EU and Montenegro Join Forces to Restore Bolje Sestre Water Source

Within the framework of the National Environmental Protection Campaign Čuvaj da te čuva, a clean-up action has been launched in the sanitary protection zone of one of Montenegro’s most important sources of drinking water – Bolje Sestre.

In recent years, this zone has suffered from illegal gravel extraction and improper waste disposal. It will be cleaned by the Montenegro Spatial Protection Authority and the employees of the Regional Water Supply. The clean-up activities will span several days, aiming to preserve water quality and protect the environment.

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The Čuvaj da te čuva campaign is a collaborative effort between the Delegation of the European Union and the Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Northern Region Development. The campaign focuses on raising awareness about the importance of protecting natural resources and fostering a responsible attitude towards the environment.

The Ambassador of the EU to Montenegro, Johann Sattler, expressed his satisfaction with the significant engagement of institutions, the civil sector, and citizens in the national environmental protection campaign.

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”I am glad to see things moving in the right direction and particularly pleased with the establishment of a dedicated unit within the Police Directorate tackling environmental crime. The enforcement of the law is essential. We must protect the water resources and ensure that those who violate the law, such as illegal gravel extractors, are brought to justice. Our goal over the next two to three years is to prepare Montenegro for EU accession in every respect, including ecological readiness. Montenegro needs to be clean and finally fulfil the constitutional commitment made 30 years ago – Become an ecological state,” said the Ambassador.

Deputy Prime Minister for Security, Defence, the Fight Against Crime, and Internal Affairs, Aleksa Bečić, stated that for the first time, under the mandate of this Government, the fight against environmental crime has been declared a national priority in combating serious and organised crime.

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“Rest assured, with the same intensity with which we combat the tobacco mafia, drug cartels, and other forms of crime, we are fighting – and will continue to fight – environmental crime. In this struggle, there can be no protected or privileged individuals. I advocate for the harshest penalties and the continuous improvement of sentencing policy because there can be no compromise with the state, its natural wealth, and vital national interests,” Bečić said.

The Minister of Ecology, Sustainable Development, and Northern Region Development, Damjan Ćulafić, said that today’s action proves that by protecting Montenegro’s environment, the constitutional order is also being preserved.

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“Environmental protection is the issue around which the most diverse and significant actors in Montenegrin society can unite. I believe that preventing illegal gravel extraction from the Morača riverbed has been, and still is, a historic step forward. We assure you that all further actions will contribute to this goal,” said Ćulafić.

The Government recently approved the urgent construction of a drinking water purification facility by the Regional Water Supply. The approval will also be given for the construction of an additional dam next to the existing one, increasing the yield of the Bolje Sestre spring. He noted that this fight also carries a financial benefit by protecting the national budget, in addition to safeguarding the environment.

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The Director of the Regional Water Supply, Krsto Radović, said that the Ambassador’s visit is a strong affirmation of European support for their efforts to enhance sustainable water resource management and contribute to environmental protection. He also expressed gratitude to Deputy Prime Minister Bečić and Minister Ćulafić for their continued support, particularly in the fight against environmental crime.

“The dam in the Morača riverbed, whose construction is in its final phase, is a key step in halting the trend of declining water yield and is a guarantee of secure water supply for future generations,” said Radović.