The UNESCO World Heritage Committee has warned Montenegro that it must ensure that the possible impact of the Komarnica HPP construction on general universal values and the environment is evaluated during the upcoming evaluation by the European Environment Agency (EIA).
It was also stated that particular attention must be paid to the state of the environment after the construction of the priority section of the Smokovac-Mateševo highway, especially the protection of key species that were endangered during the works. The committee obliged Montenegro to evaluate the comprehensive possible impact that the proposed construction of the lead and zinc mine in Mojkovac would have on the environment.
All this is stated in the draft report prepared by the Committee on Montenegro at the session in Riyadh, which is held from September 10th to 25th this year.
The deadline by which Montenegro must inform the Committee about all actions taken expires on December 1st, 2024. Until then, Montenegro is obliged to submit a comprehensive report on all steps.
Regarding HPP Komarnica, it is especially important to consider the further implications that the expansion of the project would have on Dragišnica and the Komarnica Nature Park, and it is recommended not to approve the project if it could have negative consequences on general universal values and the environment.
BiH and Serbia call for the construction of the hydroelectric power plant on the Drina to be accompanied by a comprehensive assessment of the impact on the environment, and that the strategic assessment of the impact on the environment must be carried out in cooperation with Montenegro.
In particular, such an invitation is sent to BiH for the Buk-Bijela project, where a comprehensive environmental impact assessment is requested.
For all these projects, the Committee recommends Montenegro, Serbia and BiH to undertake all actions in coordination with that Committee, in order to avoid making some decisions whose consequences would later be difficult or impossible to remove.
Montenegro was also recommended to apply strict environmental protection standards when it comes to the Lastva Grbaljska – Pljevlja transmission line project.
