Environmentalists presented to the European Commission a complaint about the violations in Natura 2000 in Rila Mountain

The zones “Rila” and “Rila-Buffer” from Natura 2000 were proposed for consideration by non-governmental organizations with all the research documentation. Later on the motion was also declared justified by the Bulgarian Academy of Science. The Bulgarian government included Rila Mountain in the list sent to the European Commission. In violation of the Law on Biodiversity and the Habitats Directive though, the Bulgarian government excluded Rila- Buffer from that list. Nevertheless the government is obliged to protect Rila – Buffer as if it is a part of Natura 2000 until the final approval of the list. “In reality though the proposed zone Rila-Buffer is not being protected in any way”, explained Katerina Rakovska from WWF.
Environmentalists are warning that the ski resorts planned and those already under construction have not undergone the compulsory Assessment for Compatibility with the purpose of the protected areas. The analysis prepared for the complaint shows that the population of key plant and animal species, which are the main reason for both areas to be included in Nature 2000, will be damaged by construction. Building has already started in Panichishte, Borovetz and the area of Kartala near Blagoevgrad. More areas like the planned ski zones of Iskrovete (between Govedartzi and Maliovitza), Treshtenik, Semkovo have also been considered in the analysis. Among the endangered species are bear, wild goat and 15 kinds of birds.
One of the complaints to the European Commission is that the construction of slopes and equipment for the ski zone Panichishte, not far from the Seven Rila Lakes, has already resulted in cutting down of approximately 10 hectares of forests (pine, fir-tree, spruce and others) around the area Rila-Buffer and a total of 15 hectares of protected forest and grass habitats have been damaged. Environmentalists have calculated that short tree forests in National Park Rila being cut down are about 1 hectare (out of the total 3 hectares of protected forest and grass habitats being damaged).

If the ski zone Panichishte is completed the way it is planned, 198 hectares of protected natural habitat would be destroyed in National Park Rila – most of them are pastures. About 27 hectares of forests would be cut down for a ski slope planned under mount Tashmandra, despite all the assurance from the investor “Rila Sport” that there will be no logging of trees in Park Rila. In Rila-Buffer though, 101 hectares of habitat would be destroyed and the forests cut down will be about 2/3 of that area.
Environmentalists are announcing to the European Commission that 8 ski resorts are planned to be constructed in Rila Mountain. For example in the already calculated Environmental Impact Assessment in Super Borovets and Treshtenik the total impact on Rila’s nature from all ski resorts together has not been considered.

The complaint contains thorough documentation illustrating how institutions like the Ministry of Environment and Waters and the Department for Control on Construction are refusing to apply the law and to stop violations.

This is the fourth complaint in relation to Nature 2000 which environmentalists are sending to the European Commission. Others were about incompleteness in the European ecological network Natura 2000 about two of the instructions and about the areas of Irakli and Kaliakra not being conserved.
For more information, photos and maps contact:
- Katerina Rakovska, WWF, 02/9640545
- Alexander Dunchev , “Association of Parks in Bulgaria”, 0885511022