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Bulgaria's Poisoned Environment Cries for Attention

by Annie Kay
***Since the fall of communism in Bulgaria 1989, economic problems have preoccupied the government. Environmental issues, which are now critical, have not received the attention they need. Solutions to arsenic poisoning, water pollution and shortages are still out of reach. But as Gemini News Reports, there is optimism that democracy and a stronger tourism industry will bring change.
In the town of Srednogorie, Bulgaria, the copper refinery has polluted the air to between six and 60 times the permit ted arsenic content. In the soil it is between two and ten times the permitted level, and in a sample of local people, arsenic concentrations tn their hair and nails reached between ten and 40 times higher than average.
Many hoped the end of communism in Bulgaria In 1989 would be the beginning of solutions for the country's grave environmental problems.
But since then. Bulgarian ship of state has grown increasingly unsteady as its pas sengers rush from one crisis to another. While awareness of ecological problems has Increased, the economic crisis prevents the Implementation of effective measures.
Even in 1989. before glas nost had had any efTect on the lives of Bulgarians, there was plenty of information available on the problems created by industrial pollution. During the 1980s. the build-up of pollution in the atr. soil, rivers and the Black Sea reached a highly dangerous state.
As much as 37.000 hectares of arable land nationwide are polluted by heavy metals above admissible levels.
There are even greater problems with water. Bulgaria has access to no major rivers apart from the Danube, which Is polluted before it gets to Bulgaria.
A series of dry summers and winters caused serious water shortages in the summer of 1990. Industries were consuming much of the water supply and only recently have water re-cycling and less wasteful technology been encouraged. Hydro-electric dams lower the level of the Danube noticeably, which in turn takes water away from marshlands and wetlands adjacent to the river. Since 1944, many of these areas have been drained or modified for agriculture and some for industrial development.
Lake Sreburna, about one kilometre from the Danube, was cut off from the Danube to protect it from pollution, but the link had to be re-opened because of dropping water levels, even though many people fear the efTect of pollution on wildlife. It has the status as a biospheric reserve of the Man and Biosphere Programme (MAB) of the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), which offers it some protection.
However, all important areas for birds around Burgas, a major port on the Black Sea Coast, suffer from pollution from neighbouring industries, agricultural effluents, hunting. ftshing or encroaching tourist developments. Only two of the four main lakes there have official protection, which is by no means comprehensive. The Ramsar Convention, which designates wildfowl wetlands of international importance, has little power when up against developers. At present Lake Atanassovo. the best protected site, and on the Ramsar list. Is adjacent to Burgas airport, where future development is inevitable. Birds at present face numerous overhead wires which cross the lake and its approaches. The situation at nearby Lake Mandra is likely to worsen when a steel manufacturing plant, still under construction, becomes operational.
Although official protection has been extended to over 400 sites In the country, banning hunting and fishing dies little good if an Industrial complex is pumping waste into the river or lake concerned. Environmental groups still lack power and financing.
In the new Bulgaria, it is expected that tourism and agriculture will be twin pillars of the economy. Hopefully, those developing tourism will realise before it to is too late, that the protection of flora and fauna Is as crucial a* the construction of new hotels.
Many believe that the dawning of democracy along with Increased awareness of environmental problems among the public mean that a turning point has been
The marshlands were for grounds for species of birds Including dalmatlan pelicans, herons, grebes, terns, and eaters, woodpeckers and owls in the adjacent woodands.