Strumica, 1 February 2025 (MIA) - At a protest Saturday against air pollution in Strumica, citizens and environmental activists demanded urgent measures and long-term solutions for the protection of the environment and the reduction of pollution.

The protest was organized by the Strumica-based environmental association Zdrava Kotlina.

Some of the demands presented by organizers at the protest included a temporary ban on the operations of industrial plants that emit high levels of pollution until filters are installed and until they operate in accordance with environmental organizations; control of the burning of dangerous and inappropriate materials in greenhouses and industrial buildings with 24-hour patrols; the use of manual tools to measure pollution and drones; immediate closure of illegal landfills that emit toxic fumes, as well as their reconstruction and securing of the locations with cameras and barriers; as well as more frequent control over illegal deforestation for firewood.

Activist Stojan Velkov Trn said the institutions charged with tackling pollution aren’t doing anything. 

“The pollution represents mass murder of Macedonia. It is present in all cities, but Strumica is leading, it is the second most polluted city in Macedonia, the seventh in Europe. What is the source of this pollution? We have industrial capacities that pollute, we have factories that operate without filters, we have inappropriately regulated traffic, we have households who use all kinds of materials to heat their homes, but the biggest polluter is the corruption that is in power,” Velkov Trn said.

Activist and Strumica council member Gjorgi Tanushev stressed that Strumica tops the charts when it comes to diseases caused by air pollution.

“According to 2023 data from the Public Health Institute, Strumica is ranked first when it comes to circulatory diseases among young people under 18. This is a disaster. This is official medical data, and this is also true for Bitola with which we share the top spot, but we don’t have REK Bitola. Kichevo is second, they have REK Oslomej, what does Strumica have? We are second when it comes to nervous system disorders among young people. These are official reports that anyone can check,” Tanushev said. 

The protest concluded in front of the building of the Municipality of Strumica where protesters read out their demands to tackle pollution.

It received the support of several political parties. Mayor Kostadin Kostadinov participated in the protest as well. 

Photo: MIA