The Nikšić field is the largest karst field in Montenegro, but also the richest karst field in the Dinarides. There are about 300 springs, 32 estavellas, one mukavica, 30 streams and about 900 sinkholes. Nevertheless, the area of Nikšić field has been unjustifiably neglected both in the scientific and promotional-tourism sense, and it is necessary to further promote this area.
This was assessed by the participants of the round table "The Importance of Preserving the Nikšić Watershed and the Zeta River in Ecological and Economic Terms".
The organizer of the event, which was attended by representatives of environmental NGOs and the municipal Secretariat for Environmental Protection, is the NGO "Župa u srcu".
The round table was organized as part of the "Endemnik" project, which is financed by the "Partnership Fund for Critically Endangered Ecosystems" (CEPF), so Jovo Radulović, president of "Jupa u srcu", presented the project and the expected results, but also pointed out, as he said, non-transparency and harmful environmental impact of the Electric Power Company of Montenegro (EPCG) on the environment of the Nikšić basin.
"The attitude of EPCG towards the area in Nikšić is monopolistic. This company, it seems, imposes ready-made solutions on all of us. This was the case with the recently signed canal reconstruction project, which the public and the non-governmental sector are not familiar with and have no information about the impact it will have on the environment2, Radulović said.
Bojan Zeković from the Center for the Protection and Study of Birds (CZIP) presented the data obtained through monthly monitoring of birds in this area.
"The Nikšić karst field is one of the most important in Montenegro and is at the top in importance as a migratory area for birds," said Zeković.
Miloš Džiknić, from the NGO "Zeleni centar", said that Nikšić should emulate some European regions where bird watching and the increased attractiveness of the area brought significant economic benefits.
"Miodrag Karadžić from the Society of Young Ecologists Nikšić, gave a view of the environmental problems of the Nikšić watershed, also emphasizing unethical environmental behavior when it comes to EPCG, at the same time citing the constant problem of the death of a huge amount of fish during the annual overhaul that this company usually carries out in August", it is stated in "Parish in the Heart" announcement.
Drago Milić and Boro Vuković, from the Municipal Secretariat for Environmental Protection, emphasized the need to increase the number of areas in Nikšić that will be under protection, but also to establish a management system over already protected areas, as well as the importance of the Biodiversity Plan, which is still was not adopted in the Municipality of Nikšić.
"The participants also reached some common conclusions related to better organization of NGOs, the involvement of experts and other institutions in the popularization of the mentioned area. We will send a letter to Elektroprivreda and ask for a meeting on the topic of environmental protection in the Nikšić basin. This company, although duly invited, did not took part in the round table, avoiding the discussion on the topic of the environment and the future of the Nikšić basin", they conclude from "Župa u srcu".
Bonus video:
