News

Pupils in Burgas and the Eastern Rhodopes got to know about the Egyptian Vulture and White-Headed Duck

Bulgarian Society for Protection of Birds/BirdLife Partner

Feb. 02, 2010

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More than 20 multimedia presentations were made at schools in the regions of Burgas and the Eastern Rhodopes about the threats, mode of living and necessity of protection of the Egyptian Vulture (Neophron Percnopterus) And White-Headed Duck (Oxyura Leucocephala).

The presentations’ objective was raising the ecological culture level of the pupils in the regions which are key ones for the conservation of the two species mentioned above. The presentations were carried out within the frames of the project “Voice and sight for the endangered birds financed by M-Tel ECO Grant. The main goal of the project is to rise up the awareness and public support for the Egyptian Vulture and White-Headed Duck which would be a major and secure guarantee for their effective protection.

Some of the patients of the wildlife rehabilitation and breeding centre, many of which doomed

“GREEN BALKANS' Federation

Jan. 13, 2010

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Living creatures’ freedom and health are easily taken away by people, no matter what the extermination of these wonderful animals would lead to.

Read the stories of some of the patients of the wildlife rehabilitation and breeding centre.

Who benefits from GMO? The danger of MON810

“Agrolink”

Dec. 18, 2009

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“The true purpose of food which is to feed people is replaced by the economic goals of a handful of multinational companies which have monopolized all the stages of food production - from the seeds to the big trade chains. These are the main beneficiaries of the world crisis”. Miguel D’Escoto Brockmann, Chairman of the UN General Assembly.

Bulgaria in Hopenhagen 2009

Dec. 13, 2009

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Copenhagen, 12 December 2009. Today an unprecedented demonstration of 60 000 people took place in the time of the climate change global forum - the biggest demonstration relating the issues of climate change in the world up to now. The march started from the Parliament House in Copenhagen where various groups of people from different countries all over the world had gathered together and in the course of 6 hours covering the distance of 6 km reached the Bella Center building where the UN negotiations were held.

The Commission in parliament voted “for” GMO

“Agrolink”

Dec. 11, 2009

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With the votes of “GERB” and “Ataka” yesterday, 10.12.2009, the Commission on Environment and Water with the National Assembly voted “for” the uncontrolled release of GMO in the environment in Bulgaria. This was decided while citizens were protesting in “Nezavissimost” Square against the permission for GMO cultivation in the country’s protected areas.

The pretext under which the liberalization of the regime for GM crops cultivation in the country is the harmonization with the European law.

Hungary's Parliament votes to ban cyanide-based metal mining

Dec. 08, 2009

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LMP/Greenpeace Hungary/Protect the Future!/Friends of the Earth Hungary Joint Press Release For immediate distribution!

Budapest/Hungary, 7 December 2009 - This afternoon Hungary's parliament - the so-called National Assembly - voted for a ban on all cyanide-based mining technologies on Hungarian territory. The bill which was initiated by the 'Cyanide-Free Hungary!' coalition was adopted in plenary with 356 voted for and 1 against.

The Story of Cap & Trade

Dec. 08, 2009

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The Story of Cap & Trade is a fast-paced, fact-filled look at the leading climate solution being discussed at Copenhagen and on Capitol Hill. Host Annie Leonard introduces the energy traders and Wall Street financiers at the heart of this scheme and reveals the "devils in the details" in current cap and trade proposals: free permits to big polluters, fake offsets and distraction from what’s really required to tackle the climate crisis. If you’ve heard about Cap & Trade, but aren’t sure how it works (or who benefits), this is the film is for you.

[url">http://vimeo.com/7908590

ECOOBSHTNOST FOUNDATION ORGANIZED TWO FORESTATIONS ARAOUND DRAGOMAN MARSH WITH THE PARTICIPATION OF EMPLOYEES OF “SAP LABS BULGARIA” AND “TELERIK”

Nov. 25, 2009

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The young trees help for the revival of the natural forests in the region.

Two Saturdays in series employees of the software companies “SAP Labs BULGARIA” and “TELERIK” jointly with EcoObshtnost Foundation participated in the planting of hairy oak acorns, willows, black poplars and firs around the Dragoman Marsh and Chepan Mountains. The future oaks will contribute for the revival of the natural forests in the mountains and the humidity-loving saplings – for the revival of life in the long ago drained up marsh.

Invite For the Nature in Bulgaria Coalition to visit your town or village!

Nov. 24, 2009

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If you are concerned about the ecological issues of our beautiful motherland, if you want that you and your citizen mates learn some more about them and the biodiversity in Bulgaria invite us to your town or village!

In order to visit you we need:
1. To write to us what topics would you like us to present and discuss;
2. To specify together the dates;
3. You have to provide a hall free of charge;
4. You have to provide a sleeping place, possibly free of charge or at minimal cost;
5.To post placards for the event (we can help with the design and to cover the printing costs), to invite friends, relatives, media, socially active persons.

For more information write to: contact [at"> forthenature [dot"> org

Public discontent of cyanide technology usage increases

Nov. 24, 2009

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On 21 November 2009 in Kurdjali a meeting was held for the discussion of the wealth of Bulgarian nature and the challenges regarding its protection. Nearly 40 people of all age groups were present. The meeting was organized by representatives of the For the Nature Coalition and “Alliance” Cultural Club,owing to the invitation and the efforts of citizens of the town of Kurdjali.

The meeting began with presentation of the For the Nature Coalition, the successes we have achieved and the different types of actions which we have organized. We talked about citizens’ activity and that the only way to be listened to and to cope with a problem of concern to us is to be proactive. The meeting continued with a presentation of the most impressive birds met within the region of East Rhodopes: the three species of vultures and the King Eagle, as well as the main threats for these protected birds and activities aimed at these latter’s protection.

Second infringement procedure against Bulgaria for the infringements in Rila. Weekly citizens’ presence in front of the Council of Ministers.

“Citizens for Rila”

Nov. 23, 2009

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Friends, the hot news are two: last week after a two-year-long campaign carried out by thousands of citizens the European Commission opened a new infringement procedure against the Bulgarian government for the infringements on the European law – this time concerning Rila; the other news are that our ministers and institutions continue to deny about the unlawful lifts in Panichishte and Kartala which makes our renewed presence in front of the Council of Ministers imperative!

We shall expect you this Wednesday (25 November) from 9:30 to 10:00 a.m. before the meeting of the government in order to remind the incumbents to fulfill their duty regarding the preservation of Rila. We shall gather at the exit of the passenger subway in front of the former party house (presently a building of the National Assembly) ) [map"> and we shall await the police instructions whether to stay there or cross the street and go in Dondukov Str. in front of the Council of Ministers itself. The first action will be under the slogan “3 years of lingering” minding the lasting already third year sluggishness of the government to accept all the proposed area under Natura 2000 and to protect them adequately. Get dressed as pensioners (with caps, mackintoshes, white hairs, etc.) in order to ask the government: “Should we grow old protesting on the yellow paving-stones until you begin to protect Rila?”

The most scandalous fact is that even in this very moment with opened infringement procedure in Rila there is vast and unlawful felling going on in order to cut ski runs for the new season. According to a signal submitted during the last weekend at the border of Rila Nature Park over 30 hundred-year old white firs and spruces were cut in the preparation of the ski run from the New hut to Pionerska hut!

