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Greens, hoteliers pounce on plans for high-altitude construction in Borovets
Dnevnik Daily, 26.05.2005
Several environmental organisations have voiced their opposition to the plans for the large-scale construction of tourist facilities in Rila mountain which is envisaged in the government-sanctioned Super Borovets project. Hoteliers, which back the project in principle, are wary of the possible adverse effects of building hotels in the high-altitude parts of the mountain, Dnevnik found out. The environmentalists warn that the project should be discontinued as it will cause irreparable damage to the animal and plant life. It violates the laws which forbid the use of protected wilderness tracts for business purposes and the redrawing of their boundaries, said Lyubomir Popoyordanov, chairman of the Bulgarian Association for Alternative Tourism. 'We are firmly in favour of the project,' said Blagoi Ragin, chairman of the Bulgarian Hotel and Restaurant Association, adding that Bulgaria's winter tourism industry has a great potential that should be tapped. Unemployment in the region stands at 60% and the development of Borovets will provide the locals with a means of living, argued Ragin. According to Toma Belev of the Association of Parks, however, the locals will not benefit from the new hotels in the resort and will see their living costs will soar. To attract tourists, Borovets should have good infrastructure, said Tsvetan Tonchev, who chairs the Bulgarian Tourist Chamber. The government is in a hurry to implement the project as after 2007 the eco-organisations will be able to seek assistance from the EU, said Zheko Spiridonov, chairman of the Nature Fund movement, adding that at present their hands are tied. He explained that a no-construction buffer zone should be left between the natural park and the resort to protect the forest. Bulgaria has pledged before the EU that protected areas will account for at least 12% of this country's territory, up from 7-8% at present, Sunshine Tours owner Blagovest Lefterov recalled. He warned that if Sofia does not meet this condition it will be cut off from the EU environment funds. The Super-Borovets project, estimated at some 300 mln levs, will give the resort a total makeover, adding new hotels, roads and skiing facilities. see source
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