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STOP DN66A

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The Retezat – Godeanu – Țarcu Mountains contain one of Europe’s most valuable natural areas. It was identified as the last Intact Forest Landscape (IFL) in temperate Europe — a vast, unfragmented region where nature still functions freely.

Although the area lost its official IFL status in 2015 because of human pressures and interventions, its ecological value has NOT disappeared. It remains one of the continent’s last great wilderness areas.

The Retezat–Godeanu–Țarcu Intact Forest Landscape

The Retezat–Godeanu–Țarcu Intact Forest Landscape

The problem: DN66A

The DN66A project aims to connect Petroșani with Băile Herculane across this wilderness.

  • •19 km of road would cut directly through the habitat
  • •It crosses national parks, Natura 2000 sites and UNESCO areas
  • •It fragments vital corridors for large wildlife

A functioning ecosystem becomes fragmented and vulnerable.

The real impact

Building the road would lead to:

Habitat fragmentation

  • ✗Barriers for bears, wolves and lynx
  • ✗Undersized, ineffective wildlife crossings

Ecosystem destruction

  • ✗Water, soil and vegetation affected
  • ✗Loss of local species

Biodiversity lost

  • ✗More than 2,000 bats documented
  • ✗Species new to Romania
  • ✗Unique habitats for flora and fauna

Climate impact

  • ✗Intact forests = major carbon storage
  • ✗Their destruction accelerates the climate crisis

Timeline of Agent Green’s fight

2009–2010 — Resistance begins

Environmental organisations, including Agent Green, protest at Câmpușel and draw attention to illegalities.

  • !No environmental approval
  • !Poor or non-existent studies
  • !The first warning signs
Câmpușel protest, 2009
DN66A protest — the first actions

2010–2011 — Science contradicts the project

Agent Green coordinates Romania’s first biodiversity counter-study for an infrastructure project.

213

large-mammal crossing points

dozens

of species affected

5 days

the duration of the official study

The reality on the ground: a complex, vulnerable ecosystem.

The biodiversity counter-study
Biodiversity in the DN66A area
DN66A’s impact on wildlife
Documentation from the Retezat area

2011–2015 — The legal battle

  • !Court cases against the authorities
  • !Challenges to environmental approvals
  • !Constant public pressure
  • !Investigations and exposure of illegal logging in the Râu-Șes Valley in Retezat, part of the IFL

During this period, the area loses its formal IFL status — but it does not lose its ecological value.

Illegal logging in the Râu-Șes Valley, Retezat

Illegal logging in the Râu-Șes Valley, Retezat

2019 — The threat returns

The government revives the DN66A project.

  • !Public funding resumed
  • !Risk of international conflict (UNESCO)

30 international activists intervene. A huge banner reads “Save the primary forests” — the largest banner ever used at a protest in Romania.

Spectacular protest — Romania’s largest banner

Spectacular protest — Romania’s largest banner

An unnecessary project

DN66A is NOT necessary:

  • Functional alternative routes already exist
  • The area is inaccessible for much of the year (snow, altitude)
  • There is no real economic development strategy

It is an expensive, risky and unnecessary project.

The false promise: “development”

We are told that the road brings tourism and prosperity. The reality:

  • Similar examples have NOT brought local benefits
  • Mass tourism destroys precisely what makes the area attractive
  • Intact nature is worth more than infrastructure

Why we must stop DN66A

🌲

Europe’s last great wilderness area

🐾

Unique biodiversity

🌍

Essential for the climate

🏛️

Global heritage, not just national heritage

What we want

Permanently stop DN66A

Abandon the project and cancel all approvals issued.

Strict protection for the area

Protection status that reflects the true ecological value of the Retezat–Godeanu–Țarcu region.

Intact ecological corridors

Preserve connectivity for bears, wolves, lynx and other large species.

Respect for EU and UNESCO legislation

Compliance with European directives on habitats and natural heritage.

What you can do

  • Sign the petition
  • Share the campaign
  • Support Agent Green
  • Be the voice of nature

Not every road should be built. Some must be stopped.

Because once destroyed, wilderness never returns.

Donate now

Video

Spectacular protest — Romania’s largest banner

Spectacular protest — Romania’s largest banner

The Retezat–Godeanu–Țarcu Intact Forest Landscape

The Retezat–Godeanu–Țarcu Intact Forest Landscape

Agent Green’s biodiversity counter-study

Agent Green’s biodiversity counter-study