Bulgaria's Environment Ministry approved Thursday the plan for development of the Black Sea resort of Tsarevo, allowing construction works on 4,000 out of 6,000 decares on the territory of Strandzha Natural Park.

The step was taken in spite of the numerous protests recently staged by eco-activists, who claimed the plan did not correspond to NATURA 2000 program, which includes protected areas across the country. They repeatedly said also it contradicted to the European directives.

If the plan is approved that would mean the natural park of Strandzha will be destroyed, the ecologists have previously said.

The newly adopted plan is to expand the tourist base in the region, allowing a total of 49,000 guests to enjoy their holidays in Tsarevo each season.

Only one representative of the park's management, Ivan Kamburov, voted against the proposal, saying there were many gaps in it.

"The document should be remade and reconsidered," Kamburov explained.

"If it is still approved that would mean that about 10,000 decares of the park's territory would be excluded from the list of the protected areas," he added.

Eco-activists handed a letter of appeal to the European Commission Representation Office in Sofia insisting on launching punitive measures against Bulgaria over issuing hundreds of illegal construction permits.

We need your support so Novinite.com can keep delivering news and information about Bulgaria! Thank you!