Environmental analysis of the Prizren region

A round table discussion was held where the findings of the report "Environmental Analysis of the Prizren Region" were published, and current environmental issues and media coverage of these issues were addressed.


Speaking at the debate were Faruk Bojaxhi, professor at the Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences at the University of Prizren, Fisnik Minci, journalist at Koha Ditore, and Nora Simitciu, environmental expert from EC Ma Ndryshe.
Initially the EC Ma Ndryshe representative presented the findings and recommendations of the analysis. The purpose of this analysis is to generate sources of information on environmental parameters that will serve as guidelines for local environmental policies of the future. This analysis assesses that progress has been made in the development of strategies in this area, but their applicability remains to be desired. Before the participants, Simitciu presented the Local Environmental Action Plans and other relevant programs, and stated for municipalities to include community, NGOs, professional organizations and business community. Also, during this presentation were elaborated the driving forces and pressures on the environment, the areas of interest in environmental protection and highlighted the problems that are causing the destruction of biodiversity and the current state of environment in the Municipality of Prizren.


On the other hand, Faruk Bojaxhi presented from the professional point of view the above-mentioned problems. He indicated that Kosovo falls into the category of ecological sites as it has a large number of forests but the problem lies in whether these areas are currently protected and treated by institutions and citizens. The quarries were the other issue that was highlighted as one of the biggest environmental destroyers and was required to have proper institutional scrutiny in granting operating permits. Hunting which is affecting species loss, hydropower construction, the return of agricultural lands to construction land, etc., were other current environmental problems that warranted urgent attention and action.


Fisnik Minci, correspondent from Koha Ditore, focused on how the environment is treated by the media. As environmental issues are issues of public interest, they have their place in different media. According to Minci, in the past these issues have not been prioritized in the media but in recent years this trend is changing and there is a growing media interest. It was noted that sometimes lack of sufficient, reliable and timely information makes it difficult to report on these problems and often lacks the transparency of the responsible institutions, which in turn makes the data not transmitted to journalists and thus not transmitted to citizens too.


After the presentations there was an open discussion among the participants where the passivity of the relevant institutions was criticized and it was requested that the findings of this debate follow up to make changes. It was also called for greater attention and commitment to the topic of environmental protection.

The activity was held in the framework of the project "Environmental Monitor" which is financially supported by the Kosovo Foundation for Open Society (KFOS).
 

Rrjetëzimi