Environment and Water Affairs Minister Djevdet Chakurov ordered an urgent check in the national park Rila after signals indicated construction works on Sapareva Banya project had begun in the region.

The examination will be made by the national park management representatives and experts from Sofia’s regional environmental inspection, Focus news agency reported.

In February 2005, Sapareva Banya municipality presented to Sofia environmental inspection a general zoning plan that envisioned a tourism and ski centre Panichishte-Ezerata-Kabul.

Sofia’s environmental inspection concluded that the plan contradicted Bulgaria’s environmental legislation and should be revised.

Sapareva Banya municipality has not yet submitted a new project.

Chakurov said that he personally will take responsibility for watching closely the issue and preventing the national park from damage.