"Association of Municipal Forests" insists on the urgent creation of a Public Council to deal with forest fires and floods.
An official position notes that wildfires leave behind acres of charred soil that is unable to retain moisture. For this reason, during rains, the threat of flash flooding increases and endangers both nature and the lives of citizens.
Given the increasing frequency and intensity of forest fires fueled by climate change, the association calls for urgent land-use management reforms that integrate forest and environmental management policies. These policies should focus not only on forest fire prevention but also flood protection through an integrated and comprehensive approach to land and disaster management.
In order to strengthen public trust in the transparent and competent management of our forests and the distribution of resources, we call for the establishment of a Public Council to deal with forest fires and floods, which will include not only representatives of the state administration, but also experts, scientific workers and non-governmental organizations from the field of forestry and the environment, representatives of the local community, political parties and independent auditors, insist from the association. This council should be tasked with formulating policies aimed at mitigating wildfire and flood risks, as well as reforming our state's approach to land use and environmental management.
For 2024, Bulgaria is in second place in the EU in terms of the number of forest fires
On the territory of the country, 321 of the fires were caused by negligence
The opinion states that the Public Council should focus on six key initiatives:
- Land Use Planning and Zoning: Develop strategic zoning regulations to ensure that high-risk areas are managed responsibly and used effectively, thereby maximizing safety and minimizing hazards.
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- Sustainable forest management: Adopting forestry practices that promote biodiversity and afforestation with native species, improve soil stability and reduce erosion.
- Agroforestry systems: Promoting sustainable agricultural practices, such as contour farming and agroforestry, which not only increase agricultural productivity, but also improve soil health and reduce flood risks.
- Public Engagement: Develop comprehensive community programs to raise awareness of the importance of forest fire prevention and flood management, empowering citizens to take proactive roles in environmental protection.
- Integrated data platforms: Creating a single digital data platform that consolidates information from weather stations, satellite imagery and ground sensors, offering a real-time overview of environmental conditions for informed decision-making.
- Legislative Action: Enact robust legislation that ensures high-risk areas are of limited use, which will mitigate the potential for disasters.
The association also calls for the development of a National Strategy for dealing with climate change.
They consider that the most urgent policies in the forest sector can be financed by reprogramming the "Environment" program. on the basis of a consensus reached in the sector for the most urgent and equal treatment of the owners.
In the area of the villages of Mikrevo and Saparevo, a forest massif is burning, the fire in Slavyanka mountain has been raging for two weeks
Source: news.bg