The Štitar Miracle, as the plant discovered by Dr. Snežana Dragićević in the area of the village of Kosijeri is known to the general public, is on the List of Protected Species, which is in the proposal phase, and cooperation has been agreed with the Royal Capital to initiate the protection procedure for the area where the plant is located.
This was, among other things, told "Vijesti" by Dr. Dragićević, an independent advisor at the Center for Energy and Ecology (ENEKO) at the Montenegrin Academy of Sciences and Arts (CANU).
She and her interlocutors from the Royal Capital and the Mountaineering and Sports Association (PSK) "Soko" from Cetinje spoke to "Vijesti" about the significance of this scientific finding, as well as further steps aimed at protecting the "miracle", the plant Petrolamium crnojevicii Dragićević, Vuksanović & Surina, and the location where it grows.
The public learned at the beginning of March, when CANU and the Natural History Museum of Montenegro reported that a plant that is found nowhere else in the world grows in the Cetinje villages, not far from the remains of the former Soko Grad.
The story began in 2019, when Dr. Dragićević, then a curator at the Natural History Museum, and her colleague Marko Karaman headed towards Štitari to tour a cave to help with the research of their colleagues from Slovenia.
"During the expedition, we came across characteristic plants of the Montenegrin karst along the way, but the real surprise came only on the way back. We sat in the shade of old linden trees, and the rock in front of us, almost bare, had only a small patch of green plant," Dr. Dragićević previously said.
Five years later, after numerous analyses, it was confirmed that the small tuft of green plant was, for Montenegro, a “botanical sensation.” A similar discovery had occurred two centuries earlier.
The discovered plant, as announced at the presentation in March, belongs to the Lamiaceae family, which includes plants such as sage and heather. The closest related species, Petrolamium crnojevicii, lives in the most strictly isolated conditions, in the Himalayas, at altitudes above 5.000 meters.
"This points to the conclusion that the newly discovered species is something quite special and probably carries a unique evolutionary story," said Boštjan Surina from the Natural History Museum in Rijeka, one of the authors of the scientific paper describing this discovery.
Steps towards protection
The fact that this is a discovery that has not happened in botany in Montenegro in the last two centuries obliges the plant and the area where it grows to be placed under protection. In this regard, according to the interlocutors of "Vijesti", certain steps have already been initiated. A meeting was held between the Mayor of the Royal Capital of Cetinje, Nikola Đurašković, and Dr. Dragićević and Dr. Snežana Vuksanović, and at the proposal of the scientists, and in accordance with the Law on Nature Protection, it was agreed to initiate the procedure for the preventive protection of the genus and species Petrolamium crnojevicii.
"In order to initiate the preventive protection procedure, it is necessary to submit certain data on the genus and species Petrolamium crnojevicii so that the Environmental Protection Agency can issue protection measures and conditions. Dr. Snežana Dragićević is working on compiling the data that will be submitted to the Secretariat for Spatial Planning and Environmental Protection, after which the Secretariat will submit a request to the Agency for obtaining conditions and measures for preventive protection," the Royal Capital explained.
After the plant is placed under preventive protection, the interlocutors explain, the conditions are met to initiate the development of a Protection Study that will determine the boundaries, degree, category and protection regime of the protected species' area.
Dr. Dragićević said that the newly discovered species is already on the new List of Protected Species, which is in the proposal phase. The old List is from 2006 and its changes, she added, were necessary.
The creation of the new one was initiated by the Nature Protection Agency, and its verification, says Dr. Dragićević, is expected soon.
Soko grad can also come to life
A reporter from “Vijesti”, with the crew of “Wow Montenegro” Television, recently visited the location where the new plant was discovered. Petrolamium crnojevicii grows in a very limited area, in the territory of the villages of Štitari and Kosijeri, not far from the remains of Soko Grad.
"Soko Grad is associated with the cult of Ivan-beg Crnojević and the Crnojević dynasty itself, after which numerous toponyms were named, such as Ivan's table, Ivan's chair and the three Sokol trees, to which numerous legends are associated," the PSK "Soko" reminds.
There is also a marked trail leading to Soko Grad. Once you learn to recognize the plant, you wonder how no one has registered it before, because several of the rocks where it grows have markings drawn right next to the plant.
According to the PSK "Soko", the trail was marked by residents of the Kosijeri Local Community, and it is not registered and is not part of the network of local hiking trails.
The mountaineering club and the Royal Capital have expressed their willingness to revive the area. The Royal Capital said they would "support all initiatives related to the renovation of the trail, its better marking, educational content and possible inclusion in a wider tourist and scientific offer."
"Soko Grad, as a historically fortified site, already possesses significant cultural potential, and in combination with a unique botanical find, it is possible to form thematic educational and tourist routes that would unite natural and cultural heritage. This creates an authentic offer that can be interesting to both domestic and foreign visitors, especially those involved in mountaineering, ecology, history and science," they said.
