BLACK SEA COASTAL TOWNS SUPPORT THE CONSTRUCTION IN KARADERE AREA

Residents of nine Bulgarian towns organised a counter-protest against the “green racketeering” on 30th March. Investors, developers and landowners of sites from Black Sea towns and villages expressed their dissatisfaction against the environmentalists. Counter-protesters say the legislative changes demanded by the environmentalists would deter the development of tourism and the seaside region.

Thousands of people turned out in protests in the recent month after on 19 March the Bulgarian government agreed to grant a “Class A” investor certificate to “Madara Europe” company, which intends to build a holiday resort complex, including three hotels, in the area of Karadere, starting in September 2014.

Karadere area is one of the last wild, free of development beaches along the Bulgarian Northern Black Sea coast, in the southern part of Varna region, near the town of Byala. Karadere falls under Natura 2000 eco network as part of the protected area “Kamchiya Mountain” for conservation of bird species and protected area “Shkorpilovtsi Beach” for conservation of natural habitats and wild flora and fauna.

A petition in favour of the project for construction of a holiday complex in the area of Karadere has been initiated in the northern Black Sea region. Residents from Dolni Chiflik and Byiala municipalities are in support of investments and development of Karadere area.

A group of about 100 people from the two Black Sea coastal municipalities temporarily blocked the main road from Varna to Bourgas and demanded construction in the nature conservation area, provided that it was in compliance with the Bulgarian legislation and all environmental standards.

Members of the Bulgarian national association “Bulgarian Black Sea Coast” in the Black Sea town of Pomorie opposed the idea of banning construction projects near the coastline.