site.btaManagement Plan of Mt Vitosha Nature Park Returned for Revision over Proposal that 40 Per cent of Area be Set Aside for Ski Tourism

Management Plan of Mt Vitosha Nature Park Returned for Revision over Proposal that 40 Per cent of Area be Set Aside for Ski Tourism

Sofia, February 17 (BTA) - Environment and Water Minister Ivelina Vassileva told reporters Wednesday that she has signed an opinion of her Ministry in respect of the submitted draft management plan of the Mt Vitosha Nature Park. The draft plan was returned to the park's Directorate for revision.

The opinion contains technical and factual comments and a requirement to specify the areas on the territory of the park where ski tourism may be developed and skiing facilities built. This is prompted by the fact that for this purpose the draft plant allocates an area covering nearly 40 per cent of the park's territory. Vassileva said that the proposal is not justified, reasoned or based on the analyses in the document. She said that at the moment the existing ski areas are about 7-8 per cent.

The Minister said that what is considered reasonable and permitted to be done on the territory of the nature park is to provide an opportunity for the development of ski tourism. Construction of new buildings is not permitted but the development of tourist activities is, she said. In Vassileva's words, the existing ski areas should be clearly designed and specified. Whether or not these areas should be extended is subject to analysis which, however, has not been provided with reasoning and argumentation, she said.

After the draft plan is revised within March, it is to be submitted for consideration by the Supreme Expert Environmental Council and if okayed, the plan next is subject for consideration by the Council of Ministers.

Commenting the concession agreement for the Bansko skiing zone, Vassileva said that a decision in the matter is expected at the next meeting of the Development Council after the Reformist Bloc have come up with a position. Debates are underway in connection with a proposal of an interdepartmental working group tasked with examining the problems and disputed provisions in the concession agreement of 2001. The proposal of the working group is to amend the concession agreement and clear all moot points, to render the agreement in line with the current legislation, to include clear provisions about exercise of effective control and to increase the concession royalty.