The amendments in the Law of Forests – crony privatization of one of the last remaining public resources

The state forests and protected territories encompass 20% of the territory of Bulgaria. They are the last significant public resource that still has not passed into private hands. With the passage of the amendments in the Law of Forests, the areas in the forest and protected territories, among which Natural Park Vitosha, that will be built-up and deforested will increase.
For the first time since the national liberation, the state has allowed a third party to build on someone else’s property without the owner’s agreement and without the necessary indemnity payment.

For the first time since 1925, the riverside forests will not be classified as forests and it will be possible to cut them down without any control by their owners.

For the first time since 1931 when the first protected territory was declared, the state will give the opportunity to private persons and companies to build in the state-owned protected territories.

For the first time since 1955, the state has allowed the exploitation of state forests twice above their natural growth rate, which will lead to the shrinkage of the timber resources.

For the first time since 1991 when the Constitution was adopted, the state has permitted that agricultural land is built-up for purposes that are not related to agriculture, for example, for ski resorts and golf courses.

For the first time since 1991, the state has created a sector scheme for state aid – for the construction of ski resorts and golf courses by exempting them from the due state taxes for change in property use.

For the first time since 1996 when the Law for state property came into force, the possibility has been created to burden state property with real rights of use, which are distributed without a tender only with a decision of the Minister of Agriculture.

For the first time since 1997 when the restitution of forests began, the state has allowed again private owners of forests of up to 20 declares to cut them down without any state regulations whatsoever.

For further information:
Popular personalities from the theater and the silver screen give in three short videos their opinion on the forests and what everybody can undertake.

Translated by Margarita Petrova.