Asphalt around the Captain's Lake - devastation or necessity?

The asphalting of the road from Bar Bojović to Kapetan's Lake has caused public controversy in recent days. Although everyone agrees that the road should be asphalted and thereby make life easier for cattle herders who are there on the katuns, there is a dispute about 200 meters right next to the coast, from where the asphalting began.

While Nikšić's local administration points out that the already existing macadam road is asphalted and that in many countries asphalt roads run along the coast itself, environmental activists warn that macadam is not the same as asphalt, which will be an integral part of the lake in winter due to the water level.

Journalist and activist Vuk Vujisic he pointed out that it is commendable to connect towns and villages, but in a sustainable and legal way, because "everything else is reckless bragging", and that it is necessary to check whether the road paving project had all the necessary permits.

"The law, procedures and natural beauty must be respected, no matter which authority and structure they come from. Now we have to see if there are criminal or misdemeanor responsibilities in this action, but also to look at the sustainability of the project paid for by the money of the citizens of Montenegro", said Vujisić for "Vijesti".

The asphalt road became part of the lake

He reminded that the lake is under the influence of waste water from illegal buildings and that the entire katun is being pressured by illegal construction and what such construction brings, and now the asphalt around the lake will further worsen the situation.

"Oil and petroleum from the asphalt will now end up in a lake that is not flowing, so even minimal pollution can lead to serious consequences. Just one liter of engine oil pollutes a million liters of drinking water, and considering the type of cars used, a large amount of it ends up on the asphalt, and when it is washed off, it ends up in the lake. The lake and katun must be protected, and illegal construction and its consequences must be suppressed, because soon a mountain lake, such as Kapetanovo, can become a waste water pond and thus lose all its potential", warned Vujisić.

And a civic activist Aleksandar Dragićević he pointed out that no one has a problem with the asphalting of six kilometers of the country road, but rather "the asphalting of the lake".

"Not the shores, but the lake, because the asphalt road became part of the lake. We are talking about a section of about 200 meters. Asphalt will be an integral part of the lake in winter due to the winter water level, and maintenance will be expensive and almost impossible," said Dragićević.

Like Vujisić, he also pointed out the problem of illegal construction that visually destroyed the landscape around the lake itself, as well as that the asphalt will only encourage illegal construction.

"When 150 or 200 meters of asphalt is done unplanned and hastily, it is a big problem. Instead of solving the existing problems, we created another one - it will turn out to be a big one," said Dragićević.

"It's much better when we are criticized for working, than not working"

The reconstruction and asphalting of the road from Bar Bojović to Kapetan's Lake, with a length of about 6,1 kilometers, is financed by the Public Works Administration, the value is about half a million euros, and the funds are provided from the capital budget. The contractor is the company "Mechanizacija i programat" from Nikšić, and about 1,5 kilometers have been completed so far, and the completion of the works will depend on the weather.

"The budget was the subject of public discussion, and this is a project that is known to be implemented from January 1 of this year. It is interesting that many 'generals' get involved after the battle, only after the work is practically finished, to teach someone how something should have been done. The road was reconstructed and asphalted according to all necessary procedures. It is worth repeating that this is an already existing road. Therefore, a new road was not built, only gravel was replaced with asphalt", the President of the Municipality told "Vijesti" Marko Kovacevic.

In response to criticism that by asphalting the section along the lake, they practically "paved the lake" and devastated it, he cited examples of countries across Europe where "numerous attractive natural destinations became accessible to a larger number of people by asphalting", while in Switzerland "asphalted roads pass right next to the shore of the mountain lakes, even through the lake itself, without disturbing the existing ambience".

"It is much better that even when they criticize you, they do it because of work, not because of lack of work. And we are definitely working," said the President of the Municipality of Nikšić.

President of the Municipal Assembly Nemanja Vuković he pointed out that the reconstructed road will make life easier for cattle herders, and that numerous invitations and messages of gratitude are proof that they made the right move.

