The devastation of a plot within the scope of the future protected zone of the Dulovine park-forest in Kolašin has continued, after more than 2023 pine and poplar trees were illegally cut down in the fall of 10. Last week, the terrain was leveled on that plot and minor construction work was carried out, namely the construction of a manhole.
This is a plot of land in the immediate vicinity of the Botanical Garden, which was founded by Daniel Vincek, and is now managed by the Biogradska Gora National Park.
As the Secretary for Environmental Protection told "Vijesti" Milovan Vlahović, "the initial works significantly damaged the appearance and disrupted the natural environment at that location."
"It was determined that the trees were illegally cut down and that the terrain was leveled, as well as initial construction works that significantly damaged the appearance and natural environment of the aforementioned location. We would like to remind you that the Dulovina forest park protection procedure is underway and that the plot on which the works are being carried out is within the scope of this future protected zone. As part of its jurisdiction, this secretariat will inform the competent inspection services in order to determine the factual situation on the ground and stop further devastation of that area," said Vlahović.
According to what can be seen on the ground, a manhole has been built on the plot, stumps have been removed, and trees have been cut down.
"The owners of the plots were allowed to remove the felled trees by the Regional Unit (RU) of the Forestry Administration," the manager told "Vijesti". Radovan Dabetić.
He explains that the owner did this based on a decision issued by the PJ, and the reason was the danger of the bark beetle spreading.
"The removal of trees and branches from that plot is being handled as a sanitary measure and the owner received a PJ permit for this. Namely, given that the pheromone trap that was set indicated the danger of bark beetles in the park forest, it was necessary to remove the cut trees and branches," Dabetić told "Vijesti".
He recalls that in November 2023, the PJ determined that trees were being cut illegally on that plot, and that a process was initiated, which he does not know how it was completed. As reported, two years ago, the gross mass of felled black pine trees was about 11,2 cubic meters, and poplar trees were close to three cubic meters.
"Vijesti" was unable to contact the owners of the plot where construction work was carried out, and recently began.
The protection study for the Dulovine forest park should soon be put up for public discussion, the Secretariat for Environmental Protection said earlier. The protection of the area was proposed three years ago. Permanent protection would allow Dulovine to be saved from future devastation and construction, as the current planning documents do not allow for this.
The protected area would encompass, as previously announced, more than 10 cadastral plots, with a total area of about 50.000 square meters. Dulovine, as explained in the protection initiative, is “practically the only green area that remains in the ownership of the municipality of Kolašin, and is located near the city center.” In the late 20s, a stand of black and white pine was planted in that area.
The protection of this area was initiated, in cooperation with the Municipality, by the NGO "Natura".
"Natural influences - drying of trees, breakages from wind and snow, have left room in this forest for indigenous species such as ash, maple, alder, beech, hornbeam, as well as other species, whose natural habitat is this. Now, the Dulovina park-forest area is practically home to the largest number of species that grow in this area. On the southern side, the land is marshy, so species that are suited to such a habitat also occur here," the initiative states.
The initiators also explained that "due to the expansion of construction in Kolašin, any possible use of that space for construction would cause irreparable damage to Kolašin and Montenegro."
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