In the previous two days, we witnessed hundreds of fires caused by the negligence and irresponsibility of individuals throughout Montenegro. The most threatened were the areas around Danilovgrad, Žabljak and Gusinje, where numerous fires engulfed large areas. The first spring weekend with nice weather and we have hundreds of fires all over Montenegro without anyone being held accountable, which sends a message that this country is incapable of preventing the destruction of its natural resources.
Yesterday we heard the announcement of the Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Development of the North that they will foresee in the Draft Law on Nature Protection the introduction of strict penalties for clearing meadows by burning, because such actions cause enormous damage to the natural environment, which we certainly support.
However, we would like to point out and remind the authorities that even now there are legally prescribed punitive measures that no one in this country mentions and does not apply, because if they were applied, we would not have hundreds of out-of-control fires all over Montenegro in one weekend.
Announcements of new punitive measures that are yet to be adopted in the legal procedure reduce the pressure and responsibility of those responsible for the application of existing legal regulations and divert attention from existing opportunities. We know that in Montenegro, the adoption of laws takes several years, so, everything is possible, and the adoption of the new Law on Nature Protection, which has been worked on for 4 years, will still take some time. During that time, those responsible for causing the fire cannot and must not go unpunished.
The NGO Green Home calls on the Directorate for Inspectional Supervision of the Directorate for Protection and Rescue to, in accordance with its competences, intensify the application of punitive measures related to lighting fires in the open and causing fires.
Article 104, paragraph 1 of the Law on Protection and Rescue clearly specifies that “it is forbidden to light fires and leave burning objects in places where there is an increased risk of fire outbreak and spread (in parks, road belts and other places where there is dried grass, leaves and other easily flammable objects and materials).” Article 119 stipulates that “a fine in the amount of 30 euros to 1,000 euros will be imposed on a natural person for a misdemeanor, if: (…) sets fire and leaves burning objects in places where there is an increased risk of fire…”
It is clear from this that there is a mechanism defined by law by which those responsible can be punished and by which it can be prevented from carrying out such serious devastation of space, only that no one applies them.
With all this in mind, once again, we call on the authorities to take advantage of the legal possibilities and punish irresponsible citizens who, by their actions, contribute to the increased risk of the occurrence and spread of fires, which can bring devastating consequences with them.
