Overview of Nature Protection Progress in Kosovo

Abstract

This paper presents an overview of progress in the area of nature conservation in the last decade in Kosovo.
Two very important laws were promulgated in 2012 about two national parks: Bjeshket e Nemuna and
Sharri National park. With this expansion, the protected area network that in 2003 was about 4.36 % of
the territory was increased to 10.9%, reaching a satisfactory degree of protected areas and increasing the
number of protected areas in a total of 116. While in terms of conservation of protected areas a significant
progress has been achieved, stagnation is seen in the conservation of rare and threatened species of flora
and fauna. Although envisaged by legislation, the Red List of Kosovo of rare and threatened species has
not been adopted yet. Also, there is a small progress in the implementation of practical conservation and
management measures contained in the legislation.

Full text

*Corresponding author: zeqir.veselaj@uni-pr.edu
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Page 1
RESEARCH ARTICLE
LANDSCAPE ONLINE 45:1-10 (2015), DOI 10.3097/LO.201545
Zeqir Veselaj*1, Behxhet Mustafa2
1 Faculty of Education, University of Prishtina “Hasan Prishtina”; Address: Str. Agim Ramadani n.n. 10000, Prishtina
2 Faculty of Mathematical and Natural Sciences, University of Prishtina “Hasan Prishtina”; Address: Str. Mother Teresa n.n.
10000, Prishtina
Abstract
This paper presents an overview of progress in the area of nature conservation in the last decade in Kosovo.
Two very important laws were promulgated in 2012 about two national parks: Bjeshket e Nemuna and
Sharri National park. With this expansion, the protected area network that in 2003 was about 4.36 % of
the territory was increased to 10.9%, reaching a satisfactory degree of protected areas and increasing the
number of protected areas in a total of 116. While in terms of conservation of protected areas a significant
progress has been achieved, stagnation is seen in the conservation of rare and threatened species of flora
and fauna. Although envisaged by legislation, the Red List of Kosovo of rare and threatened species has
not been adopted yet. Also, there is a small progress in the implementation of practical conservation and
management measures contained in the legislation.
Keywords:
biodiversity, conservation, protected areas, legislation, environment
Submitted: 10 May 2015 / Accepted in revised form: 05 December 2015 / Published: 28 December 2015
Overview of Nature Protecon Progress in Kosovo

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1 Introduction
Kosovo within its small territory is rich in high
natural values. Conservation of the natural areas
in Kosovo through the network of protected areas
was initially regulated in the late 1950s with the
designation of the first nature reserves such are:
Kozhnjeri (1955), Rusenica (1955), Gubavci (1959)
etc. (Veselaj & Mustafa 2009). More developments in
this respect were made in the second half of 1980s,
respectively, in 1986, when after the complete
scientific assessment of feasibility from biodiversity
and other natural values; the Law on the “Sharr
Mountains” national park was adopted. In 1988 was
approved the Law for the preservation of natural
and manmade environments in Kosovo. However,
major developments have occurred in the postwar
period (after year 1999), and particularly after 2003
when the first institutions of self-government were
established and the Law on environmental protection
and other relevant legislation was adopted (Mustafa
et al. 2013).
2 Materials and Methods
This study aims to present an overview of
qualitative and quantitative extension of
protected area networks in the Republic of Kosovo
in the decade from 2003 to 2013. It also provides
concrete conservation measures undertaken up
to now for better and effective conservation of
protected areas. Authors analyzed laws in the field of
nature conservation and biodiversity approved in the
last decade from the Kosovo Official Journal (https://
gzk.rks-gov.net/). Nature protection legislation that
is consulted for the purpose of presenting progress
in the field on nature protection in Kosovo covered:
- Law on nature protection Nr. 2005/02-L18,
- Law on nature protection Nr. 2010/03-L-233,
- Law on national park “Bjeshket e Nemuna”.
Nr. 2011/04-L-086,
- Law on national park “Sharri” Nr. 2011/04-L-087.
This study also included a dozens of field work visits
done by group of experts throughout the network
of protected areas implemented by Institute of
Nature Protection of Kosovo, as a key institution in
charge of monitoring of protected areas network.
These reports are published in the periodic Institute
reports of state of nature in Kosovo:
- Values of natural heritage in Kosovo,
- Report on state of protected areas in Kosovo
2006-2007 and the
- Report of the state of nature in Kosovo 2010-2014.
Results on species biodiversity included the data`s
from professional reports for designation national
parks, as well the spatial plan zoning projects of
both national parks: for the “Sharri” national park
during 2006-2008 adopted in 2013 (Spatial Plan of
national park “Sharri” 2013) and for the “Bjeshket
e Nemuna” national park during years 2013-14 (still
in process).
3 Results
First provisions about the nature conservation
are initially set in the Law on Environmental
Protection (Law Nr. 09/2003), which dedicates a
special chapter to the nature protection issues
covering nature protected areas and biodiversity
conservation. However, this law enabled approval of
the regulation on „nature conservation, sustainable
use of natural values, classification of areas with
special international categories, procedures of
conservation, protection of rare and endangered
species of flora and fauna, protection categories,
protected areas management, public participation
in decision-making on the nature and professional
supervision of areas with specific natural values“,
which will be regulated by a special law. Furthermore,
the Institute of Nature Protection operating under
the authority of the Kosovo Environmental Protection
Agency is designated as a key nature conservation
professional institution in Kosovo.

