National Parks Tara, Fruška gora and Đerdap improving

cooperation with local communities

Stakeholder Councils Established in Three National Parks in Serbia

Stakeholder councils which will enable better management of protected areas through connection with local communities are established in three national parks in Serbia – “Tara”, “Fruška gora” and “Đerdap” with support from WWF Adria program “Protected Areas for Nature and People”.  “As much as it is necessary to increase the number and surface of protected areas, it is equally important to improve management in them and stop unsustainable use of natural resources. To achieve this it is necessary to have regular monitoring and improvement of biodiversity and benefits that ecosystems give to people. We believe that stakeholder councils in national parks will contribute to this”, said Jasmina Jović, from Ministry of Environmental Protection. Stakeholder councils gather members of local government, local community and organizations that implement their activities on the territory of the national park. They will now together be involved in the process of making management programs and plans, with the priority of securing better protection and promotion of that area. “The goal of establishing stakeholder councils is to harmonize the interests of the local community, organizations, institutions and enterprises from national parks or their immediate surroundings. We want to make a model that will in a sustainable way connect local communities and management of national parks, so everyone could benefit from better managing. If the local community is included in a proper way, a better management of the protected areas is possible, which will contribute to the better nature conservation”, said Duška Dimović from WWF Adria. Improving the management of protected areas in the Balkan is one of the priorities of WWF Adria within the program "Protected areas for nature and people", which is financed by the Swedish Development Agency (SIDA).In addition to cooperation with the local population and resource users, the project promotes good regional and global practice examples on how local people can have socio-economic benefits from living in national parks.

Ministry of environmental protection has defined stakeholder councils within the Law on National Parks in order to secure sustainable management of natural resources in the most valuable areas in Serbia.

Activities of the Network

© WWF Adria Stakeholder Council in NP Fruška gora

© WWF Adria Stakeholder Council in NP Tara

M A R C H 2 0 1 9 , I S S U E 2 - 1 9

Parks Dinarides Newsletter

Successfully realized project of cooperation with agricultural producers in the Nature Park Žumberak – Samoborsko gorje

Public Institution “Nature Park Žumberak – Samoborsko gorje” in cooperation with Lush Manufacturing has successfully realized the project “Evaluation of Capacities and Business Cooperation Realization which stimulates biodiversity in the nature park “Žumberak – Samoborsko gorje”. Main goal of the project was to get the management acquainted with family agricultural farms on in the area of the park – what and how they do, what they expect from the park, and possibilities for cooperation in the future. During four months of project duration representatives of the park visited 260 registered family agricultural farms whereas one third of them is still active. During organized visits to the farms the concept of Pro-Biodiversity Business was presents, then the possibilities for cooperation with the Park and the Lush Manufacturing through the likely purchase of local products. The possibilities for sale of domestic products from doorstep have been enhanced through cooperation with local community.

During four months of project duration representatives of the park visited 260 registered family agricultural farms

The initial plan for development of sales booths at doorstep is simplified with more practical panels which will serve to inform the passersby on possibility of buying. The panels are coated with the colour for the school panels so that the users could write with chalks on them. Each of them comes along with twenty magnetic pictograms with typical products for this area and each user sets those pictograms on panels which he currently offers. The Management of the Park shared all promotional panels developed in the project, but also reserved the funds for additional purposes for this year. The Project has been realized through the regional Grants Programme for Protected Areas implemented by the Parks Dinarides – network of protected areas of Dinarides and WWF Adria, financed by Swiss Development Agency (SIDA). The main goal of the programme is development of partnership between protected areas and representatives of local communities based on principles of responsibility, transparency and active role of citizens.

The Grants Scheme for the Parks Dinarides Protected Areas

©nature park Žumberak – Samoborsko gorje

©Nature park Žumberak – Samoborsko gorje

Preparation three years Strategic Plan of the Network is getting

finalized

The workshop on Development of Strategic Plan of the Parks Dinaride was held

as part of the preparation of three year Strategic Plan of the Parks Dinarides for

the period 2019-2021 in Samobor (Croatia) from the 19th until the 22nd

February 2019. Preparation of the new plan started in 2018.

During participative process, at the conference of the Parks Dinarides held in

November in Budva (Montenegro), the first workshop was organized whereas

the participant discussed on current work of network and the needs for the

upcoming period.

