The problems of the residents of Kolašin, Mojkovac and Berane, whose private properties are included in the protection zones within the Biogradska gora National Park, are reasonable and justified, and the Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Northern Development (MERS) will analyze the requests and proposals in the coming days.
This was stated by the relevant Minister Damjan Ćulafić, after a meeting with representatives of locals from those municipalities, which was also attended by the Director of the Environmental Protection Agency Milan Gazdić and the Director of the National Parks (NPCG) Marinela Đuretić.
In a statement to the media, Ćulafić emphasized that the numerous problems raised by the locals are reasonable and justified and that the Ministry will analyze all requests and proposals in more detail in the coming days.
MERS announced that the key topics of the meeting were the use of private properties within protected areas, the legalization of existing temporary facilities, and the revision of the National Park boundaries.
"I believe that communication with locals must be much more intensive, almost daily, until we reach mutually acceptable solutions, with strict respect for the legal framework," said Ćulafić.
He said that the joint conclusion of the meeting was that it was agreed to request local governments to delegate their representatives to the Working Group for the Draft Law on National Parks.
"The second topic is precisely the study of the revision of the borders and zones of National Parks. The conclusion is that the owners of private plots that are included in the borders of National Parks should be more inclusively involved in direct discussions with representatives of the Environmental Protection Agency," said Ćulafić.
He stated that, as a third conclusion, they agreed to work more intensively, and he, as the relevant minister, in communication with the Minister of Spatial Planning, Urbanism and State Property, Slaven Radunović, to try to agree on an optimal solution, within the limits of the law, for the legalization of some temporary facilities in the next few days.
Speaking about the request to include certain private plots in protection zone 3, in order to enable the construction of temporary facilities for the needs of agriculture and tourism, Ćulafić said that this was not an ultimatum, but a proposal from citizens.
"The ministry is accepting anything that is in accordance with the law and expert opinion. Compromises are possible, but only within the framework of what the law and science allow," said Ćulafić.
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