Hrvatski
At its session yesterday, the Municipal Assembly of Bijelo Polje adopted a decision proclaiming part of the Ćehotina River a Natural Monument. With this act, another gem among Montenegro’s rivers has been placed under legal and institutional protection, bringing major benefits to Bijelo Polje and the country as a whole.
Rising below Mount Stožer and shaping the landscapes of Bijelo Polje and Pljevlja, the Ćehotina now holds the status of an area of special natural value. Within the territory of Bijelo Polje, 516 hectares of river and riparian zones are protected as the Ćehotina River Natural Monument, with an additional 528-hectare buffer zone established to prevent negative external impacts and ensure the river’s long-term conservation. The decision clearly defines zones of strict and sustainable protection, safeguarding biodiversity while allowing controlled resource use and the development of ecotourism.
“Proclaiming the Ćehotina a protected area proves our commitment to developing Bijelo Polje in harmony with nature. We are sending a message that conserving rivers and natural values is not an obstacle, but the basis for our municipality’s sustainable development. By protecting the Ćehotina, we also expand Montenegro’s network of protected areas, meeting the country’s EU accession obligations while building a platform to brand Montenegro as an ecological state,” said Petar Smolović, Mayor of Bijelo Polje.
The protection of the Ćehotina River is the result of years of work and partnership between local authorities and civil society. The NGO Eko-tim, in cooperation with The Nature Conservancy through the regional United for Rivers initiative, led efforts to launch the process and provide the scientific and expert basis for the decision.
“This moment shows that by working together, we can safeguard rivers that are vital for people, nature, and future generations. The Ćehotina symbolizes our organization’s work and our fight for clean, free-flowing rivers, and we are proud that it is now under durable protection,” said Milija Čabarkapa, Executive Director of Eko-tim.
Through United for Rivers, The Nature Conservancy supports local communities and organizations across the region in their efforts to protect rivers.
“Protecting the Ćehotina is a great example of how local communities and global partners can achieve big results together. Without close cooperation with communities and relevant institutions, durable river and nature protection is hard to sustain. With the new protected status, our engagement on the Ćehotina is further strengthened—we aim to support the site manager in preparing a management plan and building capacity in the period ahead,” said Igor Vejnović, Southeast Europe Program Director at The Nature Conservancy.
The designation confirms that Bijelo Polje is moving in step with European nature conservation standards and sends a clear message that development and protection can go hand in hand. The local community now has an opportunity to value its natural assets through sustainable models—from ecotourism to research and education—while preserving the Ćehotina River for future generations.