12 June 2013
12/06/2013 - Representatives of National Parks and Nature Parks from countries in the Balkan region conducted a study visit to the Sharri National Park. On this occasion, they observed firsthand how protected areas are managed in Kosovo and what the values of these areas are, with particular emphasis on the Sharri National Park. During the visit, they visited the Lost Waters nature reserve, which is a rare natural phenomenon not only for the region but also more widely.
The CEO of AMMK, Ilir Morina, welcomed the participants of the visit and also expressed the pleasure that Kosovo's Protected Areas are part of the Dinaric Arc Parks project. Meanwhile, the Director of Sharri NP, Hazer Dana, informed the visit participants about the history, natural values of the Park, and its management.
In this study visit, in addition to guests from 7 Western Balkan countries, representatives from Kosovo's environmental institutions, representatives from protected areas, as well as representatives from the Parliamentary Commission for Agriculture, Forestry, Rural Development, Environment, and Spatial Planning also participated.
This study trip is part of WWF's project 'Dinaric Arc Parks' and after Kosovo, it continued with a visit to the National Parks in Macedonia. Through this project, the aim is to create a network of nature parks and national parks in the territory of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Croatia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Slovenia, and Serbia. Around thirty experts working in the nature protection sector from the region have the opportunity to learn how something useful for the local population can be done in their protected areas, without harming nature, and in a way that is economically feasible.