Ministers openly lobbying for illegal construction in Pirin National Park

Their statements are indicative that the appointed interdepartmental working group is fully a pro forma, which within February 15, 2015 must consider the problems, related to the implementation of the concession for the Banko ski zone in the exclusive state-owned ancient forests in Pirin National Park.

Nature conservations warn that it is already clear that pathetic attempts are made to conceal the already taken decision of the government. Such a statement only shows that the authors do not know the Bulgarian laws and are lobbying in favor of private interests.

The Coalition reminded that according to the Protected Areas Act the construction of new sports facilities in national parks is forbidden. The environmentalists say the state is trying to cover up irregularities in the implementation of the concession company owned by offshore companies listed in the Court of Auditors, Centre for prevention and combating corruption and organized crimes – BORKOR, Ministry of Environment and Water, the prosecution and UNESCO.

Nature conservations, skiers and snowboarders remain ready for protest actions in defense of national and nature parks in Bulgaria and for taking the winter sports out of monopolistic economic circles.

In the Coalition “Let Nature Remain In Bulgaria” the members are including Association of parks in Bulgaria, Bulgarian Association for Alternative Tourism, Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds, Bulgarian Phytosociological Society – 2001, Bulgarian Climbing and Mountaineering Federation, Bulgarian Federation of Speleology, the Bulgarian Biodiversity Foundation, Environmental Association “For the Earth”, Centre for Environmental information and Education, NC “Future Now”, Association “White Beach”, Balkani Wildlife Society, “Borrowed nature” Association , “Green Balkans“ Federation, “Nature Fund” Association, Ecology and Sustainable Development Club UNECO of the Student Council of the Sofia University, Shtastlivetza Sofia Civil Association, “Let’s Save Irakli”, “Citizens for Rila”, WWF Danube – Carpathian Programme in Bulgaria. The Coalition is supported by more than 50 organizations, groups and initiatives.