On September 25 and 26, Green Home organized a cross-border conference dedicated to improving the management of Lake Skadar as a cross-border area.
The conference was attended by representatives of the Public Enterprise for National Parks of Montenegro, the Ministry of the Environment of Albania, the management body of Lake Skadar, as well as partners from the civil sector and the professional public. The findings of cross-border otter monitoring, which was carried out in two sessions last year, were presented. The results of the findings will be submitted to the managers of the protected area and relevant Ministries, which will contribute to regular reporting according to the Berne Convention.
A special part of the conference was dedicated to a panel discussion in which related initiatives were presented, among which the GEF7 project in Montenegro aimed at integrating biodiversity into sectoral policies, support for managers through training and revisions of planning documents, participatory management projects, and practical measures on the ground such as the removal of invasive species and support for the return of traditional agricultural practices.
Through expert presentations and discussion, the priority directions of cross-border cooperation were identified: developing a common management strategy with the involvement of local self-governments and civil society; establishment of joint biodiversity monitoring and data exchange; integral planning and coordinated protection measures for species whose habitats cross borders; formation of cross-border environmental patrols for coordinated action against environmental crime; creation of joint sustainable tourism products; joint promotion and preparation of candidacy for UNESCO; and approaching European standards and acting in accordance with European principles.
The participants of the conference had the opportunity to tour the Skadar Lake area by boat, during which the participants observed birds, observed key plant species and the threats they are exposed to, recognized elements of biodiversity and exchanged practical experiences from habitat management and protection.
The cross-border conference was organized within the project “Improving the status of the otter (Lutra lutra) and its habitat in the cross-border area of the Skadar Lake National Park”, implemented by the NGO Green Home in cooperation with PPNEA from Albania and Wildlife Montenegro, and supported by the European Union through the Green Belt program.
