Since the Ulcinj olive grove and Valdanos bay is a cultural landscape protected by law, and the first in Montenegro, it was announced at the recently held conference in Ulcinj entitled “Identification and analysis – Ulcinj olive grove and Valdanos bay – protection of natural and cultural heritage – landscape”, which was organized by the NGO Dr. Martin Schneider Jakobi (MSJA).
The director of that NGO, Zenepa Lika, as well as the team of experts who worked on the project, believes that the area of the Ulcinj olive grove and Valdanos bay is a potential candidate for the UNESCO list.
At the conference, the Cultural Landscape Study was presented, which for the first time included all layers of cultural property and united them in one document, as material and immaterial property.
– In addition to working intensively on raising awareness of the importance of the Ulcinj olive grove, during this project we also had trainings, conducted surveys, published a manual, and our expert team was up to the task. For us, a very important aspect is the initiation of the study and analysis, which will prove what we have always thought – that the Ulcinj olive grove and Valdanos bay is one of the most spectacular areas in Montenegro from several aspects, not only from the natural and geographical. It is a spectrum of culture and tradition. I know that this is the first step towards activities that will surely prove that this area belongs to the World Heritage – emphasized Lika.
According to her, after today’s conference, she will reach conclusions that will be included in the Study, which will be printed by the end of the month.
– With that analysis, which is needed to start the initiative for the protection of the cultural landscape of the Ulcinj olive grove and Valdanos bay, we help the Culture Administration. It is not enough to just submit the initiative, it should also be explained, and our Study is written in detail on 170 pages. So I believe that the initiative will be accepted and then we will move on with the creation of a tentative list for UNESCO heritage – said Lika.
She points to the problem of construction in that area.
– We have the conversion of agricultural land into construction land and that is a fact. But it has to stop now. This is where the Government and local self-government must be a little stronger and more intense, louder and stricter. We cannot turn every inch of our land into eco-resorts or urban settlements – said Lika.
The first man of Ulcinj, Omer Bajraktari, agrees with this. He admits that the area is somewhat threatened, but he doesn’t think it’s alarming.
– This does not reduce our responsibility to dedicate ourselves to it even more. We formed a ranger service to be as close as possible to the problem. The construction is monitored by the state inspection, we are engaged in monitoring and I am sure that Valdanos will remain as it is, and it is a natural gem – said Bajraktari.
He states that Valdanos and the olive grove is a unique proctor and a true natural gem.
