Skip to main content

Protests against turning Montenegro pastures into NATO training site

By Rosamma Thomas* 

The Sinjajevina-Durmitor massif mountain range in Montenegro is recognized as the second-largest mountain pasture in Europe. A high limestone plateau, 1,600-2,200 metres above sea level, it has served traditional pastoral communities in the region for generations. Plans to develop a military training ground in its southeastern part have been stiffly resisted by local pastoral communities.
The natural and cultural heritage value of this region is recognized – it is at the heart of the protected Tara Biosphere Reserve, designated a World Heritage Site in 1980. The uniqueness of this area is not only its natural richness, but the traditional synergy that has developed between local communities, the animals in their care, and pastoralism practiced here over centuries. On July 4, 2022, however, Defence Minister Rasko Konjevic of Montenegro announced plans to prepare for new military exercises in Sinjajevina.
July 12 is a day of festivity in this region, when local people get together to observe St Peter’s Day. The Save Sinjajevina campaign has called for supporters of the petition to protect this area to join them from July 8-15, at a solidarity camp that will culminate with the submission of a petition to the Prime Minister, the Defence Minister and a delegation from the European Union, since Montenegro is in talks to join the EU.
The petition urges the government to desist from allowing a military facility at the site, especially since the prime minister had earlier promised to conserve the region. Remove the military training ground in a legally binding manner, the petition appeals, seeking that the area be conserved by local communities. Anthropologist Pablo Dominguez, who has conducted research in this area states that there are about 22,000 people who live in the lower reaches of these mountains; the highland pastures are used by about 250 pastoral families from eight different tribes.
In 2018, a partially EU-funded study had proposed that Sinjajevina be declared a regional park for the protection of the cultural and natural uniqueness of the site, and the enhancement of the local economy. Instead, in September 2019, the Montenegro government announced that a military training ground, over 10,000 hectares in size, would come up at the very heart of Sinjajevina. Even as shepherds with their flocks and civilians were still present in the area, a NATO training programme was conducted at what was termed the Regional Mountain Warfare Training Centre.
Local people protest that no assessment of the environment impact of such training in the area, the health or economic implications of the changed use of the land was made publicly available. Over 3,000 people came together to resist the militarization of the pastures, submitting a petition. Under law in Montenegro, this number of signatories to a petition would have been sufficient to ensure a debate in Parliament. Even so, the petition was ignored, and the public protests intensified.
Since Montenegro was engaged in the process of joining the EU, the matter was taken to the European Parliamentary Committee for Stabilization and Association of the European Union. Montenegro and EU officials then discussed the matter in camera, although the public, the press and external political actors were not allowed access to the proceedings. The Montenegro government was advised by the EU to undertake an independent study of this matter, and the EU also underlined the need for tackling climate change and preserving the cultural and pastoral traditions of local communities. Yet, the Montenegro government did not proceed to undertake any independent study.
Much like in India, there is a stark lack of trust in the electoral system in Montenegro, and the political opposition is weakened in Parliament as elected representatives, questioning the legitimacy of the system, have been boycotting Parliament.
The citizens wishing to conserve the pasture lands have been organizing, and groups of farmers, activists and politicians have rallied together to this cause. The information about the medicinal plants available here, and the other resources are being made available on social media, so that information about the risk posed to this unique ecology is more widely disseminated.
Even as a large quantity of explosives has been brought to the area, the protest continues. Activists and citizens are urging the EU to seek the removal of this training ground as a precondition for Montenegro’s EU membership.
---
*Freelance journalist

Comments

TRENDING

Global Ambedkarites in deep shock over killing of Buddhist Ambedkarite youth in Nanded

Joint  Ambedkar International Mission and Ambedkar Association of North America statement on killing of an Ambedkarite Buddhist youth for celebrating Dr Ambedkar Jayanti (birth anniversary) in his village on 1st June 2023 in Bondhar Haveli village, Nanded, Maharashtra: *** Every single public event hosted by any social or political organization in Maharashtra is not completed without citing Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar and yet an Ambedkarite Buddhist youth, Akshay Bhalerao was brutally murdered for celebrating Dr Ambedkar Jayanti in the village Bondhar, Nanded, Maharashtra by dominant caste goons. Caste Atrocities are common in such villages where the Scheduled Castes and Buddhists are daily humiliated, mocked, or abused with caste slurs and women subjected to sexual violence. 

How this top Maoist leader couldn't extricate completely from the Left adventurist line

By Harsh Thakor  On the 31st of May Katakam Sudarshan, known as Comrade Anand, breathed his last, at the age of 69. Anand was a member of the Politburo of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of India (Maoists) and an important leader of the revolutionary movement of India.

