Community Meetings in Zhirovnica for Cross-border Cooperation with Rabdishti and Maqellare Area within the PONT-funded Project

"Protected areas for the community" is the primary objective of proper management of these territories. With decades of experience since 1948 when Mavrovo National Park was established, there have been many achievements and professional developments, and contact and communication with the community have been considered a key link in Park management. Zhirovnica is one of the largest villages in this Park, at the foot of Mount Velivar. The residents of this village today have become a minority, as most have migrated for work, but those who remain have much to share about their experiences, as well as the challenges and concerns in managing natural resources. They are proud of the natural beauty, the rare tea of Zhirovnica, and the way they themselves as a village protect natural resources, how they organize fire protection, and how they protested against the construction of hydroelectric power plants in their village. They also speak about strict rules for firewood, construction, waste management, and the village's traditional "itifak" to protect and care for the parts of the park in their village. The project staff in these meetings also expanded the scope of discussion on cross-border cooperation, and on the possibilities and experiences of cooperation between Zhirovnica and Rabdishti and the villages of Melani or Maqellare in Albania, especially regarding tourist trails, protection from illegal interventions, illegal hunting, and medicinal plants. Another meeting was also held with residents from the village of Jance, and these meetings will continue with other residents from the villages of Mavrovo and Rostushe. This activity was organized within the framework of the project "Protection and sustainable use of protected areas in Shar Mountain, Mavrovo and Korab-Koritnik", financed by the Prespa Ohrid Nature Trust - PONT program, with project implementers ALCDF Foundation and partners CSCD and LAG Dibra Tourism.