VIPOTNIK: AGREEMENT ON LINKING PROTECTED AREAS MARKS A MAJOR STEP FORWARD IN NATURE CONSERVATION

BAJINA BAŠTA, OCTOBER 19 /SRNA/ - The agreement on cross-border links between protected areas in Serbia and Republika Srpska, under the joint name Tara-Drina Cross-Border Area, is a magnificent project that brings together more than 56,000 hectares of protected nature and proves that visions can become reality through joint work, effort and commitment, Republika Srpska Minister of Spatial Planning, Construction and Ecology Bojan Vipotnik said.

After signing the agreement on cross-border links between protected areas with Serbian Minister of Environmental Protection Sara Pavkov in Mitrovac on Mount Tara, Vipotnik stressed that a major step had been taken today both in nature conservation and in strengthening the fraternal ties between Republika Srpska and Serbia.

"Just one year after signing a joint memorandum of understanding and cooperation in the field of environmental protection, we have now signed an agreement to link four protected areas: Tara National Park and Šargan-Mokra Gora Nature Park in Serbia with Drina National Park and Veliki Stolac Nature Park in Republika Srpska," Vipotnik told reporters.

He emphasized that the tangible benefits of this initiative would include the joint management and protection of these outstanding natural assets, as well as joint applications to international funding bodies and the implementation of major environmental projects.

"Another tangible benefit is the development of sustainable ecotourism, which will benefit local communities on both sides of the Drina, because this is not only an environmental project but also a development initiative," Vipotnik stressed.

Vipotnik said that considerable emphasis would be placed on engaging citizens, local communities and all interested stakeholders to position the area as a major ecological oasis on the map of Europe.

"I thank my colleague Pavkov and all employees of both ministries, as well as the institutes in both Republika Srpska and Serbia, for proving through our dedicated joint work that visions can become reality," Vipotnik said.

The document establishes cross-border links between protected areas in Serbia - Tara National Park and Šargan-Mokra Gora Nature Park - and protected areas in Republika Srpska, namely Drina National Park and Veliki Stolac Nature Park.