The road from Varna to Bourgas will be blocked for half an hour on January 12 in protest against the introduction of Natura 2000 ecological network in Bulgaria.

Residents of Avren, Byala and Dolni Chiflik organised the protest, Focus news agency reported. Nearly 100 per cent of Byala will be affected by the introduction of Natura 2000.

Avren mayor Krasimir Todorov said that representatives of the Environment and Water Affairs Ministry have not explained yet to municipal officials the manner in which the network will be introduced and how it would affect the region.

Natura 2000 would lead to poverty, as it would hinder all business initiatives, residents of the thee villages said.

The protest was the biggest to be carried out in the Varna region against Natura 2000, Darik Radio reported.