The part of the Zeta River that flows through Danilovgrad is not protected as a UNESCO biosphere reserve, although its course through Nikšić and Podgorica is.
The Danilovgrad authorities have not signed the consent for the inclusion of part of the stream within the borders of that municipality into an internationally protected site because "legal, property and management issues related to the 'Rijeka Zeta' Nature Park must first be resolved."
However, a member of the Danilovgrad Municipal Assembly Vuk Iković He says that the non-functioning of the park cannot be an obstacle to the nomination, but rather that it is a domestic political problem that is causing Danilovgrad to miss the opportunity for international support, sustainable development, and better protection of the Zeta River.
Iković announced on Facebook at the beginning of the week that the mayor of Danilovgrad Municipality Aleksandar Grgurović did not sign the consent for the inclusion of Zeta in the UNESCO biosphere reserve along with Skadar Lake, Morača and Cijevna. According to his claims, such consent was previously given by the municipalities of Nikšić, Kolašin, Podgorica, Bar, Ulcinj, Zeta and Tuzi.
The Municipality of Danilovgrad, however, says that "first of all, it is necessary to conduct a review of the zones and studies of this protected area."
"During the previous period, namely the preparation of the nomination dossier, we held several consultative meetings and the common position is that at this moment we should not enter into the nomination process until the open issues at the local level are resolved," the Municipality said.
Iković: The crisis is being used as an excuse
UNESCO Biosphere Reserves are areas recognized for their significant natural values, biological diversity, and the ability to harmonize nature protection with the sustainable development of local communities.
In his responses to "Vijesti", Iković said that areas such as the Zeta River Valley need additional legal and financial support, and that UNESCO status does not mean a ban on development or "putting the area under a glass bell".
"If the leadership knew its job, it would have included us in UNESCO so that we could get out of the crisis as soon as possible. Unfortunately, instead of using the crisis as an incentive to improve management and attract international support, the current leadership is using it as an argument against inclusion in the UNESCO biosphere reserve," said Iković.
He believes that the announced change in the borders of the "Rijeka Zeta" Nature Park is just an excuse, because the municipal leadership, as he claims, was informed of the UNESCO biosphere reserve project three years ago.
"In three years, new jobs could have been created, sustainable tourism projects could have been launched, and funds from international funds could have been secured. Instead, we didn't even get a protection service or changes to the boundaries of the Nature Park," said Iković.
He added that "a river is not only made up of water, but also its banks where people live," and that this should be seen as an added value for Danilovgrad.
"If someone has a vision, they will boast that a large part of the Bjelopavlić Plain will be branded, that is, that it can become part of UNESCO's heritage, and not that it serves as an excuse for why they refused to include our city in UNESCO. While Nikšić, Kolašin, Podgorica, Bar, Ulcinj, Tuzi and Zeta recognized the opportunity and supported the inclusion of their areas in the UNESCO biosphere reserve, Danilovgrad said no," said Iković.
He assessed that this decision will be remembered as "an example of how not to act."
"This will be an example of how the political, urban and ecological illiteracy of one official negatively affects all citizens of a municipality and state. By refusing to make the most valuable part of the municipality's territory a UNESCO biosphere reserve, not only is the opportunity to improve nature protection missed, but also a chance for a new development model based on sustainable tourism, international recognition and a better quality of life for the local community. This is not an ideological issue of nature protection, this is an issue of development, economy and vision of Danilovgrad," said Iković.
Municipality: Protection must have the support of locals
The Municipality of Danilovgrad said that the initiative to establish a biosphere reserve does not only apply to the Zeta River valley, but also to the wider area of the Bjelopavlić Plain and the territory of that municipality.
They explained that the proposed zoning of the reserve would be based on the existing zoning of the “Rijeka Zeta” Nature Park, so the core, protective and part of the transit zone would be aligned with zones I, II and III of the Nature Park. The remaining part of the municipal territory, outside the boundaries of the Nature Park, would be included in the transit zone.
"We also note that the Decision on the Proclamation of the 'Rijeka Zeta' Nature Park is currently in the process of assessing its constitutionality before the competent court. The rapid adoption of the Decision on the Proclamation of the 'Rijeka Zeta' Nature Park, lack of transparency, violation of constitutionally guaranteed rights, where in a way the right of citizens to dispose of their property was limited in 2019, has led to significant distrust and long-term dissatisfaction among citizens," the Municipality said.
They added that these circumstances still influence the public's attitude towards new initiatives in the field of nature protection and spatial management.
The Municipality claims that their position does not mean opposition to the concept of a biosphere reserve, but that for a successful nomination it is necessary to ensure full information and support from the local community.
"As for the hydrological basin, there is no doubt that the Zeta River and the area of the Danilovgrad Municipality represent an important part of this area and that, due to their natural values, they deserve to be included in the biosphere reserve. However, this is an ongoing process and requires the fulfillment of certain conditions. We expect that in the meantime, open issues will be resolved at the local level, especially the revision of the existing Decision, and that the 'Zeta River' Nature Park will fully come to life and function as planned," the Municipality said.
They also said that making quick decisions, without active dialogue and community involvement, especially when a protected area is planned largely on private property, can result in decisions that are not applicable.
"The Municipality of Danilovgrad is not the only local government that has not joined the nomination process, and this is very important to point out. Cetinje, whose territory includes the 'Skadar Lake' National Park, is not part of the biosphere reserve," the Municipality announced.
They stated that the agreement on the need to implement the zoning is also confirmed by the fact that, at the initiative of the non-governmental sector, a meeting will soon be held regarding the project related to zoning, which was supported by the Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Northern Development.
Only after the completion of this process, as they said, can inclusion in procedures for acquiring additional international protection statuses be considered.
"The Municipality of Danilovgrad is committed to improving nature protection and supports all initiatives that contribute to preserving the space for future generations. Our goal is not to give up on protection, but to create conditions for it to be high-quality, sustainable and accepted by the local community," concluded the Municipality of Danilovgrad.
Iković: The municipality's largest natural capital
Iković also emphasized to "Vijesti" that the UNESCO biosphere reserve is not an expense for the municipality of Danilovgrad:
"It is a magnet for international money, development projects, sustainable tourism, organic agriculture, recreation and new jobs."
In many countries, claims the Danilovgrad assembly member, it is precisely these types of statuses that have helped people stay in the countryside, improve their households, start small businesses...
"As well as generating additional income through tourism and sustainable use of natural resources. Instead of bragging about how Zeta has become part of an internationally recognized UNESCO site, we have stood aside while others have seized the opportunity."
"The Zeta River is Danilovgrad's greatest natural capital. Factories may close. Authorities may change. But if we preserve the Zeta, it will always remain a development opportunity for future generations," said Iković.
See more:
Download the app and follow the news
FOLLOW US ON
