Biodiversity of Montenegro is preserved to a significant extent, but there is still an increasing trend of numerous direct pressures on its values, according to the Agency for Nature and Environmental Protection (EPA).
On the occasion of World Environment Day, the Agency said that this year it is being celebrated under the slogan "It's time for nature", on the topic of biodiversity, which is the basis of life on earth, but also the survival, future and evolution of every organic species, including man.
As they stated, biodiversity or biological diversity is an irreplaceable and non-renewable resource.
The Agency said that the territory of Montenegro is characterized by an extraordinary genetic and ecosystem diversity of species, which ranks it as one of the most important centers of biological diversity, not only in Europe but also beyond.
"Although it has not been fully investigated, taking into account the available data, it can be appreciated that the biodiversity of Montenegro is preserved to a significant extent, but also that there is still an increasing trend of numerous direct pressures on the value of biodiversity," the Agency warned.
According to them, some of the most significant pressures are urbanization, pollution, infrastructure construction, land use change, overexploitation of resources and climate change.
The Agency said that the protection of ecosystems, species and genes in Montenegro is ensured by the implementation of relevant legal provisions and policies.
"From year to year, by creating Information on the state of the environment, the Agency, in addition to other segments, monitors the state of biodiversity, which aims to preserve, improve and protect it, through determining the state, changes and main pressures," the announcement says.
It is stated that insight into the current state of biodiversity is achieved by monitoring the state and preservation and assessment of the threat of species and habitats at the national and international level, which is a prerequisite for adequate protection and action.
The Agency said that, by implementing the relevant legal provisions and policies, significant results were achieved in that area.
Among other things, they reminded that last year, Montenegro got two more Nature Parks - Zeta River Valley and Komovi in the territory of the municipality of Kolašin.
"In terms of protecting Montenegro's biodiversity, it is essential and important to mention Natura 2000, which is based on the Habitat and Bird Directive, and which form the basis of the European nature conservation policy," the announcement says.
Montenegro, the Agency reminds, already has 3,4 percent of its territory under protection.
"However, the Nature 2000 methodology brings slightly different criteria and protection mechanisms," the announcement states.
The Agency emphasized that the definition of the proposal for the Nature 2000 area is extremely important, as it is a condition for Montenegro's accession to the European Union.
At the moment, as they stated, there are programs, plans and projects of competent institutions in which the Agency also participates, with the aim of immediate protection of certain plant and animal species, special groups of habitats or ecosystems.
The Agency said that, due to the lack of funds from national sources, projects aimed at protecting species and habitats in Montenegro are largely implemented by international organizations or financed from international funds.
"Although they require significant and burdensome financial resources, it should be known that the cost of inaction is far greater than the cost of action, no matter how complex and expensive the measures may be," concludes the Agency's statement.
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