"It is completely understandable that someone has a different point of view than ours, but it is always necessary to take all aspects into account. The Municipality of Nikšić and our services will make maximum efforts to preserve the current environment and prevent an irresponsible attitude both towards the environment and the space, and I believe that we will have the help of the Municipality of Kolašin as well as state institutions. By asphalting the existing road, we did not invent hot water, nor did we do anything that much more developed and advanced countries than ours have not done," said Vuković.

He said that they will continue to work to solve citizens' problems, as well as to "minimize the consequences of the actions of a part of our fellow citizens due to whose irresponsible attitude towards the environment we all suffer".

Part of the public accused the local administration of asphalting the road because of the construction of the future church near the Captain's Lake, the foundations of which were consecrated in mid-July, and not because of the herdsmen.

"The foundation stone for the church was laid in the middle of July this year, and our project was included in the state budget at the end of the previous year, so our motive was definitely not related to the construction of the church itself, but I am glad that both material and spiritual needs are met at the same time residents of that region", said Kovačević.

"This is a golden ribbon for us locals"

On Mount Lukavica, which is the tri-border municipality of Nikšić, Kolašin and Danilovgrad, five tribes have their katuns, and the area around Kapetan's lake has been the katun of the inhabitants of Velje Duboko for centuries. Once there were more than 30 families, and today there are ten of them. All of them are engaged in animal husbandry, they mostly have cattle and sheep, and this summer they called on the authorities to prevent the usurpation of katun and stop the construction of buildings that are expanding.

Locals who build on Kapetan's lake believe that the road being paved on the Nikšić side will not further devastate the road to the lake, but will make it easier for them, as well as for tourists, to get there.

"This is not a road, this is a golden lane for us locals. Now he's raising a dozen families at a time. There are people who have 20 cattle each, but also those who have 200-300 sheep each. This time it will mean all of us. Those who protest about the part around the lake have the wrong opinion.

The shore of the lake is not asphalted, but rather a passing road that goes to Kapa Moračka, where they have two more katuns. How fortunate that the Municipality of Kolašin paves those two kilometers of roads", he told "Vijesta" Dragomir Minic, who has a registered rural household.

He proudly points out that he is the oldest resident who was born and grew up near the Captain's Lake, in the village of Veljedubočan.

"I am 71 years old and this weekend I was happy when I saw how many people from Nikšić came. This road means tourists, many of whom could not get to the lake because not all of them have jeeps or strong motorbikes. It was nice to see over 200 people from Nikšić this weekend," said Minic.

Branislav Draskovic is a herdsman who has the most cattle on the katun near the Captain's lake.

"I have 10 to 12 cattle, three or four horses, over 200 sheep and goats, and I look after about 200 other people's sheep. This trip means a lot to us, especially since we are mostly tied to Nikšić in the summer. Now we are much relieved. As for the part of the road around the lake, I don't see it doing any harm, but I don't see it doing too much good either. It is true that the road will bring more tourists, but it is better to have people than not. A large number of tourists should not devastate the lake", Drašković believes.

It is about five kilometers from the lake to Velje Duboko. Drašković points out that it would be good if the road on the Kolašin side was also repaired.

"They don't have to pave it. And there is not even a road to the village of Velje Duboko, let alone an asphalted one," said Drašković for "Vijesti".

It seems that the wish of the people of Veljedubočan will come true, because the Municipality of Kolašin intends to start the rehabilitation of the road from their side

Useful for everything, but the part around the lake should not have been done

A woman from Nikšić Ana Petrović Njegoš and her husband Branko Cerovic they often cycle or walk to Captain's Lake, which is their favorite tourist destination and cycling route.

"I'm not overly enthusiastic about the asphalt, but I think that the people who go up there and have katuns are probably satisfied. It will be easier for livestock farmers to transport their livestock, while restaurateurs will be happy with more tourists. We should not forget that mass tourism is recognized as one of the major environmental polluters," said Petrović.

She is not against the fact that as many tourists as possible come and see the pearl that is the Captain's Lake, but they all have to respect the etiquette in the mountain.

"Asphalt will be used by everyone - both those who complain today and those who rejoice. We will not jump over it, nor will we carry a bicycle on our backs, but everyone agrees on one thing - the asphalt around the lake should not have been built", she said.