Save Stara Planina !!!

SIGN OUR PETITION

The Government of the Republic of Serbia adopted Decree of mountain tourism
development program in the area of Stara Planina Mountain (Official Gazette
of Republic of Serbia: No. 85/2007) in September 2007. That led to violation
of at least 6 Serbian laws and decrees and more than 10 international
conventions on nature protection that Serbia signed and ratified and has an
obligation to obey them! This Decree opens a path to degradation of the most
valuable habitats and landscapes of the Nature Park Stara planina – the
biggest protected area of Serbia. The Stara Planina Mountain is one of the
most important areas in Europe in terms of plant diversity (at least 1742
species and subspecies on 115000 ha), with 160 local and regional endemic
species and subspecies. Many of those plant species are on the European Red
List, World Red List, Serbian Red List, CITES list, IUCN list of threatened
species, Bern Convention and are protected in various ways by the national
legislature. There is also 205 bird species, 60 mammal species, 134
butterfly species, 26 fish species, 18 species of amphibians and reptiles
and many of them are protected by various international and national
legislations and conventions. Beside enormous irreversible damage over
fragile ecosystems, Decree of Mountain tourism development program on Mt.
Stara planina will cost citizens of Serbia 56.700.000,00 Euros only during
2008. Mentioned funds will be invested in ski infrastructure of the planned
ski-resort. Such public money spending is based on superficially conducted
analysis and without participation of local communities in designing their
own development. Also, project is considered as absolutely unsustainable and
economicaly ungrateful due to the climate changes, terrain characteristics
and great competition in the region. The implementation of this Governmental
program would have as a final result only severe degradation and loss of the
Serbian, European and World biodiversity, and therefore it is our moral
obligation to stop this attempt of our Government and the „ski lobby“

If You share our concerns and our decision to STOP this illegal act of
nature destruction, we appeal to You to support and SIGN OUR PETITION
(http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/save-staraplanina-petition) and demand the
Decree of mountain tourism development program in the Stara Planina Mountain
to be put out of force.


Dear friends around the World,

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year,

to you all and let's hope we will manage

to save this Planet while it's still not to late !!!.


Milan Boric

"Yugo Cycling Campaign"

Decanska 5/ mezzanine
11000 Belgrade
Serbia

mob: +381 63 372 752
www.bicikl.info