Discussion on making school education meaningful to vulnerable communities

ActionAid note on workshop to boost National Curriculum Framework operations: *** Leading educationists and activists striving to make education meaningful to vulnerable communities gathered in Delhi to discuss the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCFSE). Acting in response to the call of the NCF Steering Committee appointed by the Ministry of Education, Government of India, ActionAid Association had organised the meeting to gather feedback on the draft NCFSE. This is part of ActionAid Association’s commitment to promote inclusive and gender-responsive education. The two-day national workshop titled ‘NCF Perspectives: Seeking Feedback on National Curriculum Framework (NCF)’ on May 30 and 31, 2023, was held at India International Centre, New Delhi. The workshop aimed to ensure a structured approach to gathering feedback from key stakeholders and enhancing their active participation in shaping the response sought by the Government of India. Stakeholders representing e

Abrogation of Art 370: Increasing alienation, relentless repression, simmering conflict

One year after the abrogation by the Central Government of Art. 370 in Kashmir, what is the situation in the Valley. Have the promises of peace, normalcy and development been realised? What is the current status in the Valley? Here is a detailed note by the People’s Union for Civil Liberties , “Jammu & Kashmir: One Year after Abrogation of Art. 370: Increasing Alienation, Relentless Repression, Simmering Conflict”:

Release of dabang neta: Rule of law can't be allowed to be slave to political rhetoric

By Vidya Bhushan Rawat*  When we look to politicians for solutions and politics as the 'final solution' for every evil then we are disappointed most of the time. In politics, we knowingly or unknowingly become part of the propaganda tool of the ruling elite which exists everywhere across different castes. We often provide issues and talk about them in binaries which suit our elites. The minorities among the marginalised who have no political space and representation rarely get heard by these majoritarian parties whose agenda remain power communities. Every political party in today's time is following the 'successful' formula of 'democracy' which is keeping the 'powerful' 'jaatis' with them leaving aside the marginalised one. The BJP started this but yes they cobbled together all other communities too through a diverse narrative.

J&K RTI activist denied opportunity to address audience, bring forward critical issues

Statement by Er. Irfan Banka, Founder of J&K RTI Foundation and convener of the Nalae Ferozpora Bachav Movement, regarding the incident of official misconduct during the My Town My Pride Jan Abhiyan Program and communication to Raj Bhavan: *** Er. Irfan Banka, a prominent RTI Activist and advocate, has come forward to address an incident of misconduct that occurred during the My Town My Pride Jan Abhiyan Program held at Mugam Town Hall in  Budgam. Additionally, Er. Irfan Banka has communicated the matter to Raj Bhavan, seeking appropriate action. During the event, Er. Irfan Banka was denied the opportunity to address the audience and bring forward critical issues concerning the people and services in the community, including waste management, traffic management, and the achievement of sustainable development goals. The incident involved the Additional Registrar Co-operative Kashmir, who not only prevented Er. Irfan Banka from speaking but also subjected him to public humiliation. E

Why are 17 Indian cos, including Sterlite, blacklisted by Norway bank

By Venkatesh Nayak* Readers may recall the gory incidents that took place at Thoothukudi (Tuticorin) in Tamil Nadu in the southern part of India on 22 May, 2018. Thirteen protesters died on the spot when the police opened fire to disperse an assemblage of thousands of local residents and representatives of civil society groups. They were protesting against the adverse environmental impact of the industrial operations of Sterlite Copper which runs a copper smelter plant in the area. Accusations against the company have ranged from polluting local water resources to plans for expanding the installed capacity of the plant without the necessary environmental clearances. A ground report published in The Wire recently, mentions the decision taken by Norges Bank a few years ago to not invest funds from Norway’s Government Pension Fund Global (GPFG) in Sterlite “due to an unacceptable risk of complicity in current and future severe environmental damage and systematic human rights violations

Sengol imbroglio suggests reason why Modi, BJP don't respect modern Indian history

By Vidya Bhushan Rawat*  The new parliament building opened on February 28. It looks it is not the Parliament but part of #Pratinidhisabhas ' started by earstwhile #princelystates in India. The #BJP for long has been acting as if India is a #Kingdom and Modi ji the new #King of India. Even at the coronations of Kings, you find a large number of people, and dignitaries but look at the opening ceremony we have only one face as if he build everything. Is it the dream of a republic.

Danger ahead: Smartphones making teens sexually smart, but mentally disturbed

By Harasankar Adhikari  We live in a digitally globalised society. Bombarded consumerism and imitation of foreign cultures and practises reshape our everyday lives. Life choices and lifestyles are the driving forces of modernity at present. People of almost all ages are within this realm and rhythm of consumerism for happiness.

Cave of Spleen - a feminist perspective: Status of women in early 18th century England

The Cave of Spleen: Aubrey Beardsley's illustration for Pope's “The Rape of the Lock” By Pragya Ranjan  "The Rape of the Lock" by Alexander Pope published in 1712 is a mock-heroic narrative which satirically glorifies trivial incident of cutting of locks of protagonist Belinda. This poem was written in the Augustan Era (1660-1784) which is marked by the period of scientific reason and rationality, whose effect can be seen on the writers of those times. This timeline is particularly important to analyse the episode of the Cave of Spleen.