The Government is resolved to preserve the nature park in Mount Strandja, Southwestern Bulgaria |
"The Government is resolved to preserve Strandja Nature Park within in its current boundaries and keep its status as a protected area," Environment and Water Minister Djevdet Chakurov told reporters on Thursday.
Earlier in the day, he presented to the Government a set of measures to preserve the nature park in Mount Strandja, Southwestern Bulgaria, after a three-judge panel of the Supreme Administrative Court (SAC) decided on June 29 to annul a 1995 order of the Environment Minister establishing the park.
The June 29 decision allows property development to begin in the area. It has sparked protests by environmental organizations. The decision is appealable.
Chakurov said that, practically, the park’s status has not been changed yet. His Ministry will appeal the SAC decision before a five-judge panel of the same court, he said. "If the decision is upheld, all possible measures prescribed by environmental legislation will be taken, including a two-year moratorium on property development in Strandja," Chakurov said.
He also said the central authorities will not "bargain" with local government officials who want to have the area of the park reduced. The orders setting the park’s area at 116,000 hectares do not have to be revised, the Minister said.
Heeding a demand raised by environmentalists, Chakurov proposed to the Government to move legislation making protected area status orders unappealable. He insisted that national legislation should be reviewed to close any loopholes that allow such situations as the Strandja controversy. He urged the Regional Development and Public Works Ministry and local governments to help with the review.
Approached by journalists earlier in the day, SAC President Konstantin Penchev said it is wrong to think that with its decision SAC determined the fate of the park, noting that constitutionally, the court cannot revoke the status of protected areas and national parks. Rather, the court establishes whether a given decision is legal or not, he said.
On Wednesday, the Supreme Administrative Prosecution Office undertook measures to cancel the SAC decision.
