Nikšić, October 24.10 – 25.10.2021.  NGO Green Home in cooperation with the NGO Society of Young Ecologists from Nikšić conducted the identification of environmental pressures on the rivers: Gračanica and Bistrica and the upper reaches of the river Zeta.

In addition to the fact that the waters of the Zeta River are used for the needs of HPP Perućica, the pollution brought by its tributaries Gračanica and Bistrica additionally burdens this freshwater ecosystem. In this regard, field research was conducted in order to obtain a comprehensive picture of the state of rivers and understand the cumulative effects of current pressures, but also to develop a plan for rehabilitation of endangered areas of the riverbank and riverbed, with defined measures.

The identification of pressures included mapping landfills, wastewater discharges, gravel exploitation sites, riverbank and riverbed devastation, and other uses of the river’s resources that potentially endangered its natural state.

The mapping of pressures was preceded by the training of a working team that included representatives of Green Home, Society of Young Ecologists, the Alpha Center and the Electric Power Industry of Montenegro.

The collected data will be used for the development of the Operational Plan for the Rehabilitation of Vulnerable Areas of the Riverbanks and Riverbeds with defined measures and will be presented to the competent institutions.

The activity was organized within the project: Contribution to the preservation of natural values of the Upper Zeta River in Montenegro, which is financially supported by the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund – CEPF. More information at: azra.vukovic@greenhome.co.me