Perović: Local administrations to adopt a joint Resolution for the protection of the Zeta River

The environmental movement Ozone called on the local authorities in Nikšić, Danilovgrad and Podgorica to, in cooperation with the Government, begin the process of legal protection of the area of ​​the Zeta River, as one of the most recognizable and important watercourses in Montenegro.

In that non-governmental organization, they believe that it is necessary to strategically recognize the importance of that watercourse for the further development of local communities, in accordance with the great ecological importance of the Zeta River with its tributaries and hydrological phenomena, the specificities of its upper and lower course.

The director of Ozone, Aleksandar Perović, believes that it is important to recognize the potential for national branding of Montenegro as an ecological state, that is, overall social prosperity.

Perović said that Ozon proposes that the local administrations of Nikšić, Danilovgrad and Podgorica, to begin with, adopt a joint Resolution for the protection of the Zeta River, in order to enable the interested public to get involved in this initiative.

"And that the Government of Montenegro, through the competent institutions, the Ministry of Sustainable Development and Tourism, i.e. the Agency for the Protection of Nature and the Environment, open a public discussion so that all important facts can be seen through a reasoned discussion," said Perović.

He assessed that it is very important that the protection study recognizes the local specificities of the Zeta River area, in order to propose the appropriate degrees of protection, in accordance with the Law on Nature Protection.

"But he also tried to recognize its full potential in the context of the development direction of the ecological state, which could also be interesting for proposing a type of protection," said Perović.

He believes that the protection of the Zeta River, bearing in mind that its ecosystem importance is recognized, apart from national and local strategic documents and at the international level, is also important in the context of European integration and the success of negotiations through Chapter 27. Perović said that this is another agrument more for the joint resolution of the local administrations of the municipalities through which it passes.

"The very name of this river has an identity, historical and national significance, so passing a joint resolution on its protection would show the true patriotism of all citizens, who understand the potential of the development idea of ​​an ecological state in the best possible way," said Perović.

He announced that "Ozone" will start gathering citizens' support for the protection of the Zeta River and organize a series of thematic events, in order to create a stimulating environment for public reasoned discussion and active participation of citizens in the decision-making process concerning the environment.