News

The deconstruction of Yailata has begun!

Oct. 19, 2015

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The civil group “Free Kamen bryag” has shared its joy in Facebook on the occasion of the just conclusion of the activities of the group which lasted 8 years, aiming at “making Bulgarian authorities and the justice system decree the unlawfulness of the claim of the brothers Ivan and Ilko Pavlovi from General Toshevo for a decare and a half of the National Archaeological Reserve Yailata, as well as their intent to build a villa there too.”

The final resolution of the Yaila case comes three years after the demolishment of another emblematic illegal construction – the resort Golden Pearl (Zlatna perla) nearby Varvara, on whose account the status of protection of Strandzha Natural Park was suspended.

Fire safety in Vitosha Nature Park can be ensured without harming nature

WWF Danube - Carpathian Programme in Bulgaria

Oct. 19, 2015

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The State has given up on one of the two improperly situated towers, but still persists about the other one.

WWF’s arguments and those of a number of environmental protection organizations on the improper situation of the two fire towers in Vitosha Nature Park were taken only partially into account. After a number of objections by environmentalists and tourists during the last week, the Regional Inspectorate on Environment and Water (RIEW) in Sofia has given up on the construction of the tower envisaged for Bistrishko Branishte Biosphere Reserve, and, instead, has reached an agreement with the Air Traffic Authority the facility to be situated on their existing tower.
The shared location is a positive development, which will reduce the anthropogenic pressure on the mountain, and will spare its landscape.

Bulgaria and the Netherlands revise Natura 2000?

Oct. 16, 2015

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Very serious apprehensions have been caused by a not so widely covered by the media working meeting on September 15, 2015 of the Minister of the Environment and Water Evelina Vasileva and Sharon Dijksma, Minister for Agriculture of the Kingdom of the. Netherlands, Green Laws initiative representatives announce.

Ministry of the Environment and Water (MEW) informs that at these talks the two countries have agreed on the necessity for amendment of the Habitats Directive, which was created by Natura 2000.

Press conference on 'The Temple of family honor'

Association of parks in Bulgaria

Oct. 05, 2015

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Regional Administration of Sofia District invites you to the press conference on "The Temple of family honor" - Conservation, restoration and exhibition of the church "Sv. Rozhdestvo Bogoroditschno"- Milanovo Village, Svoge Municipality. The project is implemented by the Regional Administration of Sofia region as a leading organization, in partnership with the management of the natural park "Vratsa Balkan" of Executive Forest Agency.

Two weeks to the end of “TREE WITH A ROOT 2015”

Oct. 05, 2015

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05.10.2015 Foundation EcoCommunity

There are still two more weeks – up to October the 18th, 2015 – nominations can be sent to the contest “Tree with a root 2015”, organized by Foundation “EcoCommunity”. In the contest we are looking for the favorite trees in Bulgaria. These, which we love – not because they are the oldest or the most beautiful, but because they are special to us, to our family, village or town. If you know of such a tree – now is the moment to tell us about it.

Europe’s nature withers due to political lethargy

WWF Danube - Carpathian Programme in Bulgaria

Oct. 04, 2015

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The intermediate review of the European biodiversity strategy until 2020 has been published today. No significant improvement has been shown in relation to the suspension of biodiversity loss and the recovery of ecosystems in the last years. According to the report, the reasons for that are the insufficient execution of nature conservation legislation and the increasing pressure by the agriculture sector.

After the debate: the first real steps of political parties against the overbuilding of Vitosha

Oct. 02, 2015

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The political parties that participated at the debate "The future of Vitosha" put forward an official statement against the construction activities that has been allowed by the project plan of the park.

Organized by “Green Laws” and Coalition “Let Nature Remain in Bulgaria” the debate on the topic “The future of Vitosha” on Monday, gathered all participants representing different political parties, united together against any new overbuilding actions in Vitosha Nature Park. We are glad to remark that the politicians undertook first concrete steps in supporting their positions. Moreover, all parties that participated at the debate handed in an official statement against the new management project of the park that is currently under development.

European days of the birds – people’s meetings with the birds

Bulgarian Society for Protection of Birds/BirdLife Partner

Oct. 02, 2015

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02.10.2015 Bulgarian Society for Protection of the birds (BSPB)

Bulgaria is once again a part of a large scale event focusing on the migrating birds

The European days of the birds take place every year during the first weekend of October, organized by BirdLife International, the biggest network of partner organizations of worldwide importance. This year on October 3rd and 4th BSPB again will join in with a series of events in the country. The visitors will be able to observe the migrating birds and to learn interesting facts about the migration and the threats, which stalk the birds during their long trip.

The fish reserves of the planet have decreased drastically

WWF Danube - Carpathian Programme in Bulgaria

Sep. 28, 2015

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28.09.2015 WWF Danube-Carpathian program Bulgaria

The fish reserves of critical significance for providing the livelihood of humanity have decreased significantly on a world scale, indicates the special report of the environmentalist organization WWF.

A WWF research has established that during the last four decades the sea mammals, birds, reptiles and fish have decreased by 50%, and for some fish species the decline is up to 75%.

According to today’s published report “Alive blue planet” the alarming state of the seas and oceans affects all countries, but most of all the developing countries.

