The coalition of NGOs and citizens’ groups “For the nature in Bulgaria” are demanding the resignation of Minister of Environment and Water Neno Dimov over his “inability to provide protection to the environment along the Black Sea coastline”.

The demand comes after Shabla Lake – a protected territory, part of the European Natura 2000 network – was drained, a fact reported by the Bulgarian Society for the Protection of birds (BSPB). The BSPB ascertained that the water level in the lake had dropped by around 1 metre which jeopardizes the natural habitat of waterbirds.

The water level is down because a canal was dug from the lake to the sea. As a result, valuable and legally protected grey dunes have been destroyed. The lake was drained after ground level rooms at Shabla government residence were flooded. Environmentalists are also worried that around 0.5 hectares of flora has been burnt in the vicinity of the lake, and say the two are connected. After the reports of violations were made, the prime minister ordered an urgent inspection. According to Minister of Environment and Water Neno Dimov no violations have been committed.