Sofia, 5 February 2010 – The “Let the Nature Remain in Bulgaria” Coalition of non-governmental organizations and citizen groups does not agree with the idea of the GERB parliamentary group, Chief Public Prosecutor and Minister of Agriculture and Foods of stating to the European Commission that the forest swaps are a crime and not state aid.

In case this tactics is successful it can temporarily postpone the fines against Bulgaria, but it will complicate and make more expensive the process later on, and will allow the companies involved in forest swaps to transfer the burden of fines and sanctions to Bulgarian society because in the mea time they will be able to transfer the ownership of the swapped forests or simply to go bankrupt.

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To implement prohibition of the change of purpose of the agricultural lands along the Black Sea coast and thus practically to limit the chaotic construction activities along the shore. This is what the MPs decided in the National Assembly. The project was adopted unanimously with 11 deputies abstained.

More than 2 million seabirds have perished for the last decade since the EU tried for the first time to solve the problem with European fisheries and particularly, that with the death rate of seabirds in fishermen's nets. Aiming to stop the unnecessary bird slaughter BirdLife International and citizens from the whole of Europe unite their efforts to draw the attention of the new European Commissioner – Maria Damanaki. In 2010 BirdLife is struggling for the accomplishment of positive results in connection with the destiny of seabirds. Hopes are getting reinforced by the fact that in 2010 the world is preparing to celebrate the International Year of Biodiversity, as well as by the fact that sustainable Common Fishery Policy is envisaged to be adopted in 2013.

On 04.02.2010 the office Green Balkans received a signal sent by a group of young people troubled by the observation of unlawful hunting of songbirds in the “Thrakia” region in the town of Plovdiv.

The Green Balkans team reacted at lightning speed and organized a joint inspection on the spot together with representatives of the Regional Inspectorate of Environment and Water – Plovdiv, and the Fifth Regional Police Department in the town. During the inspection on the spot poachers were caught in flagrant delict. The offenders were using nets and traps and living birds as bait. In result of the inspection statements of offence of the Law on Biodiversity were drawn up against the three offenders, 15 cages were seized and 35 birds of the species European Goldfinch (Carduelis Carduelis), Greenfinch (Carduelis Chloris), Linnet (Carduelis Cannabina) were set free.

Sofia, 3 February, 2010 – The “For the Nature” Coalition of non-governmental organizations and citizen groups has submitted a proposal to the Premier Bojko Borisov as regards how to tackle the problem with swapped forests.

As it became clear today from the words of the Premier himself to the media the government has received a letter from the European Commission advising that correspondence has been filed referring to presumable state aid allegedly connected with the forest swaps and that responses are requested in a 20-day term.

More than 20 multimedia presentations were made at schools in the regions of Burgas and the Eastern Rhodopes about the threats, mode of living and necessity of protection of the Egyptian Vulture (Neophron Percnopterus) And White-Headed Duck (Oxyura Leucocephala).

The presentations’ objective was raising the ecological culture level of the pupils in the regions which are key ones for the conservation of the two species mentioned above. The presentations were carried out within the frames of the project “Voice and sight for the endangered birds financed by M-Tel ECO Grant. The main goal of the project is to rise up the awareness and public support for the Egyptian Vulture and White-Headed Duck which would be a major and secure guarantee for their effective protection.

Your browser may not support display of this image. Your browser may not support display of this image. The hike was organized by the mountain guides of the “Mountains and People” Association on the route from the village of Govedartsi to the village of Dobursko. We passed via Mechit hut, Mechit Peak, Kobilino Branishte shelter, Vodniya Chal Ridge, Fish Lakes hut. Because of the high degree of avalanche danger the group descended to the Rila Monastery and later a part of it ascended from Bodrost hut towards Macedoniya hut where from it followed the route to the village of Dobursko.

The avalanches have taken one victim these days in Pirin. Safety in the mountains is often underestimated. Avalanche safety gear and equipment consisting of avalanche transceiver, drill and avalanche shovel should be always supported by much intelligence and adequate situation assessment!