Silistra Province is home to the Srebarna Biosphere Reserve, located just 16 kilometres from the provincial capital. One version of the reserve's name refers to the breathtaking view of the lake under moonlight. But beyond its stunning silvery waters, the reserve lies directly along the Via Pontica – one of the main migratory routes for birds travelling between Europe and Africa.

Sadly, over the past 16 years, the negligence of mayors in the Silistra municipality and the Regional Inspectorate of Environment and Water – now under the control of the DPS-NN (Movement for Rights and Freedoms – National Movement) –has been devastating this invaluable natural treasure of northeastern Bulgaria. A wastewater treatment plant, started by the municipality between 2005 and 2009, still stands unfinished, with no hope of ever becoming operational. Although BGN 7 million were initially invested, construction came to a halt due to a shortage of an additional BGN 2 million. As a result, wastewater from the village of Srebarna is discharged directly into the lake, polluting it with chemicals, destroying the habitat for rare species, and driving away tourists with its foul smell and distressing sights.

An interesting fact: reeds cover about two-thirds of the reserve’s area, which is also home to 139 species of higher plants—11 of which are rare or endangered outside the boundaries of Srebarna. The animal kingdom includes 41 species of mammals, 11 species of reptiles, 10 species of amphibians, and 24 species of fish, such as the otter, the European wildcat, pike, rudd, lake crayfish, and others.

All of this is now on the verge of disappearing due to the authorities' negligence in completing such a crucial project as the treatment plant. Another serious issue remains the massive illegal landfill, covering around 50 decares (12 acres) near the lake. Household, construction, and agricultural waste are dumped together there, making cleanup a challenging and costly undertaking.

Thus, a once-blessed piece of land is turning into a nightmare that people are fleeing from. Although rural property investment interest has seen a slight increase in recent years, much of Srebarna's population is elderly, the local school has been closed for many years, and now resembles the set of a horror film. Instead of bustling with life and visitors, the village is slowly but surely fading into obscurity. At the same time, political players profit at the expense of Bulgarian taxpayers, handing out state contracts and destroying nature in order to build renewable energy installations that push the human factor out of the equation.

Photo:bulgariatravel.org 

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