27 June 2026
In recent days, disinformation has been circulated in the public domain through local media in Prizren and social media regarding the works being carried out for the installation of barriers at the entrances to the territory of Sharri National Park. All of this disinformation is based on assumptions and false and unverified information, claiming that the installation of barriers is intended to introduce entrance fees to the Park and restrict the movement of residents and property owners on their private properties.
The MESPPI, with the aim of providing accurate and fact-based information, calls on the general public, and especially residents living within the territory of “Sharri” National Park, not to fall victim to this malicious disinformation, which does not reflect reality.
The installation of barriers at the entrances to Sharri National Park is based on plans, legislation, and practices applied in national parks in developed countries, and is related to strengthening the control and monitoring of the area, as well as ensuring public order and law enforcement. The purpose of installing the barriers is not related to introducing fees or restricting movement on private properties, as presented in the disinformation, but rather to prevent illegal construction and other unlawful activities such as illegal logging, hunting, prohibited transportation, and illegal trade.
The installation of the barriers is a process that began in 2020 with technical preparations and continued in 2024 with the development of a detailed project, within the framework of implementing the strategic and legal documents governing the management of the park. These include the Spatial Plan for “Sharri” National Park, the Management Plan for “Sharri” National Park, the Regulation on the Internal Order of National Parks, the Law on Nature Protection, and other legal and sub-legal acts.
The installation of the barriers will not present any obstacle to the local community and will not restrict the movement of property owners on their private properties. On the contrary, it will provide them with advantages and opportunities for local development arising from the park’s status, as well as numerous benefits such as the use of forests, pastures, forest fruits, water sources, etc., without any restrictions and without payment.
Therefore, the Sharri National Park Directorate calls on representatives of the local community to consider the information provided by the Directorate regarding the purpose of the barriers as official information, to inform residents accordingly, and to call on them not to fall victim to disinformation. The disinformation and the announced protest against the installation of the barriers are not protests aimed at protecting private property rights, as claimed, because this right is legally guaranteed to every citizen of the Republic of Kosovo. Rather, their actual purpose is to support unlawful and illegal activities and practices and to obstruct the establishment of order and law enforcement in the National Park, which is in the general public and institutional interest.
The local community is advised not to fall victim to disinformation and malicious propaganda serving the personal interests of certain individuals, but to obtain information from the relevant state institutions that are at their service and provide support. The senior management of the MESPPI is also available to meet with representatives of the local community to provide additional information regarding the barrier installation project.