The national environmental protection campaign "Protect so that it protects you" continued today in Kotor, with a major clean-up of the Grabovac fortress in Grbaljsko Polje, in which representatives of institutions, local communities and the civil sector participated.
As announced by the European House, the action was attended by the European Union (EU) Ambassador to Montenegro Johan Sattler, the President of the Municipality of Kotor Vladimir Jokić, civil society organizations Ljuta kamílica, Čista Gora, Expeditio, Let's Green Montenegro and other partner organizations, local associations, children and environmental activists.
It is stated that the activity was implemented with the assistance of the Public Utility Company Kotor in order to prepare the area for the installation of a video surveillance system, information boards and shaded viewpoints with resting areas, thus contributing to the long-term preservation of this valuable site.
"This action, together with a visit to several rehabilitated and priority locations in the presence of Ambassador Satler and representatives of the Police Directorate, as well as the infrastructure measures implemented by the Municipality of Kotor, represents its contribution to the national campaign "Take care, and let it take care of you"," the statement says.
It is added that the focus of the activities is on improving environmental conditions and addressing the long-term challenge of inadequate waste management, which, in addition to affecting nature, land and the health of the population, also shapes the cultural landscape of Kotor, an area with important elements of European historical heritage.
The European House stated that today's field activities provided a more comprehensive insight into the condition and dynamics of the rehabilitation of degraded sites.
Such an assessment, they said, represents an important prerequisite for effective planning and implementation of next steps within the jurisdiction of local and state institutions.
"In this context, it was emphasized that successfully preventing illegal waste disposal requires the continuous implementation of existing regulations, as well as the coordinated engagement of all relevant stakeholders - institutions, local governments and citizens," the statement said.
It is stated that this ensures the sustainable effect of already implemented activities and reduces the risk of re-disturbance of rehabilitated areas.
The European House said the visit represents the sixth major clean-up operation as part of the campaign in the past six months.
"The results of the campaign are becoming increasingly visible, from the remediation of numerous ecological black spots and the installation of infrastructure that prevents their re-emergence, to raising awareness about responsible spatial management," the statement added.
It is stated that the campaign brings together a growing number of institutions, municipalities, civil society organizations, private companies and citizens, linking practical activities, institutional commitment and community engagement.
"In this way, conditions are created for long-term solutions in the field of environmental protection, while simultaneously supporting the fulfillment of Montenegro's obligations in the EU accession process," the statement says.
During his visit to Kotor, Sattler, as stated by the European House, also visited the EU info point as part of the "Communities for the EU" project, which, with the support of the EU, works to strengthen information and inclusion of citizens in European processes.
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