Pirin National Park can not become all in a protected area

Mayors of Bansko and Razlog, Alexander Kravarov and Blagoi Dunkin declared against the conversion of all National Park Pirin in the protected area and inclusion of new areas within its boundaries.

In a letter to the Prime Minister Boiko Borisov it indicates that these intentions would jeopardize the implementation of major infrastructure projects in the Southwest, including ski areas in Bansko, Dobrinishte and Kulinoto and also the construction of the River.

Currently, representatives of the Committee on World Heritage and UNESCO are to carry the light of the areas of Pirin National Park which is a world heritage, the idea being that the whole park is to become a protected area under the auspices of UNESCO.

Requested extension of the territory of the park for a further 12 000 hectares has been driven by business interests that have made the environment a profitable business in private, say the mayors of Bansko and Razlog.

We are extremely worried because the inclusion of new territories in the regions around Simitli Kresna Gorge, Razlog, Dobrinishte and Bansko as a world heritage means a ban on any activity within the national park, they commented in the letter to the Prime Minister Boiko Borisov.

In their view, although the national network Natura 2000 covers 35 percent of the territory, which is twice more than the average of the European standards, using the powers of UNESCO it is seeking to increase their opportunities.

We can not turn over Bulgaria in a protected area where there are no investments and thus purposely leaving people on unemployment, low income and social benefits, also highlighted in the protest document.