Legal Framework of Legal Framework of protected sites and protected sites and status ofstatus of ecological ecological

networks in Montenegronetworks in Montenegro

Milena KapaMilena Kapa

Ministry of Tourism and EnviroMinistry of Tourism and Environnmentment of Montenegroof Montenegro

May,29. 2009.May,29. 2009.SarajevoSarajevo

MONTENEGRO

South East EuropeSouth West Balkan• Area:13,812 km2• Climate: • Mediterranean• Continental• Mountains: 85 %• Valley plains: 15%• Sea Coast: 293 km (55km sand beach)• National parks: 4• Canyons: 5• Lakes: 40

INSTITUTIONAL ORGANIZATION

1. GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATION2. PUBLIC ENTERPRISES 3. SCIENTIFIC INSTITUTIONS4. OTHER INSTITUTIONS AND NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS

Legal framework for protected sites

The Law on Environment (“Official Gazette of ME”, no. 48/08) with principle of conservation of natural and biological diversity.

The Law on Nature Protection ("Official Gazette of ME“ no. 51/08) protects nature as a whole, special natural values, landmarks and natural rarities, significant for life and work of citizens .

Legal framework for protected sites

The Law on National Parks ("Official Gazette of the Republic of Montenegro ", no. 47/91), defines conservation and management of national parks, as natural assets of general interest.

The new Law on National Parks is in the Parliament approval procedure, which foresees a new National Park in Prokletije.

The National Strategy of Sustainable Development (2007)

The National Environmental Policy (2008)

The National Biodiversity Strategy (review 2009)

Protected Areas in Montenegro of regional / Protected Areas in Montenegro of regional / international / transboundary importanceinternational / transboundary importance

Spatial Plan of Montenegro until 2020

6 National Parks

including foreseen new “Prokletije” and “Orjen”

6 Regional Parks

3 International PAs

EMERALD NETWORK IN MONTENEGROEMERALD NETWORK IN MONTENEGRO

Project of “Establishing an Emerald Network” from 2005-2008 under Project of “Establishing an Emerald Network” from 2005-2008 under responsibility of the Ministry of Tourism and Environmentresponsibility of the Ministry of Tourism and Environment

Initiated by the Council of Europe bInitiated by the Council of Europe based on the criteria of the ased on the criteria of the Resolutions 4 and 6 of the Convention on the conservation of Resolutions 4 and 6 of the Convention on the conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats and Annexes I and II of the European Wildlife and Natural Habitats and Annexes I and II of the Habitats and Birds Directives, Habitats and Birds Directives,

156 habitat types, 5 plant species, 5 moss species and 162 species of 156 habitat types, 5 plant species, 5 moss species and 162 species of invertebrates and vertebrates significant for conservation have been invertebrates and vertebrates significant for conservation have been identified on Montenegrin territory. identified on Montenegrin territory.

Actions: - training workshop in Belgrade and OhridActions: - training workshop in Belgrade and Ohrid - identification of habitat and species per bio-geographic region- identification of habitat and species per bio-geographic region

according to the Bern Convention and Habitats Directive, according to the Bern Convention and Habitats Directive, - distribution maps of selected species and habitats in GIS, - distribution maps of selected species and habitats in GIS, - digital boundaries for areas of special conservation interest, - digital boundaries for areas of special conservation interest, - final report on project activities and results. - final report on project activities and results.

Emerald Network map for MontenegroEmerald Network map for Montenegro

Benefits of Emerald NetworkBenefits of Emerald Network

AchievementsAchievements Contribution towards European trends for nature conservation;Contribution towards European trends for nature conservation; Database as basic tool for development of future eco-networks;Database as basic tool for development of future eco-networks; Getting acquainted with commonly applied methodology;Getting acquainted with commonly applied methodology; Capacity building of skilled experts and training for personnel Capacity building of skilled experts and training for personnel

being involved in nature conservation in future;being involved in nature conservation in future; Preparation for Natura 2000 network development.Preparation for Natura 2000 network development.