At the second workshop, organized in Samobor, the statement on Vision and

Mission of the Parks Dinarides was considered, SWOT Analysis prepared, as

well as the Tree of Problems and Strategic and Operational Plan with cost

estimation. As part of the new three year Strategic Plan of Parks Dinarides

(2019-2021) in period from the 19th until 22nd February 2019 in Samobor

(Croatia) the workshop on Development of Strategic Plan of the Parks

Dinarides was held.

In accordance with obtained inputs from the workshop participants the

Strategic Development Plan of the Parks Dinarides will amended and finalized

until half of March 2019. After that, the members will be able to value it and

adopt it at the following General Assembly of the Parks Dinarides planned for

the beginning of May.

New Strategic Plan of the Parks Dinarides is prepared with support of WWF

Adria Programme “Protected Areas for Nature and People”, financed by Swiss

Development Agency (SIDA).

FASHION NEWS INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

Explaining the catwalk - 3

Strategic planning of the Parks Dinarides in Samobor

©Parks Dinarides, Conference "People and protected Areas", November 2018, Montenegro

News from the Parks

Poboljšati prekogranično upravljanje velikim zvjerima

National Park Risnjak host of the Conference Carnivora Dinarica

National Park Risnjak was the host of the initial conference of the Project Carnivora Dinarica which gathered more than 50 participants from Croatia and Slovenia on 28th January 2019. The Project Carnivora Dinarica deals with cross border cooperation and services of ecosystem in long-term preservation of big beasts population in the North Dinarides, while the main goal of the project is better co-living between people and the big beasts. As one of the partners a lot of work awaits NP Risnjak. In the next 2 years, this park will work on setting up didactical corners in schools, education of teachers in curricula on nature, procurement of electrical fences in order to mitigate the damage from big beasts, setting up outdoor info kiosks on educational path Leska, so that the visitors could be additionally educated on co-living with big beasts, procurement of bear proof garbage bins in order to prevent their habituation, as well as reconstruction of the facility which will serve for rehabilitation of lynx and their release into wilderness. The Project started on the 1st of September 2018, and it will last for 30 months, co-financed by EFRR in the scope of the Cooperation Programme Interreg V-A Slovenia – Croatia. Besides NP Risnjak, the following entities participate in the Project: Biotechnical Faculty of Ljubljana University (lead partner), Agency for Forestry of Slovenia, Municipality Pivka, Faculty of Veterinary of the Zagreb University, WWF Adria, City of Vrbovski and Primorsko-goranska County.

FASHION NEWS INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

Explaining the catwalk - 3

© Tomas Hulik WWF

Vjetrenica soon becomes protected landscape

The Vjetrenica Cave is hydrologically active speleological structure with even 4 water flow and tens of small periodical flows with underground lakes. Settled in the area of south – dinaric karst, with the entrance from the ridge of “Popovo Field”, 300 m east from the center of village Zavala on the altitude of 260 m above sea level, 12 km air distance from Adriatic Sea.This 7 km long cave managed by the public company “Vjetrenica d.o.o. Ravno” since 2005, is protected as nature monument from 1952, and from 1965 is in the category of special geological reserve. Besides that it was nominated in 2004 for UNESCO’s preliminary list of world heritage.There are more good news from this institution. Namely, the process of setting up the protected landscape Vjetrenica which is carried out by the Company for a longer period in cooperation with UNEP and CENER 21, as well as with line ministries, is in the finals phase.In 2018 we organized 5 meetings with representatives of the local community and hunters association and other communities which act in our area and participated in two sessions of the management, and eventually finalized hard working process of defining the area in accordance with the legal framework and wishes of the local community and all that with excellent cooperation with Municipality Ravno”, said Niksa Vuletic, director of JP Vjetrenica.Simultaneously with this process, JP Vjetrenica during 2018 realized two projects supported by the Federal Ministry for Environmental Protection and the Fund for Environmental Protection of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The projects were focused on biological biodiversity, inventory register and mapping the species and habitats, and on registration of all cave facilities in Municipality of Ravno, while this summer big speleological camo will be organized as the crown of these projects.Thanks to diligent work, this company expects successful business year, both in the aspect of tourism and in the aspect of environmental protection and improvement of existing condition.

INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT VJETRENICA CAVE

Temperature condition in the cave are equalized, the air temperature is 11.4°C, water 11.3°C, while the earth temperature is around 10.5°C. The Vjetrenica Cave is inhabited by many cave dwellers, whereas almost 200 various animal species out of which 92 troglobites, which makes it the first cave in the world by biodiversity, and 37 of them is found and described in this place proper (locus typicus). The fauna of Vjetrenica consists of a big number of endemic species so called stanoendemics.

©Toni Zorić, Popovo polje

CAVE MANNERS

1.Wear long trousers and hiking shoes. Never sandals or slippery shoes.2.Always be near the guide, never step away from the group.3.If you feel tired, inform the guide.4.Do not leave the garbage, do not forget that the protected ecosystem is of great value.5.It is not allowed to bring pets.6.Never take requisites from the cave!7.It is not recommended for children younger than 4, claustrophobic persons and those with movement difficulties.

Census of water birds in the special reserve Zasavica

International winter census of water birds – IWC

(International Waterbird Census) has taken place since

1967 and includes more than 25,000 census locations in

over 100 countries. This programme is managed by

Wetlands International – organization which deals with

preservation and rehabilitation of water habitats on the

global level. In each state national coordinators work

with the network of associates (both professionals and

amateurs) who gather the data on the field on water

birds.

IWC Programme in Serbia is implemented with different

intensity since 1982 when the attention was generally

focused on Danube. Since 2012 when the Bird Protection

and Study Society of Serbia manages winter census of

birds the network of volunteers has been increased, and

the focus except for the Danube is paid on other

locations and categories of water habitats such as canals,

brooks, wet meadows, etc. So far over 90 species of water

birds have been registered through winter census, and

estimated between 400,000 and 700,000 birds is

spending winters in Serbia.

This year’s IWC indicated significant fall in number of all species in relation to previous years and the reasons will be known after the research.

Special nature reserve Zasavica has implemented the census in one part of the Sava river and in canals on the territory of Sremska Mitrovica and SNR Zasavica in the period between 10 January and 31 January 2019. In total 23 bird species with 626 birds have been registered. Out of the total number 592 birds were recorded in the Sava river, 24 birds on Zasavica and 9 birds in the Chikas canal. The most numerous are the river gulls (Larus Ridibundus) with almost 400 birds, the black coot (Fulica atra) follows with 68 birds and on the third place big cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) with 60 birds. It is important to note the presence of two globally endangered species from the category SPEC 1 the white tailed eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla) and small cormorant (Phalacrocorax pygmeus) and also the winter wanderer the hen harrier (Circus cyaneus). This year’s IWC indicated significant fall in number of all species in relation to previous years and the reasons will be known after the research. Text composed byMihajlo Stankovićexpert – researcher at SRP Zasavica

©SRP Zasavica, Common Coot (Fulica atra)

©SRP Zasavica, Sava River

National Park “Krka” celebrated 34th birthday

National Park “Krka” entered new year in holiday mood. One of the youngest Croatian National Parks celebrated 34th birthday on 24th January. For the purpose of protecting the natural values and rich cultural historical heritage that intersect in the cruel rock, this area was pronounced the National Park in 1985. For its birthday in the premises of the National Park Krka in Skradin, the book by Ante Juric was presented: Ravni kotari i Bukovica: settlements, sacred facilities, fortifications and archeological findings: cultural-historical research, published in the issue of the Branch of Matica Hrvatska (Matrix Croatica) in Skradin. “In the last thirty years the public institution “National Park Krka” defined and strengthened its principles which are based on the nature protection, sustainable development and education. It is important to us that the natural harmony is preserved for future generations and we develop in accordance with the requirements of modern times and needs of the ancient river. The last year was characterized with strong development of active visits. Approximately 470 km of cycling routs have been organized and presented, and as the starting point for active tours, the new visitors’ center has been opened in Laskovica. Two new trails on two shores of Krka are ideal for the active tours in the nature for local population: Goris – Torak on the left and Vukovića Podi on the right. One year older, we keep wheels turning in the that direction backed up by the wind, which is given by those who know Krka, love and first of all care”, said the management of the Park. “National Park Krka started in 1994 the press publishing in order to make the collection of knowledge of their employees, scientists and researchers of natural and cultural-historical phenomena in the area of Krka, available to the readers. Up to date it published fifty five books.

