• The Ministry of Environment and Water again reminds that the use of motorized vehicles on the territory of the three national parks is prohibited.

Massive actions against the unregulated riding of snowmobiles and motorcycles adapted for winter conditions were carried out over the last week on the territory of all three national parks - Rila, Pirin, and Central Balkan. The actions were carried out by park guards in the national parks with the assistance of the Ministry of Interior to establish the identity of the detained persons.

Within the framework of the action in the area of the Begovitsa hut in Pirin National Park, four violators were captured, against whom the relevant legal measures were taken.

In Rila National Park on March 11, the action lasted more than 10 hours in the area of Mount Mechit. Invitations were sent to the violators to receive acts establishing administrative violations.

On March 15, in the area of the Bukova Mogila, employees of the Central Balkan National Park Directorate, after repeatedly observing traces of unauthorized entry into the territory, identified five violators. They were traveling on motorcycles on a road prohibited for motor vehicles according to the provisions of the National Park Management Plan. Two of the drivers were detained on the spot. The remaining three managed to leave the area before their identities were established.

The specialized actions to control compliance with the regimes in the three protected areas are part of the regular efforts by the national park directorates to limit the unauthorized movement of motor vehicles outside the permitted roads with free access, which poses a serious threat to natural habitats, fragile mountain ecosystems, and the peace of visitors.

The Ministry of Environment and Water once again reminds that the use of motorized vehicles, including snowmobiles, on the territory of the three national parks is prohibited. Exceptions are allowed only when carrying out urgent activities in the forests or when conducting rescue operations.

Control activities in the mountains continue. We appeal to citizens to be responsible and, if they notice violations, to report them to the hot lines of the park directorates or to 112.