They plan to protect nature, but they don't know when

The draft Local Environmental Protection Plan, which will be valid for the next four years, does not specify when the process of protecting natural areas in the Kolašin municipality could be completed.

The drafters stated that this work should be completed “during the implementation of the Plan”, i.e. by 2030, until which time the document will be valid. No possible challenges that have slowed down the processes were mentioned. According to the content of previously held public hearings, very strong resistance from locals was expressed against the protection of certain areas.

The document reiterates the need to ensure an appropriate level of protection for individual areas.

The Municipality of Kolašin, in cooperation with the Environmental Protection Agency and the non-governmental sector, is working on preparing the necessary documentation and completing the procedure for declaring protected areas. These include the Nature Park "Mrtvice Canyon with Surroundings" (8.900 hectares), the Natural Monument "Kapetanovo and Brnjičko Lakes" (587,07 hectares), the Nature Park "Sinjavina" (about 600 square kilometers) and the Forest Park "Dulovine" (6,56 hectares).

The Strategic Development Plan of the Municipality of Kolašin 2026–2030 stipulates that the Mrtvica Canyon, due to its specific geomorphological and hydrological characteristics and high biodiversity (IPA and EMERALD area), deserves the status of a natural monument.

The Mrtvica River Canyon has been recognized as a potential protected area through several national strategies. In the National Biodiversity Strategy 2010–2015, it was proposed for protection as a natural monument, while the strategy for the period 2016–2020 emphasizes its importance as a habitat for rare amphibians and reptiles, as well as a center of biodiversity in Montenegro. The Spatial Plan of Montenegro until 2040 confirms its importance through its inclusion in the EMERALD network of the Council of Europe, among 32 areas of special interest for conservation.

As explained in the draft plan, Kapetanovo and Brnjičko (Manito) lakes, located on Lukavica as remnants of former glaciation, represent an area of ​​great natural value due to its rich biodiversity, natural specificities and exceptional beauty. Their basin has been recognized as a potentially protected area of ​​special importance through several national and international initiatives for nature protection (PPCG, EMERALD network, IPA, IBA, Natura 2000). These lakes belong to the Mrtvica and Morača river basin, a significant part of the Dinaric Karst and Lukavica mountain.

Sinjavina is another significant natural area awaiting official protection. It is characterized by vast limestone plateaus, rich biodiversity and important habitats, while parts of it are recognized as IPA and EMERALD areas. It is part of a national biocorridor that connects existing and planned protected nature areas.

"It is estimated that around 1.300 plant species and subspecies grow in Sinjavina, including numerous endemic and internationally protected species. Nine significant habitat types have also been recorded under the EU Habitats Directive. The natural values ​​of Sinjavina have been recognized through the Bern Convention and the EMERALD network, and regimes of active protection and sustainable use have been proposed for the future Nature Park," the draft plan states.

The Dulovine site is home to the future protected area "Dulovine Forest Park", located near the city center of Kolašin, below the train station.

The Dulovine Park-Forest was planted in the late 1950s.

In the territory of the municipality of Kolašin, as stated in the document, the implementation of the nature protection project "M&B - Tara River Basin" began last year, and the coordination body for the management of this internationally protected area was reactivated.

The project “Skadar Lake Basin – Transboundary Biosphere Reserve” is led by the Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Northern Development and the NGO “Env-Pro”, together with other partners. The project includes the territory of the Morača River Basin with its tributaries in the territory of Kolašin.