The Agency for the Management of Natural Resources of the Municipality of Bijelo Polje, which will be in charge of managing all protected areas on the territory of the municipality, including the Đalovića Gorge, was established in Bijelo Polje.
The decision on the establishment was adopted at a recent session of the local parliament, after the Municipality had previously officially protected the Đalovića gorge, which is one of the most valuable areas of Montenegro and which has been declared a natural monument, thanks to intensive cooperation with the non-governmental organization Eko-team and the global organization for protection of The Nature Conservancy (TNC).
As announced by the Municipality, the Agency, Eko-team and TNC will play a key role in the implementation of legal obligations arising from the Law on Nature Protection, as well as in the improvement of sustainable management of protected areas on the territory of that municipality.
"The Eko-team and TNC organizations, in addition to providing professional assistance in future work, will also donate funds to cover most of the costs in the first year of operation of this governing body. Protecting the Đalovića gorge was the first step in our efforts to preserve the natural resources of Bijelo Polje. By founding the Agency, we have taken the next big step that will enable efficient and sustainable management of all protected areas in our municipality. At the same time, the establishment of the management of protected areas was also a legal obligation arising from the Law on Nature Protection, which we successfully carried out. Our goal is for Bijelo Polje to become recognizable as a city that not only preserves, but also properly values its natural resources. Nature is our most valuable resource and it is precisely through its sustainable development that we see an opportunity to improve the quality of life of all our citizens. Sustainable tourism that respects the principles of nature protection can become a strong driver of the local economy, create new jobs and provide young people with the chance to stay and develop in their community," said the President of the Municipality. Petar Smolović.
Executive director of NGO Eco-team Milija Čabarkap he reminded that the management of protected areas in Montenegro has been facing numerous challenges for years, from the lack of management bodies and management plans, through limited financial resources, to the lack of professional staff and inadequate equipment.
"These problems significantly complicate the implementation of effective measures to protect natural resources, which is why, unfortunately, we have a large number of areas that are protected only on paper. The establishment of the Agency for the Management of Natural Resources by the Municipality of Bijelo Polje represents a really big step forward in addressing these problems. The agency will enable more systematic management and protection of the Đalovića Gorge and other protected areas on the territory of the municipality," said Čabarkapa.
Đalovića gorge is also recognized regionally for its natural beauty, and work on its protection is part of the regional initiative "Together for Rivers" launched by The Nature Conservancy in cooperation with organizations from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, North Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia.
"The Đalovića Gorge, or the upper course of the Bistrica River, is a symbol of natural beauty, not only in Montenegro but also in the entire Balkans. Therefore, it is particularly important that this area, like many other protected areas in Montenegro, is managed in an adequate and sustainable manner. The great experience and knowledge that our organization has in the management of protected areas will certainly contribute to the entire process. We are pleased to be able to directly support the work of the Agency so that it becomes a model for successful management of natural resources and an example for the countries of the region," he emphasized. Igor Vejnović, program director for Southeast Europe at The Nature Conservancy.
Until the establishment of the agency, the local Secretariat for Rural and Sustainable Development of the Municipality of Bijelo Polje managed the Natural Monument "Đalovića Klisura", and the Municipality says that the director of the newly formed Agency will be elected soon.
"Taking into account the fact that the area of the Đalovića Gorge Nature Monument represents an integrated river and terrestrial gorge protected area, which extends from the upper part of the hydrologically active flow of the Bistrica River through the Đalovića Gorge, including its source part (Head of Bistrica), where it includes the sides of the canyon, the northern and south to the peak areas where there are estates or parcels in private ownership in which protected and ecologically significant species and habitats are protected, as well as the fact that the Monument nature of the Đalovića Gorge was declared a protected area for the purpose of: implementing adequate conservation and protection measures for species important for protection and sustainable - controlled use of biological resources; preservation and improvement of biological (genetic, species, ecosystem) diversity, especially recognized species important for protection and prevention of harmful activities that may threaten special or significant components of biodiversity, it appeared necessary to establish an Agency for the management of natural resources with the aim of preservation, improvement and sustainable use natural resources of the Đalovića Gorge Nature Monument", it was stated in the proposal of that secretariat on the establishment of the agency.
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