NORTH-EAST REGION - Environment
Environmental problems on Danube and Black Sea
Damage to the environment is one of the main problems this region faces. Environmental conditions have worsened substantially in the border region of Silistra and in the Varna Bay area, due to the cross-border air and water pollution from Romania. The highest emissions of ammonia and second highest levels of sulphur oxides occur here, due mainly to the concentration of chemical enterprises in and around the region. A further grave problem is that arising from pollution from the major rivers which flow into the Black Sea. Moreover, due to intensive fishing, the number of fish has decreased considerably in recent years. The ecological balance has also been disturbed by the intense development of the tourist sector in this region.
At 80 m3 per capita, the consumption of water in the region is lower than the national average, reflecting the substantial share of the population which has water restrictions imposed upon it (21.3%). The situation in the region of Dobrich is of particular concern, since the entire population faces water restrictions. The only areas with a regular water supply are the regions of Razgrad and Silistra. Seasonal influxes of tourists only worsen this situation.
The gas pipeline from the Ukraine, which connects to the national pipeline at Devnya, crosses the North-East region. The telecommunications network is relatively well developed, the region having 16% of the total telephone posts in the country. At the end of 2002, the number of telephone posts (including the installed direct, party-line and supplementary telephone apparatus to the settlements' telephone exchanges) was 459 625 of which 84% for households.
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