Bucharest – A bill being considered by the Romanian Parliament would give tax incentives for construction of casinos and retail space in the Danube Delta and other ecologically sensitive areas of Romania. WWF-Romania and other Romanian NGOs, in particular Eco-Civica Foundation, Birdlife Romania, Federation Coalition Natura 2000 and the Conservation Carpathia Foundation, urge members of the Romanian Parliament to reject this proposal.
The legislation, if passed, would transform the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and other protected natural areas in Romania into shopping and entertainment zones without taking into account the protection of their unique values.
The Danube Delta provides habitat for 300 species of birds, most of them strictly protected under European law. As the new law does not call for strict avoidance of environmental impacts, there is a significant risk of losing rare species and protected habitats.
