Peter Olexa, who took over as the director of the Tatra National Park Administration in autumn 2023, was initially seen as an ally of environmental secretary Filip Kuffa. However, a significant conflict arose between them as the environment ministry needed to finalize the zoning plan for the park which is essential for Slovakia to access European funds under the recovery plan. Olexa felt aggrieved when Kuffa attributed deficiencies in the zoning preparation directly to Olexa's leadership at TANAP.

In a detailed statement posted on social media, Olexa addressed Kuffa's comments about the park's zoning, emphasizing the complexities and challenges involved in the planning process. He rejected Kuffa's insinuations that the difficulties in developing this critical zoning were a result of his management, instead highlighting the intricate balance required between conservation efforts and the interests of ski resorts, which are often prioritized in such discussions.

The implications of this conflict stretch beyond their personal disagreements; it signals potential setbacks in environmental conservation efforts within the Tatra National Park. As the ministry pushes to finalize the zoning plan, the friction between Kuffa and Olexa could impact how the park is managed in the future, including considerations related to the use of European funds and the prioritization of ecological protection versus recreational development.