In addition to highways, tunnels, roads, energy projects, tourist zones, ski lifts, and slopes, environmentalists are also blocking the construction of new dams, reports the website Eco News.
A striking example is the case of the Yadenitsa Dam in the Rila Mountain. This dam was supposed to be built to supply the population with clean water from Rila and, at the same time, produce electricity in the most environmentally friendly way possible.
The Low Rila Zone, where the dam is located, was designated by the Ministry of Environment and Water during the tenure of Minister Borislav Sandov and Deputy Minister Toma Belev. The zone was approved by Kiril Petkov's Council of Ministers in 2022.
What is surprising in this case is that during the same period, the Council of Ministers adopted an energy ministry program for modernizing and increasing the capacity of the Chaira Pumped Storage Hydropower Plant (PSHPP). The most important part of this program was the construction of the Yadenitsa Dam.
Environmentalists argue that the dam would harm the population of the fish species Cottus gobio (commonly known as sculpin), despite the fact that this fish is widespread across Europe and the Balkans.
What is the Low Rila Zone, where the Yadenitsa Dam is located?
For over a decade, green organizations have been fighting against hydropower plants. In 2023, their campaigns escalated. Beyond the high-altitude areas of Rila, where the National Park is situated, and the mid-altitude areas, where the Rila Buffer Zone is located, the Low Rila Zone was established. This zone aims to protect an additional 40 species of flora and fauna. Key conservation targets include the sculpin fish and the tawny owl.
In practice, the entire Rila Mountain now falls into various types of protected zones, where nearly all forms of human activities, including sports, grazing, and animal husbandry, are prohibited, the article states.
On April 28, 2022, the National Biodiversity Council, led by then-Deputy Minister Toma Belev, decided to protect many additional animal and plant species and habitats within the Low Rila Zone. This zone also includes the Yadenitsa Dam, which needs to be expanded to enable Chaira PSHPP to become the "largest battery in the region."
However, this is now impossible since the Ministry of Environment and Water included 40 more species for protection within the Low Rila Zone. This means that every square meter of Low Rila is a conservation area, and any activities, especially construction, are prohibited.
For the Ministry of Energy, the energy system, and the country's energy security, this 100% environmentally friendly project is of utmost importance.
As often happens, the interests of some green environmental organizations outweigh those of the state and its people, such as in the case of Chaira PSHPP. It is unfortunate that this much-needed project, along with many others, will not proceed due to the private financial and political interests of the greens.
