By declaring the upper course of the Ćehotine and Mrtvice rivers protected areas, the potential for long-term socio-economic benefits for local communities will be created, such as the development of sustainable tourism, which will lead to the creation of new jobs and additional income for the local population, the non-governmental organization announced. (NGO) Eco-team.
The upper reaches of the Ćehotina and Mrtvica rivers, as the NGO says, are vital water resources characterized by exceptional ecological, natural and socio-economic importance.
Emphasizing the importance of preserving and improving the natural wealth in its territories, the Municipality of Pljevlja is implementing the procedure of declaring the upper course of the Ćehotina River a protected area, while the Municipality of Kolašin is implementing the same procedure for the Mrtvica River, Ecoteam reminds.
"The protection of those two rivers is extremely important from both an ecological and socio-economic point of view, and it is of particular importance that the municipalities of Pljevlja and Kolašin intensify activities that will lead to the declaration of those two rivers as protected areas. By declaring those two rivers as protected areas, the potential for long-term socio-economic benefits for local communities will be created, such as the development of sustainable tourism, which will lead to the creation of new jobs and additional income for the local population.Through the sustainable management of these rivers, there will also be improvements in utility and road infrastructure , and reducing the negative economic and demographic trends that characterize these areas," claims Milija Čabarkapa, executive director of the NGO Eco-team.
He says it's important to understand that protected areas are not literally "freezing" or "frozen" in terms of development or progress.
The perception that suggests protected areas are an obstacle to development, Čabarkapa says, is often the result of a lack of information or wrong assumptions.
According to him, protected areas are intended to preserve nature, but they also aim to support the way of life of local communities and take care of their well-being and well-being.
"It is important to understand the importance of expanding the network of protected areas in Montenegro, bearing in mind its role as an ecological state. Nature protection and biodiversity preservation are key elements of sustainable development that contribute to the health and well-being of people. As an ecological state, Montenegro has the opportunity to become a leader in nature protection and sustainable development, and the Municipality of Pljevlja and the Municipality of Kolašin to become examples of good practice in protecting rivers and preserving the natural environment. This is an opportunity to preserve the natural resources of Montenegro and create a better future for all of us," explains Čabarkapa.
Those two municipalities are carrying out the procedure for the protection of Ćehotina and Mrtvica on the initiative of the Eco-team, 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.
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