A group of non-governmental organizations called on the authorities to make corrections to the Draft Spatial Plan of Montenegro and to include the upper course of the Ćehotina River in the plans of potential protected nature areas.
"In the process of public debate on the Draft Spatial Plan of Montenegro until 2024, a group of non-governmental organizations responded to the exclusion of the area of the upper reaches of the Ćehotina River in the territory of the municipality of Pljevlja from plans for potential protected nature areas. Considering the importance of the upper course of this river as an exceptional natural and cultural-historical resource, such a move causes serious concern and raises many questions," the statement of the group of non-governmental organizations states.
The organizations Eko-team, Center for the Protection and Study of Birds, Da žavivi selo, Parkovi Dinarida, Montenegrin Society of Ecologists, EnvPro and Legalis are part of a group of non-governmental organizations that emphasize the importance of including the upper course of the Ćehotina River in the territory of the municipality of Pljevlja in the zone of planned protected nature areas of Montenegro. Above.
Therefore, they call on the relevant authorities to make corrections to the Draft Spatial Plan of Montenegro and take into account local and national interests, the need to preserve biological diversity, as well as the potential for socio-economic development of the area.
"In our comments, as well as in the documents we attached to them, we showed how the Municipality of Pljevlja initiated the procedure for the protection of the upper reaches of the ijehotina in accordance with the Law on Nature Protection. The protection study, prepared by the Environmental Protection Agency of Montenegro, highlights the national and international importance of this area for many plant and animal species and their habitats, many of which are on the list of endangered species. In addition, the importance of protection and preservation of this area as a potential driver of the socio-economic development of the entire region was recognized," said Milija Čabarkapa, executive director of the Eco-team organization.
They wonder why the Draft Spatial Plan of Montenegro, in the part about potential protected areas, does not recognize the importance of protecting the upper reaches of the Ćehotina in the territory of Pljevlja.
The protection study shows that the protection of the upper stream does not affect potential development plans, nor is it in conflict with the interests of local communities. On the contrary, the proposed protected area, as highlighted in the relevant documents, has the potential to stimulate the development of agriculture, and supports the sustainable use of natural resources and does not threaten private property or its disposal. When the arguments and facts presented in the protection study are taken into account, it is difficult to understand why the upper course of the Ćehotina River in Pljevlja is not explicitly included in the Draft Spatial Plan, as was initially foreseen through the Spatial Plan concept that was previously available to the public. The initiation of the protection procedure by the Municipality of Pljevlja, the positive opinions of the competent institutions, the consent of the Ministry of Ecology, Spatial Planning and Urbanism, indicate a clear need and desire to protect that area," adds Čabarkapa.
He adds that the protection of the upper course of the Ćehotina is not only a local interest, but of national importance, as it preserves the country's precious natural resources and contributes to the sustainable development of Montenegro.
"Therefore, the question arises - is someone obstructing the protection", the announcement states.
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