site.btaEnvironmental March Mottoed "Breathing Forbidden" to Take Place in Strumica Saturday

Аn environmental march mottoed "Breathing Forbidden" is organized on Saturday in the southeastern city of Strumica by а group styling itself Healthy Valley. Strumica is one of North Macedonia's most polluted cities, with the safe levels of fine particulate matter exceeded almost on a daily basis. It is also the only city in the country where an air pollution emergency has been declared three times during this heating season.

According to the organizers, "the lack of a systemic solution to air pollution has made Strumica the seventh most polluted city in Europe". The protest will call on local and national authorities to take concrete action, with protesters marching through the city to the municipal building.

Strumica Mayor Kostadin Kostadinov supports the protest and has said he will join the march. He said on Facebook that current efforts to reduce pollution are inadequate and that some polluters "act above the law" despite inspections and warnings.

A study by Goce Delcev University of Shtip identified biomass burning as the leading cause of air pollution in Strumica, accounting for 35% annually, particularly during winter. Vehicle emissions were cited as the second major polluter.

Meanwhile, a song titled "Strumica Is Suffocating" by Ailjak Magarina Production is trending on social media.