The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Water Management, in collaboration with the Regional Fire Monitoring Center (RFMC), organized the 4th workshop of the landscape fire management (LFM) network in Montenegro. The 4th workshop was held in Podgorica on the 5th of March in the frame of the Landscape Fire Management in the Western Balkans (LFMWB) Programme, funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC).
Representatives from more than 15 institutions in the fields of science, practice, and policy participated by reviewing and offering feedback on both the Gap Analysis and the draft LFM Strategy. In introductory remarks, the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, and Water Management of Montenegro, Mr. Vladimir Joković, and the team leader of the LFMWB Programme, Mr.Cvetan Nikolovski, addressed the participants.
Regarding enhancing cooperation among Western Balkan countries, Minister Vladimir Joković stressed the importance of each country assessing its impact on climate change and landscape fires. He highlighted that with the Programme’s support, Montenegro has successfully established a national LFM network, actively engaging representatives from various institutions and civil society organizations.
During the workshop, a LFM Country Report for Montenegro was presented by Mr. Srdjan Sasic. In this regard Mr. Vladimir Joković emphasized that this report will contribute to a better understanding of the LFM in Montenegro, considering not only forests as the main ecosystem where fires occur but also the landscape involving all stakeholders.
Moreover, it was emphasized that the process of developing a Gap Analysis Report will be soon completed, which will be a crucial foundation for further steps in improving the efficiency and effectiveness of LFM.
The primary covered topics were related to the development of the LFM Strategy were the protective functions of landscapes, biodiversity conservation, and the impact of LFM on climate change. Furthermore, participants delved into the socioeconomic aspects of LFM, particularly its contribution to rural development, poverty alleviation, and community well-being.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Water Management of Montenegro, together with other members of the national LFM network, will continue working on developing the LFM Strategy to ensure the resilience of landscapes in Montenegro.
