Olive growers are satisfied, the Municipality of Ulcinj calls for the defense of the landscape

While the Municipality of Ulcinj considers the latest legal solution that allows the construction of residential and tourist facilities on olive groves larger than a thousand square meters unacceptable, the owners of old olive groves in the southernmost city welcomed the decision to adopt the Amendments to the Law on Olive Growing and Olive Oil with amendments.

"We would like to thank the ambassador Edina Dešić, as well as to the other members of the parliamentary majority who supported the law. We are especially pleased that the members of the parliament are very aware of the condition of the old olive groves and the positions of their owners. The opinion of us, the olive grove owners, is that strictly controlled construction in accordance with the adopted plans is the only correct way to valorize this space," reads the letter to "Vijesti" signed by the following on behalf of the olive grove group: Avdula Dervishi i Nedjeljko Lazovic.

Last week, MPs adopted the Law on Amendments to the Law on Olive Growing and Olive Oil with amendments. Bosniak Party MP Edina Dešić submitted an amendment to the proposed article of the law relating to the ban on construction within olive groves, which was also adopted.

"Construction of residential buildings, except in the case of the construction of family residential buildings, which serve as individual housing for the owner or family member of an agricultural farm or buildings intended for the tourist valorization of olive groves, built in accordance with the ambient whole, exclusively on property larger than 0,1 hectares, with a mandatory finding and positive opinion of the competent authority of the Ministry of Agriculture," reads the amendment that was given the green light in parliament.

Ulcinj olive growers point out that the adopted Law enables a sustainable connection between olive growing and tourism, discourages illegal construction and the conversion of olive groves into rainforests.

"The condition of the old olive groves is very poor, weeds and undergrowth reach the treetops, dry stone walls have collapsed. Interest in olive groves is very low. Old olive growers have died while their descendants have turned to other, more lucrative occupations. Olive groves are cultivated only by a few enthusiasts who have excess funds and time. Their alternative fertility also contributes to the lack of interest in old olive trees, considering that they bear fruit every third or fifth year, and if they are not regularly maintained, even less often.". "In addition, due to neglect, the olive groves are under constant threat of fire," the letter to "Vijesti" reads.

It is added that the olive groves where there are holiday homes built for tourist purposes are in excellent condition, that they are maintained almost daily and that they resemble olive groves in the truest sense of the word.

"They are managed by young olive groves, which suggests that this is the only way for young people to return to olive groves and their maintenance. This can be confirmed by anyone who passes through an old olive grove. Therefore, we believe that people who advocate a total ban on construction in olive groves are consciously or unconsciously working on the gradual devastation of the olive groves, encouraging wild construction and neglect that inevitably leads to the destruction of the olive groves over time," the letter states, which ultimately emphasizes "that this is the opinion of the vast majority of owners of old olive groves in Ulcinj, whose ancestors protected and cultivated these estates with great love and dedication."

President of the Municipality Genzi Nimanbeg However, he believes that the adopted amendment poses a serious risk to the future of the olive growing area of Ulcinj.

"We believe that such provisions should not be applied mechanically, without a comprehensive analysis of the local context and without assessing the long-term consequences for the area and the community," Nimanbegu said in a press release.

He assessed that treating these areas as potential construction zones sets a dangerous precedent and leads to an irreversible loss of authenticity and degradation of the ambience that generations of Ulcinj residents have cherished for centuries.

"We consider such a legal solution unacceptable and harmful. It opens up space for urbanization to the detriment of the public interest, which directly threatens centuries-old olive groves, the sensitive ecosystem, the tradition of olive growing and the authenticity of Ulcinj as a destination of Mediterranean culture."

He recalled that the Ulcinj olive grove has around 87.000 trees, with roots that date back to the times before the Common Era.

“It is not only an agricultural resource, but also a source of health, local identity, national pride and the foundation for the sustainable development of tourism and the rural economy. This area has the potential to be nominated for the UNESCO World Heritage List, due to its universal and unrepeatable value. Therefore, we say that the olive groves of Ulcinj must be preserved in their original form.”

Nimanbegu called on MPs to review the adopted amendments, the Ministry of Agriculture to protect the public interest and prevent the devastation of the area through urban planning interventions, and the professional and general public, non-governmental organizations and competent institutions to actively engage in the defense of this precious landscape.