Environment Minister Diana Buzoianu stated on Tuesday in Brasov that she wants future protected natural areas to be genuinely rich in biodiversity, not arbitrarily drawn „with a pen, from an office” without considering on-the-ground realities, as has happened in some projects so far.

„What we want – and what I personally want – is for these areas to truly have biodiversity. Over time, we have had situations that, unfortunately, have damaged the credibility of environmental protection projects. Unfortunately, areas where economic activities had been carried out for years were placed under protection – some even under strict protection, including within built-up areas (…) or on land used for agriculture for decades. I want the real treasures to be identified and protected. I don’t want to turn the European exercise of expanding these protected areas into a tick-box exercise and block communities. (…) I want to increase the protected areas, but only where it is truly necessary. (…) We must stop drawing these areas from behind desks, we need to go out in the field and see them for ourselves,” Diana Buzoianu said.

She underscored that the designation of these protected areas is a milestone under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) and must be completed by the end of the year, however, discussions are currently underway with the European Commission to extend the deadline until August next year.

In parallel with identifying these areas, the necessary methodology for their approval is also expected to be drafted, the Environment Minister underscored. AGERPRES