friday 21st, our host will be Sofia Dub Club's ambient tea house providing the best artmospheric introduction.

New proof of the return of the Lynx in Bulgaria

BALKANI Wildlife Society

May 02, 2010

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Experts from Balkani Wildlife Society found another proof that lynx (Lynx lynx) returns in Bulgaria. Footprints of a young individual were photographed only 30 km from Sofia in Dragoman Municipality. This indicates that lynx occupies more new territories in the country, especially near our western border.

Existing information on the species in Bulgaria is very scarce. For the first time the presence of lynx in Bulgaria was registered in 1862 and is considered definitely extinct from our country since 1941.

Volunteers guard the most endangered Imperial Eagle nests

Bulgarian Society for Protection of Birds/BirdLife Partner

Apr. 27, 2010

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The six most endangered Imperial Eagle nests in Sakar, Western Strandja and near Sliven has been guarded by BSPB volunteers since mid-March. The aim is to help couples who are at greatest concern to survive and raise their offspring. Some of the nests are located near busy roads or at places with agricultural activities and this creates a number of risks. "The nests are guarded from morning till night and volunteers observe the behavior of couples", said Dimitar Demerdzhiev – Conservation officer for the Imperial Eagle in LIFE+ project for the protection of Imperial Eagle and Saker Falcon.

The Eurasian Pygmy Owl (Glaucidium passerinum) is endangered by ski resorts in Rila and the Rhodopes

BALKANI Wildlife Society

Apr. 21, 2010

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Experts of Balkani Wildlife Society and the Bulgarian Ornithological Centre at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences participate in the mapping of rare bird species the habitats of which are endangered by the construction of ski resorts in Rila and the Rhodopes. These are the resorts Pani`chishte-Ezerata-Kabul, Govedartsi-Iskrovete, Kartala, Super Borovets, Super Perelik and others. http://en.forthenature.org/nature/12

Competition for participation in Photo exhibition „Bulgaria – Taiwan: Travelling with the Birds”

Bulgarian Society for Protection of Birds/BirdLife Partner

Apr. 19, 2010

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29 September – 30 October 2010

National Museum of Natural History-BAS, Sofia, Bulgaria


Organized by

Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds (BSPB)/Partner of BirdLife International

And Taipei Representative Office in Greece

In partnership with National Museum of Natural History – BAS

Letter from Concerned Bulgarian citizens and farmers to Mr. Jerzy Buzek regarding GMO in Bulgaria

Ecology and Sustainable Development Club UNECO of the Student Council of the Sofia University

Mar 04, 2010

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To the attention of:

Mr. Jerzy Buzek, President

European Parliament

3rd March, 2010

Dear Mr. President,

We, the citizens of Bulgaria, are honoured to address you at Bulgaria’s most renowned Alma Mater and to welcome you here in Sofia on March 3rd, the National Day, celebrating Bulgaria’s liberation!

Information meeting and presentation in Vratsa on March 5-6

Mar 03, 2010

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ForTheNature Coalition and the Directorate of "Vrachanski Balkan" Nature Park are pleased to invite you to Nature-protection center "Natura" (at the "Red" square) on March 5 and 6:

- March 5, 2010 (Friday) - from 10 am and from 14 pm, a presentation entitled "The bats in Bulgaria - interesting and little known facts"
- March 6, 2010 (Saturday) - from 14 pm, a meeting-discussion with members of ForTheNature Coalition

The road structure maintenance does not require privatization of the Sinite Kamani Nature Park

Feb. 26, 2010

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Sofia, 26 February 2010 – On the occasion of the statements of the mayor of Sliven Municipality Yordan Lechkov and Sliven District Governor Marin Kavrukov that the Municipality wants the state to transfer to it for free the full state ownership in Sinite Kamani Nature Park in order to maintain the roads and to build up sewerage, the Let Nature Remain in Bulgaria Coalition of non-government organizations and citizen groups is obliged to specify:

- Sinite Kamani Nature Park is not a city garden but a protected nature area under the Bulgarian and European legislation.

- In order to maintain the roads and build up sewerage the state does not need to transfer its ownership onto the municipality.

The Mayor of Sliven opened an illegal procedure for the privatization of the Sinite Kamani Nature Park

Feb. 25, 2010

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Sofia, 25 January 2010 – The Let Nature Remain in Bulgaria Coalition of non-government organizations and citizen groups alarms about a try for an illegal procedure for transferring the state ownership on the Sinite Kamani Nature Park in Sliven Municipality.

