The Kolašin Secretariat for Environmental Protection announces that new protected areas will be declared in the territory of that municipality this year, including the Mrtvica River Canyon with Maganik, Kapetanovo and Brnjičko Lakes, Dulovine Forest Park, along with activities to revise the study for the Dulovine Botanical Garden and the expected protection of Mount Sinjavina from the Government of Montenegro.
"The proposal for the adoption of key decisions related to the declaration of protected areas has already been forwarded to the Kolašin Municipal Assembly service," the secretary told "Vijesti". Milovan Vlahović.
As he explains, these are decisions that are the result of extensive public discussions and prior agreements with all interested parties, especially with locals, or property owners within future protected zones.
"A revision of the Protection Study for the Dulovina Botanical Garden, managed by the National Parks of Montenegro, is underway. After the revision, we will propose the adoption of the Management Plan developed by the manager. The area of Mount Sinjavina, for which a protection study was developed in an earlier period, is expected to be protected by the Government of Montenegro under the new regulations," says Vlahović.
According to him, the initiative to establish a special company that would manage protected areas has existed since before, that is, since the first protected area was declared by the Municipality - the "Komovi" Nature Park.
"The Secretariat is only a temporary manager, as stated in the decision, until the establishment of a company to manage all protected areas in the municipality. In the previous period, the Secretariat commissioned an expert analysis on the modalities of managing protected areas in the territory of our municipality. Comparing several models, the analysis showed that the best management model is the establishment of an agency/company by the Municipality, following the example of some other local governments," explains Vlahović.
One security guard was employed during the past year.
"For the Komovi area, a minimum of two security guards are required according to protection regulations. There are currently no other personnel for planning, implementing management plans and programs," said Vlahović.
However, when it comes to professional training for employees in the Secretariat, it is more intensive.
"Improving the system of protection and management of protected areas in the current year is planned through strengthening cooperation with competent state bodies and the non-governmental sector, improving the implementation of existing regulations, as well as through activities aimed at strengthening the capacities and awareness of the local community. The process of adopting the new Law on Nature Protection is underway, which will facilitate procedures for competent bodies, as well as for managers. The adoption of the Law entails the adoption of certain by-laws in this area," says the Secretary. .
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