On March 18, about 150 people gathered around 9am to protest against the pollution in the village of Gulubovo, some 15km south of Plovdiv.

Gulubovo initiative committee for environment protection wants the Cabinet to create an ad hoc committee that would resolve the municipality heavy environmental problems.

Boiko Boychev, a member of the initiative committee, said that the local residents declared their strong position against the refusal of Maritsa Iztok 3 thermal power plant to respect the laws.

On February 26, the power plant once again gassed Gulubovo, with sulphur dioxide levels in the air double the maximum allowed, according to data from the Stara Zagora environmental inspectorate, as quoted by Dnevnik daily.

It was the third time in February alone that the quantity of poisonous chemicals exceeded the admissible norms. At that time, the experts recommended the residents not to go out of their houses and cover the windows.

In case the protesters’ demands are not satisfied, on March 20 they would block the road between Radnevo and Gulubovo, Focus news agency reported.