Bulgaria takes a stand against tourists abandoning trash on untouched beaches. Among them are many Romanians
On the Bulgarian coast, authorities have taken a stand against tourists, many of whom are Romanians, who set up their tents on undeveloped beaches or leave behind trash.
Among these places is Krapets, cherished by those who discover there a reminiscent ambiance of the past, akin to Vama Veche.
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However, that region also includes a protected area, and camping is only allowed under certain conditions. Bulgarian authorities are also disturbed that people relieve themselves in the forest near the sea.
Located more than 20 kilometers from Vama Veche, the beach in Ezerets is preferred by tourists who camp with tents along the Bulgarian coast. Many of them are Romanians, but there are also locals. Bulgarians complain that tourists leave behind all sorts of waste that dirties the place.
Because there are no ecological toilets set up anywhere, everyone relieves themselves in a forest that is actually a natural reserve of Lake Shabla.
Everywhere, among trees and bushes, there are wet wipes, toilet paper and all sorts of household waste. Even a sunflower field is used as a public toilet.
Man: "I've been coming to camping for a while now. I'm noticing a deterioration caused by people".
Bulgarians are also upset that tourists drive their cars onto the sand and set up their tents near the water - in areas where it's prohibited. For instance, a man entered a protected area - on some dunes in the Krapets region.
Local authorities have started installing signs warning tourists that they are on a protected beach. The issue is that these signs are currently only in Bulgarian.
Marian Jechev, mayor of Shabla: "According to the current regulations, a beachfront is considered a property. All motor vehicles, including those arriving solely for the beach and those staying with trailers, should face penalties".
The fine for those who pitch their tents in restricted areas in Bulgaria ranges from 100 to 5,000 leva. For Romanian tourists, it amounts to a maximum of 10,000 lei.
Romanians who yearn for the old-time atmosphere of Vama Veche are now going to Durankulak, Krapets, Ezerets and Shabla.
Woman: "We gave up on Vama because they didn't let us stay there anymore, so we came here. We found understanding. No one has a problem with us, I can leave things out, the next day I find them the same way, just like in Vama where we had to gather everything, we come with pets, we don't bother anyone".
Bulgarian authorities have announced that in the coming period, control teams will patrol the areas of these beaches.
