Transparency Serbia and the Regulatory Institute for Renewable Energy and the Environment (RERI) have raised concerns over recently adopted legal amendments. These changes allow for the repurposing of forest land devastated by fires for projects deemed to be of public interest. The organizations warn these amendments lack transparency and could lead to unchecked development in previously protected areas. They argue the changes effectively bypass environmental safeguards and create opportunities for potentially harmful construction projects. Specifically, the law alters planning regulations, making it easier to reclassify burned forest land. Critics fear this will incentivize inaction on fire prevention and facilitate opportunistic land grabs. The groups are calling for greater scrutiny and public debate surrounding the changes and their potential consequences for Serbia’s environment.