A haven of stunning landscapes, rich biodiversity, and cultural heritage, the Durmitor National Park in Northern Montenegro stands out as one of Europe鈥檚 most breathtaking natural landscapes.
Located in the Dinaric Alps and the expansive Tara River Basin Biosphere Reserve, the region鈥檚 alpine meadows and forests are home to more than 1,600 plant species, including rare European Black Pines that have stood for over 400 years, reaching heights of above 50 metres. The scenic peaks towering over some of Europe's deepest gorges, and below 18 glacial lakes locally known as 鈥榤ountain eyes鈥, account for more than 59.5% of the nation's territory. The ancient forests provide the foundation of Montenegro鈥檚 natural landscape and breathe life into the country, supporting local economies and sustainable development.
In recent years, the increasing number of forest fires has posed a serious threat to these vital ecosystems. Often sparked by locals trying to promote forest fruit production, fires are exacerbated by climatic conditions, and have particularly impacted the Durmitor National Park. Its rugged and inaccessible terrain causes fires to quickly become uncontrollable, leading to widespread damage to precious habitats and numerous endangered species.
The PENPMNE initiative: engaging local rangers and eager students
For the last 14 years, Bjanka Praklja膷i膰 has been committed to nature and species conservation projects. As an expert consultant for international cooperation, she dedicates energy to nature conservation efforts through projects for the national parks of Montenegro.
Specifically, the Public Enterprise for National Parks of Montenegro (PENPMNE) is implementing conservation action within the 3-year partnership between UNESCO and the abrdn Charitable Foundation, focused on promoting sustainable development through UNESCO鈥檚 programmes and sites. The project 鈥淩educing occurrence of forest fires in National Park Durmitor and Tara River Basin鈥 puts forward solutions to reduce the occurrence of forest fires in the area, with a particular focus on research and monitoring for the prevention of fire risks, education for disaster risks reduction, and community engagement.
By harnessing cutting-edge technology, the team is developing an early warning system, that utilises the satellite Fire Information for Resource Management System (FIRMS) and thermal drones to scan the vast, rugged terrain and detect fires before they can spread. Local rangers and eager students have received training in the operation of these systems, and the FIRMS satellite is already proving its worth, having contributed to the notification of a forest fire last June.
Concurrently, the project seeks to involve the community, and the youth. It educates local children on the harmful effects of repeated burning practices of natural resources, equipping them with the knowledge to safeguard their environment and shape a sustainable future for themselves and their communities. 鈥In collaboration with local schools and Montenegro鈥檚 Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation, the PENPMNE team effectively engaged 305 students aged 8 to 12 from around the Durmitor National Park and Tara River Canyon,鈥 remarks Bjanka.
Through classroom activities and excursions to protected sites, the children from 9 local schools discovered the cultural and natural significance of the National Park and learnt about the importance of preserving natural habitats, conserving biodiversity, and sustainable practices. Such participation is a testament to the team鈥檚 commitment to ensuring that the project is as inclusive as possible. The project鈥檚 educational activities garnered positive feedback from students and teachers alike, who were keen to share their discoveries and repeat such events in the future.
We established effective communication networks with local stakeholders as the baseline of the project鈥檚 work. While the team faced challenges when reaching out to smaller schools, they persevered, enabling participation to all students, including those from disadvantaged and overlooked backgrounds.
Educating the next generation in the 鈥榮tory of nature鈥
Playing a crucial role in the educational outreach programme is Montenegrin artist Nikica Rai膷evi膰. Known for his work dedicated to nature protection, Nikica crafted a series of 5 paintings depicting the 鈥榮tory of nature鈥, illustrating the stages of transition from the thriving forest ecosystem to the destructive impacts of the fires. These visuals, featuring familiar local flora and fauna, and an educational narrative resonated with the children, making the lessons more enjoyable and ultimately memorable.
After the educational activities, the children took part in quizzes to review their knowledge and identify any remaining gaps. The students were then awarded a set of posters, encapsulating Nikica鈥檚 鈥榮tory of nature鈥 as a reminder of what they had learnt. 鈥淭he children were so excited, it was something new to them and the educators did a wonderful job,鈥 Bjanka鈥檚 eyes light up as she shares their enthusiasm. 鈥They discussed the natural areas that the children are familiar with; they combined the lessons of the project with local legends, achievements from local people, and considered the international importance of the area,鈥 she keeps on with a smile. The students took great pride in discovering things about where they were born and raised.
Reflecting on the success of the educational programme, Nikica heeds that, 鈥渙ur energy is boosted, fuelling us towards new projects as proud protectors of a nature, that is increasingly exposed to destruction.鈥 The artist is currently producing videos to help local schools continue with the essential work started by the project, that of inspiring, informing, and empowering youth to protect their nature.
To replicate the education to future generations of pupils, posters will be distributed to schools and kindergartens. The project鈥檚 outcomes and interviews with participants will be aired on local television, further amplifying the positive impact of the educational programme.
I am gratified as how the matter was presented and explained to children through my illustrations. The creators of the educational part of the project have made understandable the idea that we need to educate ourselves and fight for every blade of grass.
In the words of Rai膷evi膰, the initiative at Durmitor National Park underscores the transformative power of education and community engagement in safeguarding our natural resources, on which all life depends.
By pioneering innovative solutions and empowering local children with vital knowledge about forest conservation and the devastating impact of wildfires, the project nurtures a generation of environmental stewards and also strengthens the bonds between communities and their ecological heritage. This is central to the UNESCO and abrdn Charitable Foundation partnership, in their endeavour to foster sustainable practices and climate neutrality across Europe.
