The Minister of Environment and Water Borislav Sandov declared three centuries-old ash trees (Fraxinus angustifolia/oxycarpa) under protection.

The trees are located on “St. Knyaz Boris I” street in the town of Gorna Oryahovitsa. “Centuries-old trees are not just a link between generations, they are also unique ecosystems. Trees are the lungs of nature and are of great importance for the air we breathe,” said Minister Sandov, urging local authorities and citizens to identify centuries-old trees in order to study them and declare them under protection.

The trees are in good condition, about 120 years old, 12 meters high, with a trunk circumference between 3.60 and 4.20 meters. The proposal for the protection of the three ash trees was submitted by the Association of Parks in Bulgaria in early November.

The Minister’s order prohibits uprooting, felling, pruning, breaking of branches, damage to the stem, and any other actions that would lead to the destruction, damage, or deterioration of the physical condition of the trees. They will be entered in the registers in accord with the requirements of the Biodiversity Act, as well as marked as centuries-old trees.

Timely and organized protection of trees in urban areas is one of the priorities of the MOEW and aims to increase public awareness and institutional care for environmental protection in residential areas across the country.

The event of the declaration was attended by the Mayor of Gorna Oryahovitsa eng. Dobromir Dobrev and the Director of RIEW-Veliko Tarnovo Tsonka Hristova.

In response to a journalist, Minister Sandov said that the intention of investment for a quarry in the area of ​​the village of Samovodene is at a very early stage and a procedure has yet to be started. He said he has good communication with civil society and later met with representatives of the initiative committee “No to Quarries Near Samovodene”, who presented information they have on the investment intention and shared their concerns with the minister.

In regard to the investment intention near the village of Varbovka, Minister Sandov said that RIEW-Veliko Tarnovo has operational independence. “As a minister, I do not currently have direct impact on this case. I will have such after the RIEW has issued its decision. What is important to say, is that a local referendum was held in the village of Varbovka and it should be taken into account,” said Minister Sandov. He added that in regard to concrete intentions of investment, the opinion of the local population must be taken into consideration.