The appeal of the Minister of Environment and Water Manol Genov against the decision of the Municipal Council in Sliven to create a settlement resort "Daulite" in the "Sinite Kamani" Nature Park has been upheld by the court. The Administrative Court in Sliven annulled the decision of the Municipal Council as unlawful.

The contested decision of the Municipal Council was adopted in November 2024 on the basis of provisions in the Law on Local Self-Government and Local Administration and the Law on Administrative-Territorial Organization of the Republic of Bulgaria. It designates 9.5 hectares in Daulite as a settlement entity. The argument of the local authorities was that this would attract investments and develop tourism.

A series of protests by citizens and environmental organizations took place in the city, related to the intention to create "settlement entities" in the mountains, as well as the removal of nearly 12 acres from the "Sinite Kamani" Nature Park. In June last year, the municipal councilors rejected from the agenda a proposal to overturn the decision.

The Ministry of Environment and Water stood in defense of the preservation of the Sinite Kamani Nature Park.

In its reasoning, the court confirms the objections raised by the Ministry of Environment and Water against the act - that the procedural rules for issuing an administrative act were not complied with, which requirements are provided for by the legislator in the interest of the public and the parties affected by the act.

The decision of the Administrative Court in Sliven is subject to appeal.