PSK "Soko" believes that, since, as they said, this is an isolated location that is far from existing settlements, they should think about better educating the younger generation about the importance of environmental protection.
"So that future generations will know how to appreciate and protect their environment, especially the sites where endemic species are found. The valorization of the Soko Grad site itself will represent a special challenge in the sphere of protecting rare plant species, but we sincerely believe that people have become aware of the importance and richness of such a discovery. In this regard, we expect the species to be placed under legal protection in accordance with the Environmental Protection Act and an adequate response from all competent institutions."
The plant is a common treasure
Revealing sensitive areas to the general public often raises the question of whether this contributes to conservation or potentially causes harm.
"During the press conference where we presented the work, there was talk about factors that threaten the plant and its habitats (logging, fires, infrastructure projects, climate change...). At one point, I thought that we were doing that right then - that its discovery was one of those factors. And I was very scared. However, that is not actually the case. The reactions of all the people who heard about the plant and who were interested were enthusiastic and only positive reactions that the plant and the area must be preserved and protected, because now that we all know where it is, let's go see this miracle, because this plant is our common treasure and great happiness that, if we are wise, can be valorized in many ways and bring good to everyone," says Dr. Dragićević.
Visits only with licensed guides
When the conditions are created, the plan is to set up information boards near the plant and Soko Grad, to mark the trails, but when it comes to tourist visits, it will be exclusively with licensed guides.
"We recently had a conversation with the Cetinje Regional Administration, which showed interest and willingness to work together to create an offer for this region," says Dr. Dragićević.
Besides visiting the site itself, she believes, there are many other ways to popularize this story, along with numerous other significant cultural and historical landmarks, and revitalize the area.
"But, you just have to be careful about the size, because this space must be preserved as it is today. The plant is already very popular: it was used for branding a large, international conference organized by the Parliament of Montenegro, jewelry is being produced, bags, scarves, badges, magnets are being printed...".
CANU organizes presentation and exhibition on June 20th
After promotion in the media, the discovery of a new genus and new species of plant for science will be promoted at the Montenegrin Academy of Sciences and Arts on June 20th.
CANU is organizing the event in cooperation with the Ministry of Ecology, Spatial Planning and Development of the North, together with the Eco Fund and the Natural History Museum of Montenegro.
As part of the event, an exhibition about Petrolamium crnojevicii and the region in which the plant grows will be opened, while one of the authors of the genus and species, Prof. Dr. Boštjan Surina, will give a lecture on the topic.
A scientific paper describing the discovery of Petrilamium crnojevicii was published on the website of the journal "Taxon".
Locals are so far pleased with the discovery
The discovery of the new plant, after its protection and the protection of the area, will also affect the lives of the locals. The Royal Capital said that the coordination team of Kosijeri, Đinovići and Bokovo organized a presentation of the discovery, and that a large number of local residents attended the event.
"Who on that occasion expressed their satisfaction with the discovery of the new genus and species Perolaniium Crnojevicii and their positive attitude regarding its potential protection."
Dr. Dragićević's experience is similar - she said that those she communicated with were "unequivocally in favor of protecting the plant and the space":
"Some of them are the owners of the plots where the plant grows, and some of the plots in the immediate or distant vicinity, which must also be protected. What level of protection will be proposed (as well as zoning) will depend on the research that should be conducted in the next three years, how long the preventive protection of the area can last," said Dr. Dragićević.
The locations where the plant grows, he adds, must be the first zone of protection.
"But, there are other significant plant and animal species present in this area, both endemic and endemic, so their presence and range will be taken into account when zoning this area. We will certainly talk to everyone whose plots are located in the area we are proposing for protection and inform them of the importance of this area and the importance of conservation."
Once significant, now overgrown with grass
Soko Grad Štitari (or Ivanov Grad) is located on the border of the Rijeka and Lješan districts, that is, between the villages of Kosijeri, Đinovići and Štitari, according to, among other things, the text by Vlado Duletić, which was published by the Montenegrina.net portal back in 2013.
Citing statements from the publication "Cities and Fortifications in Montenegro" (1975), by Pavle Mijović and Mirko Kovačević, Duletić states that the city, according to Kovačević's sketch, had defensive walls, an entrance gate, a citadel, towers, residential buildings, a church, a water cistern...
He also describes that Soko Grad "played a significant role in the dramatic 15th century Montenegrin history", and that at the time of his visit, more than a decade ago, "the former town, which is particularly linked to the history of the Crnojević family (to Stefanica and his son Ivan)... was left to the ravages of time - overgrown with grass, groves (marten, ash, hornbeam, dogwood...) and oblivion".
This was the situation encountered by the team with which the "Vijesti" reporter visited the location in early June.
Bonus video:
