THREAT TO ENDANGERED BIRD SPECIES AND HABITATS IN SLOVAKIA
Almost exactly 5 years ago Proact ran its first ever campaign, at the request of Slovak NGOs,
to prevent exploitation of natural resources by foreign mining companies and have the Slovak Karst declared a National Park.
This aim was achieved after considerable lobbying of government ministries, parliamentary bodies and members of parliament.
In the meantime conservation efforts were actively pursued and nature protection legislation was put in place. As part
of the Natura 2000 programme the Slovak government agreed to the designation of SPAs and SCIs and these were submitted to
the EU in Brussels. Before however the planned areas could
be finally confirmed, and afforded the required protection, the spectre of the exploitation of Slovakia’s natural resources has again emerged. The mining lobby have persuaded
the Ministry for the Economy to draw up a new draft law which will give mining operations priority over nature protection
in selected areas. Once again short-term gains threaten to take precedence over conservation of natural landscape, community
recreational needs and jeopardize the breeding habitats and key populations of large raptors and other endangered bird species.
Once again we call for support of the Slovak conservationists starting:
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