Million viewers will follow the women’s downhill race in Bankso, Bulgaria next weekend. Many do not know that for almost half of the ski slopes forests were illegally cut down in the national park Pirin.
According to Bulgarian nature conservationists the ski resort managers did not only violate national law but also international nature conservation laws as well as the rules of the International Ski Federation (FIS). The Pirin national park is not only part of the UNESCO World Heritage but also belongs to the Natura-2000 area and the IUCN protection area of category 2. Majestic mountains, wildly romantic forests, clear mountain lakes and stunning waterfalls make the Pirin national park a nature highlight of Bulgaria. Many rare species of plants and animals such as the brown bear find a home there.
Apart from the areas in the Pirin mountains, further forest areas could be in danger because the Bulgarian government plans to change the nature conservationists’ laws in such a way that it will be permitted in the future to cut down woods also in protected areas without any restraint. These plans are probably supported by the influential tourism lobby that is anxious to expand and develop new ski slopes.
The alliance „For the Nature in Bulgaria“, which also EuroNatur’s partner Balkani Wildlife Society and Green Balkans belong to, has therefore started a campaign with their goal to prevent the amendments and stop the exploitation of Bulgaria’s nature treasures.
To press release of alliance “For the Natur of Bulgaria”