The Bojurets Golf Complex or how Bulgaria conserves the protected species and unique plant communities in Kavarna Municipality

Nov. 19, 2009

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The small villages of Bojurets and Topola are located between the towns of Balchik and Kavarna. They are nearly depopulated now but the surrounding nature is unique. On the landsliding terrace above the sea, which not long ago was virgin and incredibly beautiful, diverse rare and endangered animal and plant species had one оf their last refuges on our urbanized and concrete-covered Black Sea coast. On the white limestone slopes full of fossils of the warm disappeared Sarmatian sea one can see steppe plants some of which can be found only in this region of Bulgaria and even in the world. These are the unique aromatic stock (Mathiola Odoratissima), Goniolimon Besseranum, Jurinea Stoechadifolia), Alyssum Caliacrae, Nepeta Parviflora, Ephedra Distachya, Artemisia Lerchiana) and others. On the steep white screes over the sea Rhus Coryaria creates unique communities practically having no analogue in Bulgaria.

CEE Bankwatch Network and Friends of the Earth Europe (FoEE) are seeking a EU Funds Campaign coordinator

Nov. 03, 2009

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*full time and working in the Bankwatch/FoEE office in Brussels*

CEE Bankwatch Network is an international NGO with member organisations currently from 13 countries across the CEE and CIS region. Our mission is to prevent the environmentally and socially harmful impacts of international financial institutions, but also of EU funding, and to promote alternative solutions and public participation. Please see www.bankwatch.org for more information.

Friends of the Earth campaigns for sustainable and just societies and for the protection of the environment. It unites more than 30 national organisations with thousands of local groups and is part of the world’s largest grassroots environmental network, Friends of the Earth International. Please see www.foeeurope.org for more information.

The Ambassador of Ireland Opened the Exhibition for Rila

Oct. 23, 2009

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Within the cultural events for the Month of Rila in Sofia, today the Ambassador of Ireland opened a thematic photo-exhibition in the new Metro Station at the Sofia University.

New home for Imperial Eagles...

“GREEN BALKANS' Federation

Oct. 13, 2009

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In the period October 9th – 11th, 2009 Green Balkans placed two artificial nests for Imperial Eagles (Aquila heliaca). The nests were mounted on tall trees suitable for nesting, using alpinist equipment. The action was implemented in the area of the Dervent Heights in order to provide nesting sites and support the Imperial Eagles in their breeding attempts.

Visiting Rila National Park

“GREEN BALKANS' Federation

Oct. 12, 2009

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On October 10th, 2009, a group of young people, led by the need for better awareness of the problems related to the violations in Rila National Park and the actions undertaken by the nature conservation organization to stop these destructive processes, visited Panichishte and “Pionerska” and “Rilski ezera” huts.

How skiing changed the Alps

Oct. 12, 2009

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Here you can see a selection of photographs shows the radical transformation of the Austrian Tyrol after the arrival of skiing tourism.

Photographer Lois Hechenblaikner critically assesses the enormous changes that have occurred in recent decades.

The new patients at the Wildlife Rescue Center

“GREEN BALKANS' Federation

Oct. 09, 2009

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Let us introduce our interesting patients to you. Their stories – happy or sad, are the daily routine at the Rescue Center. A new patient means a new challenge, and a new struggle for life...

Despite the position of the Ministry of Environment and Waters, the amendments to the Hunting Act will be put to a vote in the plenary hall

“GREEN BALKANS' Federation

Oct. 01, 2009

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Despite the firm position of the Ministry of Environment and Waters and the experts of the NGO sector against the proposal for extension of the hunting season for migratory and resident game species, the text will be put to a vote at the first reading in the plenary hall.

New Signal to the Chief Prosecutor Regarding the Violations in Rila Mountain

“Citizens for Rila”

Oct. 01, 2009

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The civil group citizens for Rila will announce the Supreme Administrative Prosecutor’s Office and the Agency for Financial Inspection regarding the illegal arrangements with state and municipal property by the company that is constructing “by the job” the ski complex “Super Panichishte” in Rila National Park.

To the present moment the civil group has started three legal proceedings in court because of violations in the procedures for issuing construction permissions for the lift to Rilski Ezera mountain hut and because of tolerating attitude towards the company that constructed the lift over a landslide.