On February 18 2010 the Municipality Council of the town of Sliven approved a proposal by the Mayor of the town to open a procedure under Article 54 of the State Property Act for a free transfer to Sliven Municipality of the ownership on a real estate - state property. Under “real estate - state property” Sliven Municipality means the public state property on the territory of the Sinite Kamani Nature Park. It covers over 90% of the whole surface of the Nature Park amounting to 11 thousand hectares. The municipal councilors have assigned to the Mayor of Sliven Municipality to send a request to the Council of Ministers through the Sliven District Governor for the free transfer of the “property”.

Protests in rain and snow – results

Feb. 12, 2010

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Following the started yesterday nationwide protests and the hundreds of people coming out in the streets of various towns in order to say “No to the distribution of GMO in Bulgaria!” the government began to show some inclination towards listening to citizens’ requests and proposals. BUT we need to see that these statements are real political will for a reasonable decision and not plain political conformism and PR.

Feast for songbirds in the Rescue Center yard

“GREEN BALKANS' Federation

Feb. 12, 2010

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At the height of winter the Rescue Center team takes care both of the hospitalized birds and those outside the Facility.

This was made possible due to the donation by Dr. Kodzhabashev from Russe, who provided 45kg of food for wild songbirds – quantity enough to feed the whole gang of Tits, Hawkfinches, Goldfinches and other songbirds dwelling in the yard of the Rescue Center. Two days after the tasty feast was hung on the trees and shrubs, the first gluttons made use of the opportunity.

Environmentalists expect the Consultative Council on National Security to take into account their proposal on forest swaps

Feb. 10, 2010

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Sofia, 10 February 2010 – The “Let Nature Remain in Bulgaria” Coalition of 30 non-governmental organizations and citizen groups expects the Consultative Council on National Security to take into account its proposal on the forest swaps and state aid accorded by the former government to certain companies and individuals.

In the beginning of this week the Coalition sent its proposals to the Premier Boyko Borisov.

International Petition on illegal hunting in Malta

Bulgarian Society for Protection of Birds/BirdLife Partner

Feb. 10, 2010

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SIGN THE PETITION
DEMAND THAT MALTA RESPECTS THE EU LAW AND STOP KILLING OF PROTECTED BIRDS
During each journey, the European migratory birds are in peril as they fly over Malta, where they continue to be gunned down. Every year, protected species are killed; every spring and every autumn. Law enforcement is under resourced and unable to control the scale of illegal hunting.
Unless we protect the migratory ‘flyways’ over the Mediterranean, conservation efforts in Europe and Africa are in vain. This is because170 bird species regularly migrate over Malta. When they reach Malta, these birds are at their weakest. Many will try to rest on Malta and feed to build up their strength for the last leg of their journey. Instead, many meet their death.

Address regarding the Bill for the Amendment of the Genetically Modified Organisms Act

Feb. 10, 2010

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To: the Prime Minister of R. Bulgaria Mr. Boyko Borisov, the President of the 41st National Assembly Mrs. Tsetska Tsacheva, the Chairperson of the Environment and Water Committee Mrs. Iskra Mihaylova, the Chairperson of the Agriculture and Food Committee Mrs. Desislava Taneva, the Members of Parliament of the 41st National Assembly, the Bulgarian Members of the European Parliament

Copy to: the Minister of Environment and Water Mrs. Nona Karadjova, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Mr. Miroslav Naydenov, the Minister of Health Mr. Bozhidar Nanev, the Chairperson of the Supreme Administrative Court Mr. Konstantin Penchev, The Ombudsman of R. Bulgaria Mr. Ginyo Ganev

Regarding: The Genetically Modified Organisms Act Amendment Act

Mr. Prime Minister,
Mrs. President,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

The proposal of the governors to impose a moratorium on the deliberate release of GMO into the environment is a step towards entering into dialogue with civil society and we appreciate the actions of the Government in this direction.

Mediterrainian bat entered the Wild Animals Rescue Center

“GREEN BALKANS' Federation

Feb. 08, 2010

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On 29.01.2010 a Kuhl's pipistrelle (Pipistrellus kuhlii) entered the Green Balkans’ Wild Animals Rescue Center in Stara Zagora. The little bat was sent to the Center from the town of Razgrad by concerned citizens who had found it in the town.

