site.btaWWF: New Logging Rules Threaten Bulgaria’s Forests, Biodiversity, and Climate Resilience

Nearly one-fifth of Bulgaria’s forests are at risk of clear-cutting following the adoption of amendments to the Regulation No. 5 of 2014 on construction in forest areas without changing their designation, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF)-Bulgaria said on Thursday. The amendments were approved by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food and the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works, despite warnings from WWF, strong opposition from forestry experts, and nearly 6,000 public submissions opposing the amendments. 

In December 2024, WWF alerted the public that the proposed changes would have long-term negative effects on Bulgaria’s forests. The amendments allow for the construction of new types of forest roads designed for specialized logging machinery, such as harvesters and other heavy equipment.

Environmental and Social Risks

Experts warn the changes could lead to forest fragmentation, increased erosion, damage to forest soils, and overall deterioration in forest health, with serious consequences for biodiversity. Forests could also lose their natural functions in water retention, purification, and flood prevention. Additionally, the use of harvesters may negatively affect local communities that rely on traditional forestry for their livelihoods.

Forest Programme Manager at WWF Bulgaria Neli Doncheva said that the aim of these amendments is clearly to facilitate the widespread entry of heavy machinery into forests and increase logging. “This could compromise Bulgaria’s silvicultural systems, which are adapted to local terrain, climate, and forest types. And this comes at a time when natural disasters are becoming more frequent and severe, and forests are our strongest ally in fighting climate change,” she added.

WWF’s Actions

Over the past six months, WWF has worked actively to demonstrate that the amendments contradict both Bulgarian and EU legislation. The organization’s experts participated in meetings with relevant authorities, where they presented the potential environmental impacts. WWF also mobilized a strong public response. Nearly 6,000 submissions in support of forest protection were sent to the Executive Forest Agency in under three weeks.

Senior Expert Environmental Legislation at WWF Dobromir Dobrinov said that the public voice was ignored and the changes were adopted. “What needs to happen from now on to put the harmful amendments to the regulation into practice is that all forestry plans should be subjected to a new procedure for their impact on the protected areas of the Natura 2000 network, or that each logging permit should be re-coordinated with the competent authorities. WWF has already sent official letters to the Agriculture Ministry, the Forest Agency, and the six state forest enterprises, urging them to comply with these requirements,” he noted.

Further Legal Changes Expected

WWF also warns of upcoming amendments to the Regulation No. 8 of 2011 on forest harvesting, which are expected to be published soon. These changes would allow for additional large-scale logging to create corridors for forest roads, beyond what is already planned. If adopted, the amendments could make up to 17% of Bulgaria’s forest area – nearly one-fifth – eligible for such clearings.

WWF notes that the current and proposed changes to forestry regulations undermine the ecological functions of forests and the services they provide to people.