|
SAVE PIRIN - An international campaign of the Bulgarian nature protection organizatoins
PIRIN - a world heritage site or a ski resort
The unique nature of one of the most majestic mountains on the Balkan peninsula is preserved in the Pirin National Park. Since 1983 the park is inscribed in the list of UNESCO's convention on conservation of world cultural and natural heritage. This way, Bulgaria carries the heavy responsibility for preserving the living heritage of the mountain. In blatant violation of the high national and international status the Bulgarian Ministry of the Environment and Waters issued a Decision for the construction of three new ski runs and facilities in the heart of Pirin -the valley of the Banderitsa river.
Their construction will lead to clear cutting of significant areas covered with incredible century old spruce trees, Macedonian pines and mountain pines forests. Populations of animal and plant species in the area will be threatened including species from the IUCN Red List and the Bern Convention. Steep slopes will be threatened by erosion. The new ski runs will have a very negative overall effect on the landscape of the biggest valley in the Park. The project is in violation of the the Protected Areas Act and the Nature Protection Act.
Within the boundaries of the Park a ski-zone was illegally constructed in the 1980-ties above the town of Bansko. In recent years under the pressure of private business union a campaign for enlargement of the ski-zone was started.
The Pirin Park has a very high national and international conservation status (it is included in the World Heritage List of the World Heritage Convention).
Having used up all the opportunities to legally stop the process we appeal to you to copy the short circular letter you will find at the end of this message and send it to the Bulgarian Prime Minister and the Bulgarian president.
The addresses of the two institutions are:
Council of Ministers
Adress: 1 Dondukov blvd., Sofia 1194, Bulgaria
E-mail address: IPRD@government.bg
Web site: http://www.government.bg
Bulgarian President – press secretariat
Adress: 2 Dondukov blvd., Sofia 1123, Bulgaria
fax: (959 2) 981 67 6
e-mail: president@president.bg
For more information visit the web-page: http://www.ekolink.f2s.com
Thank you in advance for your co-operation! Please distribute widely!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Mr. Simeon de Saxe-Cobourg-Gotha, dear Mr. Stoyanov,
We are very alarmed by the permission granted by the Ministry of the Environment and Waters in Bulgaria for the three new ski-runs construction in the Pirin National Park - a World Heritage Site.
Their construction will lead to clear cutting of significant areas covered with incredible century old spruce trees, Macedonian pines and mountain pines forests. Populations of animal and plant species in the area will be threatened including species from the IUCN Red List and the Bern Convention. Steep slopes will be threatened by erosion. The new ski runs will have a very negative overall effect on the landscape of the biggest valley in the Park.
The project is in violation of the current management plan from 1994, the Protected Areas Act and the Nature Protection Act.
We insist that your government will take all the necessary measures to stop the project.
Sincerely yours,
(Name of the organisation/ institution/ person)
to the: Bulgarian President - e-mail: president@president.bg
and Council of Ministers Adress: IPRD@government.bg
|