ProblemsProblems:: Lack of fresh ecological data on some areas, species populations; Lack of fresh ecological data on some areas, species populations; Lack of digitized maps and GIS system in Montenegro;Lack of digitized maps and GIS system in Montenegro; Incompatibility of Palaeractic classification with regionally applied Incompatibility of Palaeractic classification with regionally applied

syntaxonomy;syntaxonomy; Lack of regionally important endemic plant and fauna species and Lack of regionally important endemic plant and fauna species and

marine species in the resolution No. 6.marine species in the resolution No. 6.

Emerald leading to Natura 2000Emerald leading to Natura 2000

The Emerald network data and sites serve as base for the The Emerald network data and sites serve as base for the establishment of the NATURA 2000 network in the establishment of the NATURA 2000 network in the upcoming period….upcoming period….

……as another milestone of Montenegro towards regional as another milestone of Montenegro towards regional stabilisation, European integration and association to the stabilisation, European integration and association to the EU.EU.

OVERVIEW OF ONGOING AND OVERVIEW OF ONGOING AND PLANNED CROSS-BORDER PLANNED CROSS-BORDER

PROJECTS IN MONTENEGRO AND PROJECTS IN MONTENEGRO AND IDENTIFICATION OF FUTIDENTIFICATION OF FUTUURE RE

PRIORITIESPRIORITIES

Milena KapaMilena Kapa

Ministry of Tourism and Ministry of Tourism and EnviroEnvironnmentment of Montenegroof MontenegroMay, 29. 2009.May, 29. 2009.

SarajevoSarajevo

Nature/ biodiversity protection Nature/ biodiversity protection and protected areas (Naturaand protected areas (Natura 2 2000)000)

NATIONAL FRAMEWORKNATIONAL FRAMEWORK

Law on Nature Conservation (Official Law on Nature Conservation (Official Gazette of Montenegro No. 51/08) Gazette of Montenegro No. 51/08)

- 6 categories of protected areas- 6 categories of protected areas,,- sets the legal basis for improved - sets the legal basis for improved management and for …management and for …- establishment of the Natura 2000 - establishment of the Natura 2000 network of protected areas.network of protected areas.- Discussion on stakeholder and policy/ - Discussion on stakeholder and policy/ planning framework …planning framework …- relevant for this policy sub-area has been - relevant for this policy sub-area has been detailed in the previousdetailed in the previous section too. section too.

Ongoing projectOngoing project / cross-border/ cross-border

““Integrated management of Skadar Lake ecosystem” Integrated management of Skadar Lake ecosystem” WB, GEF-4,9 mil. DollarsWB, GEF-4,9 mil. Dollars

Implementation phaseImplementation phase Way to improvemenWay to improvement:t: Principles of sustainabilityPrinciples of sustainability All stakeholders involvementAll stakeholders involvement ““Huge” infrastructure sanitationHuge” infrastructure sanitation Joint activities (management)Joint activities (management) International standards (Ramsar, WFD)International standards (Ramsar, WFD)

Basic characteristicsBasic characteristics Montenegro-AlbaniaMontenegro-Albania Biggest Lake on Balkan PeninsulaBiggest Lake on Balkan Peninsula Diversity: natural, cultural, socialDiversity: natural, cultural, social Water resourceWater resource Biodiversity: Fauna, flora, fungiBiodiversity: Fauna, flora, fungi Ornithology, ichtiology, vascular flora Ornithology, ichtiology, vascular flora

Planned projectPlanned project UNDP/GEFUNDP/GEF

Strengthening the sustainability of the protected area Strengthening the sustainability of the protected area system system

of Montenegro, UNDP/GEF.of Montenegro, UNDP/GEF.

Components of the project areComponents of the project are::

Component 1Component 1 Expand and rationalise the PA system to ensure Expand and rationalise the PA system to ensure better habitat representation and more secure conservation better habitat representation and more secure conservation status; status;

andand

Component 2Component 2 Strengthen the capacity of PA institutions to Strengthen the capacity of PA institutions to effectively manage a more representative protected area effectively manage a more representative protected area system.system.

