26 August 2010
Within the framework of the project "Sustainable Kosovo, strengthening the framework of environmental NGOs," a study trip for journalists was organized a few days ago in the Accursed Mountains. This important environmental activity was also attended by Mr. Mahir Yagcilar, Minister of the Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning, Mr. Idriz Vehapi, Minister of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development, Mr. Adem Graboci, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Transport and Telecommunications, Mr. Ilir Morina, Chief Executive Officer of the Kosovo Environmental Protection Agency, Mr. Ali Berisha, Mayor of Peja Municipality, representatives from environmental NGOs, as well as media representatives.
The attendees were greeted by representatives of the Ministry of Environment, Spatial Planning and Infrastructure (MMPH), REC, and the Municipality of Peja, who encouraged the media to give greater importance to environmental issues and to contribute more to raising public awareness about the natural values of the Accursed Mountains.
The presentations by environmental NGOs and local government representatives, as well as the discussions among attendees, were also focused on the natural values of the Accursed Mountains, the possibilities, advantages, and necessities of declaring them a National Park. Special importance in these discussions was also given to cooperation with the local population and informing them about the opportunities for benefits from the development of ecotourism and other socio-economic activities.
As part of this activity, besides the visit to the tourist village of Bogaj and the village of Drelaj, the documentary film by NGO-ERA was also shown, where uncontrolled logging of forests, degradation of natural resources, and other negative impacts in the Accursed Mountains Region were presented. The project "Sustainable Kosovo, strengthening the framework of environmental NGOs" is part of the Matra program for societal transformation, funded by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs and implemented by the REC office in Kosovo. The aim of the project is to provide Kosovo's environmental NGOs with the necessary training in rebuilding and designing development plans that are environmentally acceptable.