Online platform shows how the controversial project for 300 km of ski runs, cuts down 50 000 acres of ancient forests in Pirin

The map is placed in the public WWF’GIS (Geographic information system) platform and demonstrates the large-scale threat to ancient forests in Pirin National Park. The graphic data shows that the controversial project for 300 km of ski slopes and lifts in the marble peaks of Pirin will affect nearly 50 000 ha of forests or 13% of the park area.

With a large zoom of the map, it displays data for all old-growth forests, which fall within the scope of the planned ski areas. Especially in the higher parts of the mountain the danger threatens the most valuable forests in the park – the majestic ancient forests of white and black fir. Some of these forests exceed the age of 150 years old, as single trees reach 600-1000 years old.
Besides these, the construction threatens to destroy ancient forest of spruce, fir and beech and very old dwarf pine. At the same time, Pirin is one of the only places in Europe, where still are kept ancient forests, occurred in the Middle Ages and survived to modern times. This is just one of the reasons why the mountain is included in UNESCO World Heritage List, which poses Bulgaria the responsibility to preserve this heritage for future generations.

Nature conservations recall that with the construction of Bansko ski zone in violation of the concession of Ulen Corporation had already been felled illegally over 500 acres of old-growth forests under Todorka peak, which is still awaiting sanction of the competent institutions.

According to the interactive map, the ski slopes in Bansko are going through the forests of white fir, spruce and squat, at about 100-180 years old, which inflicted irreparable damage to the biodiversity in the region.

To prevent the destruction of ancient forests in Pirin, Coalition “Let Nature Remain In Bulgaria” calls the state to comply with the recommendations of the Committee of UNESCO and to prevent the expansion of the ski areas in the National Park Pirin, in drafting of the new plan for park management.

Otherwise, Bulgaria would face international diplomatic scandal, if the National Park is excepted from UNESCO World Heritage Site, in order to satisfy another attempt of despoliation and building areas of country’ natural resources.