The ecological movement "Ozon" today called on the competent institutions to install video surveillance in the vicinity of the protected natural monument Gornjepoljski vir, the largest estuary in the Balkans, in order to prevent further endangerment of the ecosystem and provide conditions for sanctioning irresponsible individuals who illegally dispose of various types of waste and destroy furniture such as information boards and benches for visitors.
"Since the lack of a management body for protected areas in the municipality of Nikšić is an obvious problem, which would include a guard service, regular monitoring, and in preparation for the development of a protection study for the upper reaches of the Zeta River, the installation of video surveillance would have multiple significance, both in the context of protection from illegal activities and monitoring the state of this natural phenomenon that has the potential for valorization through scientific tourism, which was the case in the previous period and without the obtained level of protection," the statement from "Ozon", signed by Aleksandar Perović, executive director, states.
The statement adds that the latest case of a dead animal being dumped in the immediate vicinity of the estavela is, unfortunately, just one in a series of examples of ecosystem endangerment, so if decades of systemic neglect of Gornjepljski vir are to be stopped, installing video surveillance would be the first concrete move aimed at ensuring sustainable management of this protected facility.
"Gornjepoljski Vir needs to be regulated, secured from irresponsible persons, made visible to ecotourists, adapted to a responsible environment for those who visit this natural monument, provided with tourist guides, appropriate communal infrastructure and educational content, because the neglect and stepmotherly attitude of institutions towards this site can no longer be tolerated," the statement reads.
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