The European Commission has sent four warnings to Bulgaria because of the country’s failure to provide adequate protection for its natural heritage, the EC said last week.
Three of the warnings related to protected areas.

The areas involved are the Pirin Mountains, where an extensive ski center is being developed; the Tsarevo municipality in the south of the country, where a large protected area near the Black Sea is under threat; and work along the Vaya River in the protected area of Emine-Irakli, near the Black Sea.

The fourth warning relates to Bulgaria’s failure to bring its environmental legislation fully in line with European Union requirements.

EU Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas said: “Despite covering only 2.5 percent of the EU’s total area, Bulgaria is home to almost 70 percent of Europe’s protected bird species, and some 40 percent of its protected habitats.

“This extraordinary biodiversity must be protected, because legal protection is the only sure way to safeguard future economic and social well-being. I expect Bulgaria to bring its legislation into line with European requirements, and above all to ensure that it is properly implemented in practice, on the ground,” Mr Dimas said.

This is an edited version of an article which originally appeared in The Sofia Echo