The inclusion of the Zeta River, with parts of the Matica, Gostilje and Prekornica, in the proposal for the Montenegrin Natura 2000 network is a development opportunity for Danilovgrad, but it also brings obligations - decisions about the area will have to be based on expert assessments, and the issue of pollutants resolved before Montenegro joins the European Union, says the biologist. Vuk Iković.
He told "Vijesti" that nature protection is not an obstacle to development and that Natura 2000 is not only an ecological, but also a development program.
"This is one of the greatest achievements of the European Union. European countries have agreed to preserve what is left of the most valuable nature, but in a way that allows people to live and work normally. This is not a policy of prohibitions, but a policy of smart spatial management," said Iković.
Natura 2000 is the largest European network of protected areas, which includes sites important for the conservation of endangered species and natural habitats. After Montenegro's accession to the European Union, these areas will be part of the European network and will enjoy protection in accordance with EU regulations. Protection is possible even earlier, if there is a will of the Government to protect them through national acts...
Development opportunity for the local community
The Municipality of Danilovgrad told "Vijesti" that they see the inclusion of these areas in the Natura 2000 network proposal as a significant development opportunity...
"We believe it is crucial that local residents are informed about the reasons why these areas have been recognized as worthy of protection, as well as the rights, obligations and rules that will apply. In cooperation with the relevant institutions and the professional public, we will work to ensure that all relevant information is transparently presented to citizens."
During the week, Iković informed the public via Facebook that the Zeta River, with part of the Matica, Gostilje and Prekornica, have been recognized as areas for the Natura 2000 network. He stated that this decision "was not made in Podgorica or Brussels overnight", but that it is the result of years of field and expert analysis that have shown that Danilovgrad has natural values of European importance.
In a statement to "Vijesti", Iković points out that this is a value that many developed countries no longer have.
"Many European municipalities today base their development precisely on Natura 2000 areas through tourism, local products and European funds. When four areas of one municipality - the Zeta River, Gostilje, Prekornica and the Matica River - become part of the Natura 2000 network, it means that Europe has recognized that there is a natural wealth here that has value far beyond the borders of Montenegro. This is not exclusively a political decision, nor an administrative formality. Behind this are years of field research and strict European scientific criteria. But, what follows after that recognition is even more important to me," said Iković.
It's not a ban system.
He explains that Natura 2000 is not intended as a system of prohibitions, but as a framework that protects nature and at the same time opens up space for the sustainable development of local communities.
"It preserves nature, but at the same time enables local communities to live off that nature. In many European municipalities, Natura 2000 areas have become the basis for the development of tourism, agritourism, local products and European investments," said Iković.
According to him, life in these areas will not stop, nor will people lose the right to cultivate the land.
"On the contrary, European rules assume that nature is best preserved where people live and work responsibly. Farmers will still be able to plow, winegrowers to produce wine. Of course, construction is also allowed, but in a way that does not permanently lose meadows, rivers and forests," said Iković.
Larger interventions will need to be assessed.
The new rules, he adds, primarily apply to larger interventions that may permanently endanger the natural values that have led to an area being recognized as part of the Natura 2000 network.
"This means that the construction of larger structures, new roads, hydropower projects, the exploitation of mineral resources or activities that can significantly change a river, forest or habitat will have to undergo an expert assessment of the impact on the Natura 2000 area before they receive a permit. If it turns out that the project would seriously endanger protected species or habitats, it will have to be modified or it will not be possible to implement it in that form," Iković said.
From Mura to Zeta
As an example, he cites the Austrian Mura River, which he says is, like the Zeta, a river valley with great natural values.
"After becoming part of the Natura 2000 network, the local community did not receive any bans, but instead received 14,6 million euros in European funds to start with. This money was used to restore floodplain forests, improve riverbeds and tributaries, reduce flood risk, improve area management, and create conditions for the development of tourism and other sustainable activities. This is proof that Natura 2000 is not just about nature protection, but that it can be a serious development tool," said Iković.
He says that Danilovgrad should think the same way, because the EU invests in areas that preserve their natural values, but only if local communities have projects ready and know how to seize the opportunity.
Iković says that in many cases Natura 2000 encourages the preservation of traditional management methods through special support programs and European funds.
Decisions cannot be made according to political will.
Of course, there will be certain obligations, warns Iković.
"It will no longer be possible to make decisions based solely on political will or investor interest if there is a risk of permanently destroying a natural value of European importance. This is precisely the essence of Natura 2000: development remains possible, but it must be responsible and based on expert assessments, not improvisation," he said.
He also emphasized that the issue of pollution of the Zeta River will have to be resolved before Montenegro joins the EU.
"Natura 2000 means that if we do not solve the problem of polluters of the Zeta River before joining the EU, they will certainly not operate in this way again when we become a member. If the Municipality of Danilovgrad does not make an effort to solve the polluters, it could easily lose the possibility of total EU funding, which also entails a fine," said Iković.
Ćulafić: About 44 percent of Montenegro's territory will be covered
Minister of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Northern Development Damjan Ćulafić said that the adoption of the Information on the Proposal for the Natura 2000 Ecological Network Area represents a major step forward.
He reminded that Montenegro is celebrating 35 years since it was declared an ecological state.
"It seems to me that in those 35 years, no government has made a decision that contributes to the status of an ecological state to such a great extent as this one has," said Ćulafić.
He recalled that the proposal covers about 44 percent of the territory of Montenegro.
"I think we can be proud, and I guess it's not immodest to say that we, as a government, have taken a really concrete step in protecting nature."
Ćulafić announced that the decision comes in parallel with the determination of the proposal for a new Law on Nature Protection, which received a positive assessment from the European Commission.
"I think that with big steps we are reaching a situation where we are counting down the minutes until the closure of Chapter 27, which is of course our strategic goal, taking into account that this is one of the most complex, but also the most expensive chapters in the entire European integration process."
Municipality of Danilovgrad: Significant development opportunity
The Danilovgrad Municipality told "Vijesti" that their goal is to "preserve what they have."
"And at the same time, to enable the development of activities that are aligned with nature protection, such as sustainable tourism, agriculture and other forms of spatial valorization. For the Municipality of Danilovgrad, this represents a significant development opportunity. In this direction, we will continue to strengthen the capacities of the municipal service for the preparation and implementation of projects, so that we are ready to use available sources of financing."
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