The Tatras, a significant national park in Slovakia, are currently at risk due to new zoning laws proposed by the Ministry of Environment led by Tomáš Taraba. Critics warn that this could be a continuation of the problematic privatization seen in the 1990s, which led to state hotels and facilities being sold off for a fraction of their worth, often resulting in exploitation for profit at the expense of the region's natural resources.

The article highlights that during the privatization era, many significant sites in the Tatras transitioned from public to private ownership, with various developers enriching themselves through the construction of hotels and resorts. There are growing concerns that the pressure to expand ski slopes, parking facilities, and housing developments around popular tourist areas like Štrbské Pleso and Tatranská Lomnica will soon escalate, leading to further environmental damage despite existing conservation efforts. The past experiences of the Tatras serve as a cautionary tale against unregulated development in the face of supposed modernization.

Additionally, there are references to past attempts to host the Winter Olympics in the Tatras, which were also tied to the privatization efforts. The ongoing struggle for environmental protection against commercial interests underscores the tensions present in Slovakia as policymakers grapple with how to balance economic growth and environmental conservation. The implications of the proposed zoning changes could set a precedence that impacts not just the Tatras but the broader discourse on public land management in Slovakia.