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The first Law of nature protection (Law on nature
protection 2005) was adopted in 2005 aiming to
regulate „the system of the nature conservation in
the territory of Kosovo“ and „special protection of
the natural values determined by this law that are of
interest for Kosovo“. This law has had 13 chapters and
47 articles covering: main principles of environmental
protection (i.e. principle of sustainability, principle
of cooperation, user pays principle, principle of
integration, etc.), main policy documents for nature
conservation (i.e. the Strategy and Action Plan for
the Nature Conservation, which is to be approved
by the Assembly of Kosovo), and programs of nature
conservation adopted by municipalities.
The administrative duties in the field of nature
conservation are carried out by the Ministry
of Environment and Spatial Planning and
municipalities, while the professional work in this
sector is a responsibility of the Kosovo Institute
of Nature Protection. General measures for the
nature conservation will be implemented through a
landscape protection and conservation of flora and
fauna species.
Categorization of nature protected areas is primarily
based on categories provided by the International
Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) following
procedures for the designation of protected areas
and their management.
In 2010, the Assembly of Kosovo adopted the new
Law on Nature Protection (Law on nature protection
2010), which was more detailed than the first one
containing 15 chapters and 177 articles. Guiding
principles of the law remain more or less those of
the 2005 law, as well as regulatory documents and
institutions responsible for nature conservation in
Kosovo.
From Table 1 we can see that there is a difference
between the 2005 law, where the protected areas
were strictly complied with the IUCN categories
(Dudley 2008), and the 2010 law that includes other
categories than IUCN ones such as: natural parks,
the particular areas of conservation, the monument
of park architecture. These categories, according
to their degree of importance, are classified into:
international, national and local values. This
classification should be done based on administrative
directives, which have not been approved yet.
Chapter 3 provides the procedures and institutions
responsible for the designation of protected nature
in Kosovo given in the Table 2.
According to the law, the relevant directorates
govern with the natural protected areas. Directorates
for management of national parks, natural parks,
natural monuments of special importance are
established by the Ministry of Environment with
a special decree, while for all other categories of
protected areas these directorates are established
by municipalities. Conditions for issuing construction
permits, implementation of works and interventions
Table 1. Categories of protected areas in 2005 and 2010 legislation
Categories of PA-s in the Law of 2010
(Law on nature protection Nr. 2010/03-L-233)
1.Strict nature reserve
2.National park
3.Natural monument;
4.Management areas of habitat or species;
5.Protected landscapes;
6.The protected area of natural resources.
1.Strict nature reserve;
2.National park;
3.Particular area of conservation;
4.Natural monument;
5.Monument of nature of particular importance
6. Protected landscape;
7.Monument of park architecture
8.Natural park
Categories of PA-s in Law of 2005
(Law on nature protection Nr. 2005/02-L18)

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in the territory of national parks, special protected
areas, nature parks, and monuments of nature are
issued only if the construction of buildings is within
the spatial plan of the protected area and if the
environmental impact assessment procedures are
completed. Municipalities are responsible for issuing
construction location permits for construction and
interventions in the territory of protected landscape
and architecture monument marks.
A number of administrative acts (administrative
instructions and decisions) have derived from
the Law on nature protection to ensure proper
implementation of it. From 21 sub-legal acts to be
adopted by the Law on nature protection, up to now
only 13 of them are issued (more than half of them).
In the European Commission progress reports,
prepared yearly for Kosovo since 2008, a limited
progress in the field of nature protection is reported,
especially in relation to its compliance with the Birds
and Habitat Directives (Veselaj et al. 2012).
Advantages of the 2010 law can be noticed in the
following points: it is more detailed in its scope, it
is more referred to the EU directives (Birds and
Habitat) as well as Natura 2000 aims, provides
broader conservation national categories besides
IUCN ones, more competencies are given to local
level on designation and management of some
categories etc. (Law on nature protection 2010)
In December 2012, after more than four decades
of intensive work, the Law on the National Park
„Bjeshket e Nemuna“ (Law on national park
“Bjeshket e Nemuna” 2011) was adopted with the
justification as „territory with high natural values and
natural rarities, with a large number of important
forest ecosystems and other conserved ecosystems,
with high number of endemic and relict species, rich
with geomorphologic, hydrological and landscape
features, that have important scientific, education,
cultural-historical and tourist-recreational activities
that will contribute to economic development
following ecological criteria“ (Veselaj et al. 2013).
National park area is about 62.488 ha and lies on
the western and north-western territory of Kosovo,
respectively in the territory of five municipalities:
Gjakova, Junik, Decan, Peja and Istog. In biodiversity
terms “Bjeshket e Nemuna” is characterized by high
floristic values (Law on national park “Bjeshket e
Nemuna” 2011). There are 1,611 taxa`s (species and
sub-species), 435 genera, 105 families, 50 orders
and 6 classes (Veselaj Z. 2010, Mustafa et al. 2011).
According to the researches, in the highest peaks of
“Bjeshket e Nemuna” such as Gjeravica, Lumbardhi
Mountains, Guri i Kuq, Koprivnik, Liqenat are found
255 Balkan endemic species and subspecies. From
the plant species of “Bjeshket e Nemuna”, 19 taxa`s
are included in the IUCN Red List of Threatened
Plants of 1997 (Veselaj 2010, Veselaj et al. 2004).
Fauna of “Bjeshket e Nemuna” national park
contains: 8 species of fish, 13 species of amphibians,
10 species of reptiles, 148 species of birds, 37
species of mammals and 129 butterfly species from
the order Lepidoptera, which make the region as
one of the richest in Europe, and it`s identified as
Primary Butterfly Area (Jaksic 1988, MESP 2015).
According to the latest data, it is expected to have
over 200 species of birds, and because of this high
diversity and migratory routes passing through
Table 2. Categories of designation of protected areas according to existing legislation
Institution Parliament
(Law): Government Decree: Municipal Assembly
Decision:
Category National park
Strict nature reserve;
Particular areas of
conservation;
Natural park;
Monument of nature of
particular importance.
Natural monument,
Protected landscape;
Monument of park
architecture,