WITH ITS SEVEN TRAVERTINE WATERFALLS THE KRKA RIVER IS A NATURAL AND KARST PHENOMENON

With flooded part of the confluence Krka is 72.5 km long and by the width it is 22nd river in Croatia. It springs below Dinara Mountain, 3.5 km north from Knin. With seven travertine waterfalls and total fall of 224 m, Krka is natural and karst phenomenon. Skradinski buk is the seventh, final and longest travertine barrier on the Krka River. It is one of the most unusual and beautiful landscapes in Krka National Park

©NP Krka, Skradinski buk

Activities of the National Parks of Montenegro on

preservation of fish population in the Skadar

Lake

Cooperation towards fish preservation in the Skadar Lake

.Public Company for National Parks of Montenegro has

enhanced cooperation with the NGO “Group for

Protection of Carp” for the purpose of more efficient

protection of fish population, by engaging the volunteers

who will jointly participate with Parks rangers in space

control activities.

Activities implemented by the NP Skadar Lake and the

NGO “Group for Protection of Carp” give visible results

in preservation of fish population. A line of illegal

activities which endanger fish population has been

prevented, and the penalties for illegal fishing have been

pronounced in this Park, said Elvir Klica, Director of the

Public Company “National Parks of Montenegro”.

Namely, the activities of the rangers from the National

Park Skadar Lake and the volunteers of the NGO “Group

for Protection of Carp” in the areas of Crni Zar and

Lipovnjak, illegal fishing was prevented. The inspector for

agriculture and fishery issued an offence order to the

persons found in illegal activity and fine in total amount

of 2000 Euros, while the fish was returned to the Lake.

Skadar Lake is particularly important for richness of fish

and birdlife and the use illegal fishing equipment

including underwater gun, leads to biodiversity loss. For

the purpose of natural values protection, NP Skadar Lake

invites citizens to report all illegal activities and

contribute in that way to their prevention.

Skadar Lake is situated on the border between Montenegro and Albania and presents the largest lake on Balkan. Two thirds of the lake belong to Montenegro while one third belongs to the Republic Albania.

Educational Workshops in National Parks in

Montenegro

World Wetland Day in National Parks in Montenegro

On the occasion of the 2nd February, World Wetlands

Day for the purpose of informing and awareness

increasing on importance of natural values of National

Park Skadar Lake in protection from climate change, the

educators of the National Parks of Montenegro have

organized educational workshops in elementary schools.

The workshops had interactive character with

presentation in relation to this year’s subject of this

ecologically important date whose slogan is “We are not

powerless against climate change” with special attention

on National Park Skadar Lake as wetland of international

importance.

©JPNPCG, Skadar lake

©JPNPCG, Skadar lake, European white water lily (Nymphea alba)

#ProtectWater campaign

Despite strong EU legislation on waters, the latest report of the European Commission on its implementation, published on 26 February 2019, gives a gloomy image. Although certain progress has been made, the Member Countries are not yet anywhere near achieving good conditions of waters until 2027. The fifth report of the European Commission on Implementation of the Water Framework Directive (WFD) is based on River Basins Management Plans (RBMPs) prepared by the member states for the period 2015-2021. According to this regulation, these plans are compulsory and outline the governments’ plans for achieving Directive’s goals and they are useful tool for achieving protection, improvement and sustainable use of fresh waters throughout European Union. Based on the analysis of RBMPs, the European Union issued recommendations to the member states for water management improvement and recognized how urgent it is to change the method of resolving the main pressure on waters (such as pollution from agriculture or excessive use of water). For World Wild Fund (WWF), this report gives proofs how the member states seriously undermine their legal obligations and therefore endanger availability of water for nature and people. The Member State however must make a lot more efforts for preservation and improvement of conditions of our waters, because the fact that only 40% of European Rivers, lakes and swamps are in good condition, is quite disappointing or irresponsible, and in the same time the most effective tool for protection and renewal of European Waters is not used in its full potential, said Irma Popovic Dujmovic from WWF Adria.The process of evaluation of water policies is currently in progress in the European Union, and online public consultations have been conducted with citizens on how important fresh water ecosystems are and whether the EU legislation contributed to the changes on sustainable water management, and if it made better condition to water basins. Therefore more than 337,000 citizens already supported WFD through #ProtectWater campaign and in that way sent the message that the attempts of its weakening and avoiding responsibility must not be allowed.

ABOUT #PROTECTWATER CAMPAIGN:

Europe is blessed with some of the world’s most stunning rivers, lakes and wetlands - from Soča, the so-called ‘Emerald Queen of the Alps’, to the jaw-dropping beauty of Doñana, one of Europe’s most important wetlands. But these incredible ecosystems are under attack. They can't speak up. Will you?Stand up for Europe's rivers today - tell the European Commission to keep the EU water law strong using the form above.

