The works carried out on Bukumirsko and Rikavacko Lakes, within the part of the "Komovi" Nature Park on the territory of the Capital City of Podgorica, are foreseen by the Management Plan and Program and are not within the jurisdiction of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
If other activities are carried out in that area, it is necessary for an environmental inspection to visit the site.
This, among other things, was stated to "Vijesti" by the Environmental Protection Agency, in response to a query about works on the shores of two lakes, which are part of a protected area.
The implementation of activities on the website was announced by the manager, the Agency for the Management of Protected Areas of Podgorica (AUZP), where the acting executive director is Stojan SjekloćSjekloća was elected acting president on July 1, when he replaced Jasna Gajevic.
The public was informed about the works on Bukumirsko and Rikavacko Lakes through three press releases.
In the first, dated August 12, the AUZP announced that a "traditional guvno - a place that was the center of village life and communal work" had been built on the shores of Lake Bukumir.
"Once upon a time, grain was harvested and prepared here, and today we are restoring it to preserve cultural heritage and provide visitors with a unique insight into the lives and customs of our ancestors."
They did not answer "Vijesti" whether the dump existed there before, or whether there are any written records about it.
These days, around the second, Rikavac Lake, as they announced, benches, trash cans and a control house (for rangers) have been installed. Locals say that a canal has also been dug to the lake, and judging by the photographs, the excavated soil exceeds the height of an adult man.
Yesterday, the AUZP told the "Analitika" portal, speaking about alleged attacks on rangers at another location, that they were receiving threats due to work in the "Komovi" Park and said that they had used an excavator to clear the canal to the lake.
They did not respond to questions sent to "Vijesti" on September 2nd.
Previously, in a statement published on the website, they stated that the facilities around Rikavacko are intended for visitors, thus improving the conditions for a safer and more pleasant stay. They also stated that by installing a control box near Rikavacko Lake, more efficient monitoring and registration of visitors will be ensured.
They did not answer "Vijesti" why that location was chosen for the control box and whether there was an option to place it more discreetly, if control and records of visits were necessary, so as not to disrupt the landscape.
The locals contacted the Environmental Protection Agency and the ecological inspection regarding all activities.
The EPA, like "Vijesti", responded that they had no jurisdiction in this case.
"EPA was aware of the activities to install a control box for the needs of the protected area managers. The agency granted permission for the box even though they were not required to seek approval, as they have activities planned in the one-year Program and the five-year Management Plan. As for the landscaping of the area around Bukumirsko and Rikavacko lakes, the installation of benches and trash cans, these activities are also planned in the Plan and Program," EPA said in "News".
For other interventions within the Komovi Nature Park, as they stated, if the activity is not in the Management Plan, the AUZP is obliged to contact them:
"With documentation to get an opinion on the possible impacts on the natural values of the protected area, and of course, consent. It is necessary for the environmental inspection to go to the field, establish the facts, make a report and notify the EPA."
The ecological inspection of the Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Northern Development has not responded to the locals as of yesterday. The editorial office has not received a response from the ecological inspection either.
The installation and equipping of two control houses on the territory of the Park is envisaged by the Management Program of the Nature Park "Komovi" for 2025. However, the program does not specify the precise location where the houses are planned to be installed.
According to photos published on the official website of the AUZP, the foundations for the house have been laid not far from the shore of Lake Rikavac. The Management Program for this year does not specify the amount of funds needed to implement this activity.
The same part of the Program also states that a stone cistern will be installed, but, as with the control posts, it also does not specify at what location...
They are silent about garbage collection, a camp and barbecue are planned on Rikavacko
According to the 2025 program, AUZP planned to install one bench with a canopy (with a table and two benches) and a solar panel on Bukumirsko, as well as one information board regarding the project, and three benches and three trash cans on Rikavacko.
Benches and bins have already been placed around the lake. The AUZP did not respond to the editorial team about how waste removal from that location will be organized.
For Rikavac Lake, as stated in the one-year program, the plan is to determine a location for setting up a campsite, an open fire pit, and a barbecue.
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