Buried secrets of coal

Za zemiata (“For the Earth”) Association

Sep. 28, 2015

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28.09.2015 “Za Zemiata” Environmental Association

Over 700 kg of mercury emissions are released annually into the atmosphere as a result of domestic heating, thermal power stations and industrial combustion processes (incl. electricity production), according to Greenpeace Bulgaria’s new report “Buried secrets of coal

Citizens and Sofia mayor candidates discuss the future of Vitosha Nature Park

Sep. 25, 2015

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The coalition of NGOs and civic groups “For the Nature” together with “Green laws” Initiative organize a debate for the future of Vitosha Nature Park. Candidates for mayors and city councillors of Sofia Municipality will participate in the two-part discussion in Mati-D Hall, above Lumiere Cinema, which will take part on Monday, 28 September 2015.

Environment Minister was warned about construction threat posed by new management plans for Rila, Pirin and Vitosha

Sep. 25, 2015

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Representatives of the coalition of NGOs and civic groups “For the Nature” have met the Minister of Environment and Water Ivelina Vasileva because of the scandalous new plans for management of Vitosha Nature Park, as well as Rila and Pirin National Parks.

The environmentalists have warned about the risks of construction over-development in the three most popular Bulgarian mountains. The threats to the parks are posed by the EU-funded new draft management plans for the parks. “For the Nature in Bulgaria” Coalition wants to protect Rila, Pirin and Vitosha parks from destruction and to save Bulgarian taxpayers’ money that might have to replace the European funding in case it stops.

Rila National Park under threat because of incomplete draft management plan

Sep. 23, 2015

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The coalition of NGOs and civic groups “For the Nature” warns that the new draft management plan for Rila National Park, which is presented for public consultation today in Blagoevgrad, is incomplete.

Management plans for national parks actually represent the law, what is allowed and what not in the parks. They are approved by the government after public consultations and are valid for a period of 10 years. The drinking water of over two million people, who live around Rila National Park, depends on the park.

A Legal Analysis of the Case “Construction in National Parks”

Sep. 15, 2015

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Below, we offer to you a legal analysis of Art.21 item 1 of the Protected Areas Act by lawyer Alexander Kodzhabashev, which pertains to bans of constructions within the borders of National Parks.

The future of Rila National Park will be discussed in Sofia on September 16

Sep. 15, 2015

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The coalition of non-governmental organizations and civil groups “Let Nature Remain in Bulgaria” and the initiative Transparent Mountains organize a public debate on the draft management plan for Rila National Park on September 16, 2015, Wednesday from 16 to 20 hrs in Mat -D Hall at NDK. The management plans of national parks represent in practice the law on what can and what cannot happen in them. . They are adopted after public debates with a decision by the Government and for a term of 10 years.

And why do you love Rila?

BALKANI Wildlife Society

Sep. 11, 2015

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The coalition “Let Nature Remain in Bulgaria” organizes a public debate on the project Rila National Park Management Park 2015-2024.

The meeting will take place on September 16 (Wednesday) 16:00-20:00 in MATI-D Hall (Bulgaria square 1, NDK) Sofia

Two ministries send missions to UNESCO asking construction of ski runs and lifts in Pirin National Park to be allowed

Sep. 07, 2015

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The director of UNESCO World Heritage Center has turned down the entreaties of Bulgarian representatives.
The coalition of non-governmental organizations and civil groups “Let Nature Remain in Bulgaria” is indignant at the tourism and sports ministries entreaties to UNESCO to detach more parts of Pirin National Park from the UNESCO World Heritage site, in order to construct more ski zones. However, the director of UNESCO World Heritage Center has not respected these calls.

Interactive travelling exhibition on Atanasovsko Lake – “SimBiotic” comes to Sofia

Bulgarian “Biodiversity” Foundation

Sep. 07, 2015

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The Bulgarian Biodiversity Foundation exhibition tells about the links and relations between the inhabitants and the environment of one the lakes at Burgas – Atanasovsko Lake and about the possible balance of nature and man.

The Eco-Ministry has returned a project for a holiday village on the bio-corridor of bears between Vitosha and Plana

Association of parks in Bulgaria

Sep. 04, 2015

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A report by the Ministry of Environment and Water and MEW inspectorate has prompted that a scandalous correspondence by the RIEW Sofia (Regional Inspectorate of Environment and Water) for construction of a holiday village on the bio-corridor between Vitosha and Plana be returned for revision.

SHPP without a license may dry up Kamenishki waterfalls in Belasitsa

Sep. 03, 2015

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Let Nature Remain in Bulgaria Coalition, Bulgarian Tourist Chamber, Green Laws Initiative, Transparent Mountains Initiatives, Bourgas Regional Tourist Chamber and citizens have submitted a request to the Council of Ministers for immediate suspension of Investment Intention for Construction of SHPP on Kameshnitsa River, which is without a license for water use.

The project for construction of a SHPP on the river of Kameshnitsa envisages digging the youngest park in Bulgaria – Belasitsa, in order to be installed a water-main. This will disrupt the ecological balance at Kameshnitsa River, will reduce the water in the waterfalls, and will lead to their drying up.