Upcoming

Meeting of INHERIT community in Split

The next partners meeting of INHERIT project (Sustainable tourism strategies to conserve and valorize the Mediterranean costal and maritime natural heritage) will take place in Split, on the 27th-28th of March 2019. The meeting will gather lead partners, WP leaders and relevant key partners. The project will test and deploy a new approach adapted to MED specificities protecting natural heritage from the adverse effects of intensive tourism. INHERIT will promote sustainable tourism alleviating seasonality and tackling the surpassing of the hosting capacity, by designing and implementing a “bottom-up” protection approach relying on self-regulation and monitoring by local society and tourism stakeholders. INHERIT is project of Interreg MED Programme with 15 partners from all 10 MED countries aiming to conserve and valorise natural heritage in MED coastal and maritime tourist destinations. Parks Dinarides – Network of Protected Areas of Dinarides is an official partner from Montenegro. More about INHERIT project https://inherit.interreg-med.eu/

INHERIT project is started in February 2018 and is expected to be completed on the end of January 2022

Sustainable Tourism Meeting in Greece: Parks in Europe looking for a Sustainable Response to Tourism

From April 9th - 11th Paramanta town, Greece, will be the meeting point for professionals working and interested in sustainable tourism. Technicians working in European nature and national parks, as well as businesses and tour operators, will join the XI Charter Network Meeting to discuss how to provide a sustainable response to the social and cultural challenges that tourism brings. With tourism growing at an unprecedented rate all over Europe, and with the tourism industry currently accounting for over 10% of Europe’s GDP, there are numerous challenges arising in over-visited destinations.If sustainably managed, tourism has the potential to promote social development through employment creation, economic activities and even strengthen communities through the reaffirmation of culture, tradition and values. While keynote speakers will bring expert consideration of the social and cultural impacts of tourism on communities, practical workshops will give participants the possibility to learn new competences. Storytelling, setting up touristic packages that work, and managing visitor flows in destinations are some of the topics that will be covered in the workshops. Participation is open to all professionals working for Protected Areas, but also to tourism entrepreneurs and tour agencies working in sustainable tourism. More information about event available at: www.europarc.org/xi-charter-network-meeting     The European Charter for Sustainable Tourism in Protected Areas, is a practical management tool implemented in over 100 nature protected areas across Europe. Through a strong participatory process, Protected Areas become EUROPARC Sustainable Destinations: delivering social, economic and environmental benefits to the area, in a way that preserves the existing culture, allowing growth and development.

EUROPARC FEDERATION

EUROPARC federation is the network for European natural and cultural heritage. Federation works on management improvement of protected areas in Europe through international cooperation, exchange of ideas and experience.  EUROPARC federation is dedicated to practical protection and sustainable development of biodiversity of Europe, stipulating holistically approach to management.

Deadline for submitting project proposals is 15th

April 2019.

The Second invitation for Project Proposals in the scope of IPA Programme of cross border cooperation Montenegro – Kosovo 2014-2020

General goal of the Second Invitation is improvement of standards and quality of life in programme area, through ecologically sustainable and socially inclusive economic development of the region, respecting mutual cultural and natural heritage.  Theme priorities: TP 1 – Employment incentives, mobility of work force and social inclusion on both sides of the border;TP 3 – Promotion of tourism, cultural and natural heritage More on the invitation at https://cbc-mne-kos.org/me/pozivi/drugi-poziv-za-dostavljanje-prijedloga-projekata/

Calls for Application

Deadline for submitting project proposals is 27th

May 2019, 14:30

The Second invitation for Project Proposals in the scope of IPA Programme of cross border cooperation Montenegro – Albania 2014-2020

Overall objective of this call for proposals is to

promote/strengthen good neighbourly relations and

socioeconomic development of the border regions,

through the environmentally sustainable and socially

inclusive economic development, with respect for its

common cultural and natural heritage.

The call is open to the following thematic priorities (TP):

TP2 - Protecting the environment, promoting climate

change adaptation and mitigation, risk prevention and

management;

TP 3 - Promoting employment, labour mobility and social

and cultural inclusion across the border

Instructions for applicants are available at the following

link: https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/europeaid/online-

services/index.cfm?do=publi.welcome