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In 2004, a heavy windstorm hit the Tatra National Park in northern Slovakia. Despite the strict national and international conservation regulations, 93% of the windbreak areas were commercially harvested, with only the most precious reserves saved for natural forest regeneration. Two and a half years later, however, the foresters invaded even here (see pictures from this April). As the state environment authorities, being under heavy influence of timber industry lobbyists, fail to protect even the most precious nature reserves from commercial pressures, on April 28, 2007, more than 1,000 people declared the Ticha and Koprova valleys "Areas Protected by Citizens" (see pictures from the event). Even though the Slovak Environment Inspectors suspended the works back in April, two months later they declared that the logging had caused no harm to the fragile ecosystems! So the threat remains. Presently, the case is being investigated by the European Commission, as Slovakia violated several EU directives by having damaged areas of high European conservation importance. Now more than ever, we need your voice to be heard - the value of the Silent valley reaches far beyond the Slovak border. WE NEED YOUR HELP! Massive protests went on in Slovakia, international organizations incl. World Wildlife Fund expressed their deep concerns about the recent actions in Ticha valley as well as inside the Slovak nature conservation authorities, hundreds of scientists appealed to the government against distruction of these precious biotopes, however the danger is all but over. We need urgent international help! What you can do: - call or send a letter or a fax to Mr. Robert Fico, Prime Minister of the Slovak Republic telling him that you are concerned about the violation of European legislative in Ticha and Koprova valleys in the Tatra National Park. Robert FICO, Prime Minister of the
Slovak Republic - urge the European Commission to investigate the infringement of the EU Habitat Directive and to call on Slovakia to secure permanent protection of these two valleys of Europe-wide importance: Patrick MURPHY patrick.murphy@ec.europa.eu - write to the Slovak Ambassador in your country - ask your member of the European Parliament for interpellation: The Secretary General of the European Commission received the complaint in November 22, 2005 and registered it under reference number SG(2005) A/10302. Ask members of the EP to urge launching legal proceedings of the EU against the Slovak Republic for damaging biotopes protected within the NATURA 2000 network.
e-mail contact: ticha@ticha.sk |
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