Protesters in Sofia, Bulgaria. Photo by Nadya Kotseva (Sofia Photo Agency).

Strong support for the ecosystem in Sofia

The streets of Sofia (Bulgaria) were recently full of activists and eco-champions to express their support for protected natural areas in their city.

To prove that they were ‘crazy’ for the natural environment, many eco-activists took to the streets dressed in their pajamas, with nightgowns and masks on.

The national government had recently decided to include a total of 109 protected areas, where birds live and breed, as well as 169 zones where the local flora and fauna need to be protected.

Because local government is tasked with service provision and ensuring that social and economic development needs are within the carrying capacity of the biological resource base, local government is an important manager of global biodiversity. ICLEI has established the Local Action for Biodiversity (LAB) project to explore the best ways for local governments to engage in effective biodiversity protection, utilization and management. For more information on LAB, please visit www.iclei.org/biodiversity</a..

Sofia is one of 159 local governments in Europe that are currently Members of ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability. For more information on ICLEI and its activities in Europe, please visit www.iclei.org/europe.

Source: ‘Pajama eco protest ends with arrests in Sofia’, Politics, 17 February 2007.