Local officials in Poland appeal to President over nature protection

Local leaders from Lutowiska and Bircza have issued a joint official appeal to Polish President Karol Nawrocki regarding the implementation of new nature protection measures. The officials, including Lutowiska Mayor Janusz Krupa and Bircza Mayor Anna Szymaszek, argue that environmental protections are being introduced without sufficient consultation with local communities or regional authorities.

The leaders emphasize that while they do not contest the need for environmental conservation, top-down decisions threaten the local economy, the labor market, and tourism development. In the Lutowiska municipality, forests cover 82% of the area, leaving only about 6% for open land, infrastructure, and potential investment. The officials are demanding transparent procedures and greater respect for local self-governance to ensure that conservation efforts do not undermine the socio-economic stability of the Bieszczady and Pogórze Przemyskie regions.