site.bta Parliament Repeals Ban on Camping, Parking in 100 m Coastal Strip

Parliament Repeals Ban on Camping, Parking in 100 m Coastal Strip

Sofia, April 28 (BTA) - Bulgaria's Parliament Thursday passed conclusively amendments to the Black Sea Coast Development Act, repealing a ban on camping and car parking in the 100 m wide coastal strip outside the territories of nucleated settlements.

According to the amended provision, camping outside star-rated camp sites is permitted under terms and according to a procedure established in the Tourism Act and the specific rules and standard specifications provided for in other laws. The provision will enter into force when the terms and procedure for such campaign, established by the Tourism Act, become effective.

The camping and parking ban, passed conclusively on March 1, sparked protests among environmentalists and NGOs who demanded that camping along the coast be left as an option. President Rosen Plevneliev referred to the Constitutional Court the initial amendments which imposed fines of up to 10,000 leva for camping and parking in the 100 m wide coastal strip.