Trouble in Government

Things are not going good these days for the environmental movement here in Bulgaria. Corruption, construction companies and organized crime have long been enemies of the national and nature parks, and have been doing everything they can to try and develop all the remaining land that is protected here.

This situation recently took a turn for the worst when several of these outside vested interests sent in letters to the central government claiming that some of the Nature parks (mine included) were engaging in illegal activities and were working against the local municipalities. Now the parks are under a strict review and there is a strong possibility that the directors of all these parks will be replaced by people more sympathetic to the interests of the outside organizations. These parks have long been the only obstacles standing in the way of mass eradication of protected land in Bulgaria, but even with their sternest effort, they usually manage only to maintain the status quo. However, with the replacement of these directors the focus of these parks could radically change, opening up much of Bulgaria’s remaining forests and sea side to mass construction projects.

Here in Malko Turnovo, hostilities have intensified between the park directorate and the local municipality. Generally, the local governments are more in favor of development than conservation because of the increased money that comes with it, both official and under the table. These municipalities frequently try to undermine the parks and often look the other way during infractions in protected lands.

The outcome of this whole thing could drastically change my working situation. Right now I have a great organization that is here to do good work and protect the environment the best it can. I hope that this park can weather the storm and continue its projects to help protect and promote some of the few remaining areas of pristine nature in the European Union.