The declaration of the Nature Park "Upper Stream of the Ćehotina River" would contribute to the improvement of the situation and have a positive impact on achieving the necessary balance between protection and use of natural resources. Establishing a protected area would increase the share of the territory that is managed with the aim of protecting biodiversity and sustainable economic and social development. In addition, it would contribute to the preservation of Lake Otilović as an important source of water supply for the citizens of Pljevlja, thereby ensuring respect for the basic human right to safe drinking water.
The non-governmental organization (NGO) Eko-team announced that this is one of the conclusions of the socio-economic analysis for the proposed Nature Park "Upper Stream of the Ćehotina River", which was prepared by that NGO with the support of the world's leading organization for nature protection The Nature Conservancy.
"The protection of Ćehotina is very important not only for the protection of natural values, but also as an incentive for the development of sustainable economic activities and the revitalization of the area, with adequate use of support mechanisms and capacity development. Traditional ways of using resources and land will not be prevented, but through the management of the nature park ensure better application of existing regulations and better performance of economic activities in relation to the environment," said Milija Čabarkapa, executive director of the NGO Eco-team.
The NGO Eko-team added that the socio-economic analysis also showed that the potential of the future Nature Park "Upper Ćehotina River" is very significant to contribute to the development of the now neglected rural area and thus to the sustainability of local development through alternatives to economic activities that are connected with a high degree of pollution and intensive exploitation of natural resources.
"As shown by the examples of benefits brought by protected areas in the country and the region, eco-tourism and nature-based tourism can stimulate local economic growth, enabling the involvement of local communities. Tourist interest in eco-tourism, rural and fishing tourism in Pljevlje and the area of the upper flow of the Ćehotina is evident, along with the growing trend in the number of tourists and overnight stays," said the NGO Eco-team.
Čabarkapa said that according to the views expressed during the preparation of the socio-economic analysis, representatives of institutions, companies and organizations are familiar with or were involved in the process of declaration and support the establishment of the Nature Park in the upper course of ijehotina, emphasizing certain issues of importance for management and protection interests of the local population.
"It is an undivided opinion that the protection of this area and adequate management would bring multiple benefits, open up development opportunities and improve conditions in the environment," said Čabarkapa.
Eco-team said that the establishment of a protected area in the upper reaches of the Ćehotina is in accordance with the vision of sustainable development of Montenegro and an important step towards better preservation of valuable ecosystems in the municipality of Pljevlja in contrast to decades of development that degraded the environment and generated significant negative consequences for the health of the population .
"The work on the protection of the upper course of the Ćehotina River is carried out within the framework of the regional initiative "Together for Rivers" which was launched by The Nature Conservancy in cooperation with organizations from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, North Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia", it is concluded in announcement.
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