The cutting of cypress trees in the Podgorica neighborhood of Zagorič is another blow to Montenegro’s environmental state during the 21st-century climate crisis.

The NGO Green Home calls on the authorities to determine responsibility for this oversight, which resulted in the felling of dozens of cypress trees near the former barracks in Zagorič, clearly showing that decision-makers place nature protection last.

What is particularly worrying is the stance of the Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable Development, and Northern Development, which does not show concern for nature protection but rather attempts to shift responsibility away from the institution. The fact that an environmental impact assessment was not required for this project does not mean there were no other procedures that could and should have preserved these trees.

On the other hand, the Prime Minister’s call for greater environmental awareness among citizens in a country where waste is discarded everywhere, animals are ruthlessly killed and tortured, and forests have been destroyed for years, is not particularly encouraging as we do not see concrete measures to increase civic awareness in this area.

There was certainly a way to construct the building at the designated location while preserving the pine trees, but this was not even considered. The fact that the land is privately owned and not within a protected area does not diminish the value and significance of each tree today, surrounded by excessive construction, polluted air, and the altered visual identity of the capital.

Rows of pines would provide a natural barrier against exhaust gases from traffic for future residents of the building to be constructed in an area where traffic is extremely intense, significantly improving the quality of life in that area.