site.btaEnvironment Minister Wants Cars Banned from Bansko Ski Area after Second Gondola Lift is Built

Sofia, January 3 (BTA) - Environment and Water Minister Neno Dimov will insist that after a second gondola lift is built in the Bansko ski area, cars should not be allowed into the place. Dimov spent an hour on Facebook answering users' questions about changes to the management plan for Pirin National Park.

He said that, at present, tourists often travel to the Bansko ski area in their cars, which increases pollution. He has ordered the management team for Pirin National Park to catalogue the damage inflicted by motor vehicles.

The minister noted that construction is allowed in 48 per cent of the park's area, but for the most part this implies building only water catchment systems for the supply of tap water. The building of ski facilities is allowed in 2 per cent of the park's area, in the vicinity of the Bansko winter resort, and in another 0.6 per cent near Dobrinishte.

"Ski facilities" means only lifts, tows, and skiing areas. Construction of hotels and restaurants will not be permitted, Dimov specified.

He explained that the management plan for Pirin National Park has no relevance to permitting the construction of lifts. This is something that is regulated by a general site development plan. The felling of trees is allowed in the park only for the purposes of sanitation thinning. A total ban on human activity is possible only in nature reserves, Dimov noted.

The Environment and Water Ministry has not received a formal proposal for the construction of a second gondola lift in Bansko. The concession contract for the ski area is to be discussed with the concessionaire on Thursday in light of effective legislation, he added.