In relation to that, the team from Green Balkan states that:
- Green Balkans moment have not executed project on the territory of the resort “Srebarna” until the present moment
- The quoted project with the value of 13,280 million dollars (or at least a project with similar name) is executed by the Ministry of Environment and Water and covers other territories but not the biosphere reserve Srebarna
- The reserve is not given for management to Green Balkans (in compliance with the provided procedure according to Biological Diversity Act). Our organization has no activities on its territory therefore we are not responsible for its present condition.
- - Mr. Toma Belev is not a chairman of the board of directors of “Green Balkans” although we are happy with his long support and volunteer contribution to the activity of the Organization. He as well did not have any relation and has no responsibility towards the problem, described into the article.
All these data could be checked up in the public registers connected with the activities of non-profit juridical entities
As for the statement that Green Balkans had executed more than 22 projects connected with protection from pollution and conservation of the wet zones within the country, that is true – Green Balkans are among the first organizations in Bulgaria which stressed on the importance of the wet zones and their protection.
The organization is a pioneer in the protection of the Danube river and works together with the Austrian branch of WWF - DCP, under a collaboration which has started in the beginning of 90s. Thanks to Green Balkans several wet zones along the Danube river side are proclaimed as protected territories including Nature park “Persina” (with area of more than 22 000 ha), protected area “Kalimok- Brashlian”, protected area “Doichov island”, protected area “The twins”, protected area “Island of Kutovo”, protected area “Cibar island”, etc.
The author of the article named 5 false facts and made extremely illogical conclusion that “are complete lie, deceit and falsification the presented till now reports, data and conclusions from these projects mainly from green ecological organizations”. That conclusion is not based on any reasonable arguments. “Green Balkans” is a non- profit organization registered under the Law for Juridical entities defending the public interests. All the organization accountancy is presented at the Public register for Juridical entities with non –profit aim and each citizen can check it on his/her own. There is enough data on its site, in its profile, in social net and other sources of information for the organization activities.
The team from Green Balkans claims that the article is another attempt for manipulating the public opinion and discrediting the reputation of one of the hard working NGOs in Bulgaria.
Green Balkans defends as well the reputation of their colleagues from WWF, BSPB and BBF which are quoted into the article.
We confirm that these are ones from the hard working NGOs with real and considerable contribution in protecting the Bulgarian nature.
The concrete article, the media attack from the last days as well as the direct phone threats towards Environmental NGOs, is a direct consequence from an actual campaign for protection of national Park Pirin.
In conclusion – pointing out the receiving big amounts of money from conservationist’s organization is “trite” in such campaigns argument. All mentioned organizations are registered and work for public benefit – for protection of Bulgarian nature. Whatever amounts of money they receive – all of them are subjected to control by their donators, Bulgarian Institutions as well as citizens. The resources are used for socially beneficial activities (and not for private benefits). That is what differs these organizations from the investors who work for private interest and frequently in pursuing it, they destroy the national natural wealth.
Right for answer based on the article “The greens “ate” more than 30 million leva from Srebarna”, by newspaper “Trud” form 25.02.2015
