The first in a series of three open forums for the presentation of the results of studies on the state of natural resources in the border regions of Serbia-BiH was organized in Ljubovija on 4th February 2014. This study provides the basis for the development of the Action Plan for the sustainable management of natural resources in the municipalities covered by the project. On this occasion, were presented results of analysis of the situation and the pressures on natural resources for the municipality Ljubovija and Bratunac. The results were presented by experts and working group members who participated in the study, followed by a discussion present audience, which consisted of more than 30 representatives of local-government, public enterprises, NGO’s and citizens of both municipalities.
Second open forum was organized on February 6th 2014. in Zvornik when the results of the analysis of the situation and the pressure on natural resources in the area of the municipality of Zvornik and Mali Zvornik was presented in the presence of more than 40 concerned citizens who actively participated in the discussion and expressed environmental problems that exist in their local communities.
The project “Wise use of common natural resources – road to sustainability of the Serbia/BiH cross-border region”, in which local forumswere held, is implemented by Union of ecologists UNECO from Belgrade and Centre for Environmentally Sustainable Development from Sarajevo. The overall objective of the project is to contribute to the sustainable development of the cross-border region of Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina and that will be accomplished by encouraging cooperation in the integrated management of natural resources in the basin of the river Drina. This objective is in line with the policy of sustainable development advocated by the European Union, which is carrying the principle – the sustainable use of natural resources, located in the National Strategy for Sustainable Development of the Republic of Serbia and the National Environmental Action Plan of BiH. The strategic approach to planning the use and protection of natural resources, establish a balance between the two opposing activities here.
