Bulgaria Forestry Project

Local NGOs concerned about corruption and environmental impacts of forest roads

The World Bank is in the project preparation stage for the USD 42.3 million Bulgaria Forest Development Project for which it plans to provide a loan of USD 30 million. The purported aim of the project is to increase the capacity of government institutions associated with forest monitoring and regulation, decrease forest fires, and enhance the commercial viability of forest related industries. Since forest lands cover about one third of Bulgaria's surface, and 85% of water streams are formed in forest lands, local NGOs have expressed concern as to whether the project and environmental assessments will anticipate the possible negative environmental impacts that could accompany this project. Specifically, local NGOs have expressed concern regarding how the project will address the impact of increased forest road construction, the quality of baseline assessments of forest and water resources, and the current level of corruption in illegal wood exporting and poaching. NGOs have also expressed concern as to whether regulatory and monitoring capacity building will occur prior to, rather than concurrently with, the commercial development aspects of the loan. Although this project is still in the initial assessment stage, local NGOs have proactively engaged with World Bank and government officials to request that the environmental and social studies address these concerns.