This event is interesting as the Kuhl's pipistrelle is a comparatively rare species for the country. It is a southern species which is warmth-and-dryness-loving, inhabits mostly populated places and until recently it has been considered that the species can be found only in Southern Bulgaria. Data from the last years show that it is not so rare for our country anymore but there is lack of sufficient data for its distribution.

The Pygmy Cormorants came back roosting in the town of Yambol

“GREEN BALKANS' Federation

Feb. 06, 2010

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The Pygmy Cormorant (Phalacrocorax Pygmeus) is a rare species whose number in our country is increasing during the species’ wintering period. It is typical for the birds of this species to aggregate for spending the night at definite places – usually trees along river valleys – the so called roosting places. The conservation of the roosting places of the Pygmy Cormorant is of great significance for the conservation of the species.

Regretfully, disturbance, poaching and destruction of riverside habitats are the reason why the Pygmy Cormorants often abandon their roosting places. For example, in 2001 Green Balkans worked out a proposal to the Ministry of Environment and Water for the declaring of 5 protected areas with a view to conserving the aggregating places of the species in winter – four alongside the Maritsa river and one alongside the Tundja river (cormorants’ roosting place in the town of Yambol). Even before the completion of this procedure the disturbance caused the abandoning of three of the roosting places – in the towns of Yambol, Svilengrad and Popovitsa.

Environmentalists warn not to beat about the bush as regards swapped forests

Feb. 05, 2010

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Sofia, 5 February 2010 – The “Let the Nature Remain in Bulgaria” Coalition of non-governmental organizations and citizen groups does not agree with the idea of the GERB parliamentary group, Chief Public Prosecutor and Minister of Agriculture and Foods of stating to the European Commission that the forest swaps are a crime and not state aid.

In case this tactics is successful it can temporarily postpone the fines against Bulgaria, but it will complicate and make more expensive the process later on, and will allow the companies involved in forest swaps to transfer the burden of fines and sanctions to Bulgarian society because in the mea time they will be able to transfer the ownership of the swapped forests or simply to go bankrupt.

Poachers hunting songbirds were caught in Plovdiv

“GREEN BALKANS' Federation

Feb. 04, 2010

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On 04.02.2010 the office Green Balkans received a signal sent by a group of young people troubled by the observation of unlawful hunting of songbirds in the “Thrakia” region in the town of Plovdiv.

The Green Balkans team reacted at lightning speed and organized a joint inspection on the spot together with representatives of the Regional Inspectorate of Environment and Water – Plovdiv, and the Fifth Regional Police Department in the town. During the inspection on the spot poachers were caught in flagrant delict. The offenders were using nets and traps and living birds as bait. In result of the inspection statements of offence of the Law on Biodiversity were drawn up against the three offenders, 15 cages were seized and 35 birds of the species European Goldfinch (Carduelis Carduelis), Greenfinch (Carduelis Chloris), Linnet (Carduelis Cannabina) were set free.

The Prime-Minister is offered a proposal for the solution of the swapped forests problem

Feb. 03, 2010

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Sofia, 3 February, 2010 – The “For the Nature” Coalition of non-governmental organizations and citizen groups has submitted a proposal to the Premier Bojko Borisov as regards how to tackle the problem with swapped forests.

As it became clear today from the words of the Premier himself to the media the government has received a letter from the European Commission advising that correspondence has been filed referring to presumable state aid allegedly connected with the forest swaps and that responses are requested in a 20-day term.

To the new European Commissioner for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries: do not allow European fisheries to slaughter the seabirds!

Bulgarian Society for Protection of Birds/BirdLife Partner

Feb. 03, 2010

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More than 2 million seabirds have perished for the last decade since the EU tried for the first time to solve the problem with European fisheries and particularly, that with the death rate of seabirds in fishermen's nets. Aiming to stop the unnecessary bird slaughter BirdLife International and citizens from the whole of Europe unite their efforts to draw the attention of the new European Commissioner – Maria Damanaki. In 2010 BirdLife is struggling for the accomplishment of positive results in connection with the destiny of seabirds. Hopes are getting reinforced by the fact that in 2010 the world is preparing to celebrate the International Year of Biodiversity, as well as by the fact that sustainable Common Fishery Policy is envisaged to be adopted in 2013.