North Macedonia is set to create a new National Park, the largest in Europe, covering the Shar Mountains.
The Shar Mountain range covers some 240,000 hectares in North Macedonia, Albania, and Kosovo. The new National Park will include 25 out of a total of 37 glacial lakes. The other 12 lie in Kosovo.
The area is rich in biodiversity which includes 200 endemic plant species, 12 species of amphibians, 18 reptiles, 130 birds, 167 butterflies, and 45 mammals. In terms of mammals, that is around half of the total number of mammal species in the whole of North Macedonia.
Over the last 27 years, the Macedonian government has been trying to find a way to protect the Shar Mountains, and 62,000 hectares in particular, from a range of threats. These include free farming, hunting, and deforestation. The government said they’ve lost around 30,000 hectares over the years due to illegal logging.
Anela Stavrevska-Panajotova, from the International Union for Conservation of Nature, says the country is moving towards “a historic opportunity, after 60 years, to have a new national park, which is the missing piece for protected areas in the Balkans.”
“Together with other protected areas in other neighboring countries, we will have the largest transboundary protected area in all of Europe. And we are very proud about it!” she added.
Macedonia is working towards European Union targets which state they must protect at least 12% of their territory- to date, 9% is protected. With the creation of the new National Park, this will rise to more than 13%.
Business owners and politicians alike have welcomed the news saying that it will have long-term benefits for locals and future generations. It will allow the development of sustainable national resources and provide various activities such as hiking, biking, and skiing.
Support for the creation of the park will include aid from the State and tourism experts, fundraising specialists, and support for the creation of educational activities. The project aims for the park to become self-sustainable in the future.
The Kosovo section of the park is already protected, and there are talks for a cross-boundary park involving Albania, North Macedonia, and Kosovo.
Environmental NGO Euonatur raised concerns over the fact that the park’s plan in North Macedonia only includes the southernmost tip of the mountain range.
“If discussions were to stop here, it would be a farce because it would mean the very heart of the Sar Park would be left out.”
They are lobbying for a cross-boundary National Park with the support of the local population.