NATURA 2000NATURA 2000

““Serbia, Montenegro and Natura 2000: Strengthening the Capacity of Serbia, Montenegro and Natura 2000: Strengthening the Capacity of Governments and civil sector to adapt to EU Nature Protection Aquis” – Governments and civil sector to adapt to EU Nature Protection Aquis” – Montenegro Natura 2000 database developmentMontenegro Natura 2000 database development

WWF-World Wide Fund for Nature (formerly World Wildlife Fund) WWF-World Wide Fund for Nature (formerly World Wildlife Fund) ("WWF") has approved funding of EUR 17.838,00 to the ("WWF") has approved funding of EUR 17.838,00 to the Institute for Institute for Nature Protection of Montenegro Nature Protection of Montenegro

The overall goal of the Institute for Nature Protection of Montenegro is The overall goal of the Institute for Nature Protection of Montenegro is to support Daphne and WWF and coordinate and oversee local experts to support Daphne and WWF and coordinate and oversee local experts to provide expertise and receive capacity building for the establishment to provide expertise and receive capacity building for the establishment of a functional N2000 database in Montenegro with mapped, updated of a functional N2000 database in Montenegro with mapped, updated and field-verified data by the end of the project in 2011.and field-verified data by the end of the project in 2011.

““Introduction of Natura 2000 in MontenegroIntroduction of Natura 2000 in Montenegro””,, t training raining wworkshop was orkshop was held on 8 and 9 May, 2008. in hotel Sind, Muo, Montenegroheld on 8 and 9 May, 2008. in hotel Sind, Muo, Montenegro,, with around with around 25 participants from science institutes, government representatives and 25 participants from science institutes, government representatives and NGO’s. The training was organized by NGO’s. The training was organized by NGO “NGO “Green ForestGreen Forest””, supported , supported by Ministry of Tourism and Environment of Montenegro.by Ministry of Tourism and Environment of Montenegro.

FUTURE PRIORITIESFUTURE PRIORITIES

Requirements in MontenegroRequirements in Montenegro

Expansion of the network of protected areas Expansion of the network of protected areas Establishment of Natura 2000 - for preservation of Montenegrin Establishment of Natura 2000 - for preservation of Montenegrin

biodiversity biodiversity An effective policy with clear priorities towards biodiversity An effective policy with clear priorities towards biodiversity

protectionprotection Pave the way for placing more valuable habitats under protection Pave the way for placing more valuable habitats under protection

and forand for better management of protected areas. better management of protected areas.

That is why MTE should undertake the following steps:That is why MTE should undertake the following steps:

Initiate and lead the process of policy formulation (first half of Initiate and lead the process of policy formulation (first half of 2009);2009);

Provide for the background analysis of policy issues and possible Provide for the background analysis of policy issues and possible solutionssolutions

(first half of 2009);(first half of 2009);Organise consultation process (from strat until end of the Organise consultation process (from strat until end of the process);process);Formulate policy (second half of 2010).Formulate policy (second half of 2010).

Problems in project realization Problems in project realization

defined in the strategic documentsdefined in the strategic documents

AAbsence of a national environmental strategy bsence of a national environmental strategy as as one reason one reason for the for the gapgap of of clear priorities for the countryclear priorities for the country‘‘s international environmental s international environmental cooperation.cooperation.

Institutional capacity of the environmental authorities is weak.Institutional capacity of the environmental authorities is weak.

UnsufficientUnsufficient level of projec level of project t documentationdocumentation..

No adjustment in some segments of the legislative with theNo adjustment in some segments of the legislative with the EU EU DDireirecctivtivss..

Lack of the financial assetsLack of the financial assets..

Lack of the human resourcesLack of the human resources..

Thank you for your attention!

milena.kapa@gov.meTel.:+382 20 482 176