The Ecological Disaster at Praid: Solutions, Prevention, and Missed Opportunities. A TVR Discussion: Who Decides Praid’s Future?

Last weekend, I participated in a debate on TVR’s “Inspire Romania,” alongside the Minister of Economy, the director of the Geological Institute, Professor Alexandru Bodislav, and a local entrepreneur, to seek solutions for the ecological crisis at Praid.

The Topic?

A disaster that threatens not only the environment but also the future of a community of 3,000 people.

The Real Impact: More Than a News Headline

What did we learn? Sometimes, the media can do more harm than good. Praid has been obsessively portrayed as a “cataclysm,” resulting in a wave of booking cancellations and widespread panic. But is this really the reality on the ground? The guesthouse owner present at the discussion made it clear: the area has much more to offer than just the salt mine, but media hysteria has cast doubt on everything.

Why Don’t We Prevent? Why Do We Only Act After Disaster Strikes?

I raised a simple but essential question: why don’t we think about prevention? Why do we always react only after the damage is done? Solutions exist and are within reach, but what’s missing is initiative and vision.

Untapped European Funds: Lost Opportunities

I discussed with Corina Murafa about European funds for climate adaptation—funds that Romania hasn’t even applied for! These resources could have helped communities like Praid become more resilient to climate change. Why wasn’t there a joint project between Praid commune and the Harghita County Council to stop the infiltrations and divert the Corund river? Was it really that hard?

Who Truly Understands Climate Resilience?

The real problem seems to be a lack of understanding among authorities. How many mayors, county council presidents, or ministry directors truly understand the concepts of resilience and climate adaptation? How many are willing to initiate projects or at least show interest in the subject?