The area of the current Mediterranean garden on the Podgorica hill of Gorica has been neglected and biologically passive for decades, and unscrupulous visitors leave litter every day, the associate for the development and improvement of the nature monument (SP) "Park šuma Gorica" told "Vijesta" Zoran Bojović.
Several regular recreationists and locals wrote to the "News" about the area of the Mediterranean Garden, which, they claim, has become overgrown and impassable. They are also worried that the garden, they claim, is often without proper physical supervision, so they often find trash and "things that don't belong there".
"We want to visit the garden with the families, but it has become quite impossible. There, for example, they have those benches that are very nice and pleasant for resting. Those who like to come alone will find peace here, with a book or a magazine. No one bothers him. Also, children could learn a lot in nature, but everything, as you can see, is overgrown. It is almost impossible to walk here. This makes us especially sad. We would like it not to be like that and for the citizens to preserve this untouched nature that was given to us", said one of the local women.
Bojović pointed out that the area of the garden, since its opening, "is in the function of education and cultivation of aromatic Mediterranean plants".
"Like lavender, rosemary, lemon balm, olives, figs, various citrus fruits... Of the total area of 4.549 square meters, close to 3.000 square meters have been cultivated, so it is necessary to adapt the remaining area to the garden concept, which is planned for the beginning of next year," he said. is Bojović.
He pointed out that the non-governmental organization (NGO) "Association of Lovers of Gorica and Nature", in cooperation with donors and the capital, initiated and realized the project "Mediterranean Garden - Green Classroom".
"And according to their volunteer capacities, they take care of the maintenance of the garden. The garden is open to visitors throughout the day and night, and unscrupulous visitors leave small trash every day, which greatly contributes to the feeling of lack of maintenance. Also, part of the garden is intended for the growth of native flora, which is not decorative in the summer months because it dries up and looks unaesthetic", Bojović explained.
He said that the Mediterranean Garden "in spite of that, is one of the most beautiful and comfortable parts of Gorica".
"Especially for visitors who enjoy silence, the sounds of nature and the scents of aromatic plants," he told "Vijesti".
Bojović also emphasized the educational purpose of the garden, adding that more educational visits and workshops are organized there.
"During the last school year, through 14 educative visits, 330 children, pupils and students stayed in the garden, and the 'Association of Gorica and Nature Lovers' carried out 22 campaigns to remove excess plant waste from the terrain of the hill (about 100 cubic meters) in which 280 citizens participated," said Bojović.
He also announced the expansion of the garden, because, he says, that area is "susceptible to it".
"The expansion of the garden will include an increase in the comfort of visitors through the construction of new footpaths and educational content, new plantings of Mediterranean plants, as well as new park furniture," concludes Bojović.
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