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the area, “Bjeshket e Nemuna” are identified as
IBA (Important Bird Areas IBA) regions (Mustafa
et al. 2009). The Spatial Plan is currently being
developed for the “Bjeshket e Nemuna” national
park respectively zoning of the conservation
zones 1, 2 and 3 (Law on nature protection 2010).
Conservation zone 1 (strict protection) includes
parts of the territory of the national park with
exceptional natural features, with rare species,
endangered plants and animals and habitat types
in the wild conditions. This zone is strict protection.
Conservation zone 2 (active management) includes
parts of the territory of national park characterized
by ecosystems, landscape and other values which can
be exercised through nature ecotourism, traditional
agriculture and activities that are inconsistent with
the purposes of protection. Conservation zone 3
(sustainable use) includes parts of the national park
planned for: tourism and recreation, construction,
reconstruction, needs of residents in the territory
and the use of pastures and economic use of natural
resources under the Law on Nature Protection and
in accordance with the spatial plan of the national
park. Zoning of the national park is proposed by a
group of 20 university professors and experts during
2013-2014 (MESP 2015). Management of national
parks is based on the national park’s Spatial Plan and
specific National Park Development Plan national
parks as required by the article 81 and 82 of the
Law on Nature Protection Law on nature protection
2010.
The 1986 Law on national park „Sharr Mountain“
in December 2012 was replaced by a new law on
national park „Sharri“ (Law on national park “Bjeshket
e Nemuna” 2011), which extends protected areas
from 39,000 ha as it was in the previous law, to 53,469
ha with the description „territory with natural values
and rarities, preserved forests, the high number of
important forest and other ecosystems, with high
number of endemic and relics species, with rich
geomorphologic, hydrological features, and with
scientific, cultural, historic, landscapes, sports,
tourism and recreation and activities that contribute
to economic development with ecological criteria“.
The territory of “Sharri” national park lies in south of
Figure 1. Mirusha Waterfalls- one of the most beautiful protected site network in
Kosovo

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Kosovo in the territory of five municipalities: Kacanik,
Shtërpce, Suhareka, Prizren and Dragash (Mustafa
et al. 2013, Spatial Plan of national park “Sharri”
2013). The “Sharri” national park is characterized
by high biodiversity values with about 1500 species
of vascular flora. Marking elements of the “Sharri”
national park are: 77 plant species with international
significance, 26 species included in the European
Red List and 32 species included in the IUCN Plant
Red List. Also, the area is rich in vegetation, with
314 vegetation units including 180 associations, 16
sub associations, 59 alliances, 7 sub alliances, 32
orders and 20 classes, which have been registered
till nowadays (Enti Krahinor për Mbrojtjen e Natyrës
1982, Mustafa et al. 2013). Fauna of the park consists
of 147 species of butterflies, 7 species of fish, 9
species of amphibians, 10 species of reptiles, 154
species of birds and 30 species of mammals (Amidzic
& Ostojic 2006, Mustafa et al. 2013).
Due to these values, both national parks have been
identified as Important Plant Areas (IPA) and regional
Important Bird Areas (IBA’s) as well as primary
butterfly’s areas (PBA) (Mustafa et al. 2011, Mustafa
et al. 2009, Spatial Plan of National Park 2013).
With a special decree, in 2012, one of the most
beautiful and attractive natural areas of Kosovo,
“Mirusha Waterfalls” changed the category
of protection for the purpose of advancing its
conservation and management.
4 Discussion
With these developments, a significant increase
in the number of protected areas in Kosovo has
occurred. The overall protected area at a country
level is provided in Table 3. Table 3 shows the
increase of protected area surface of Kosovo from
4.26 % in 2003 (MESP 2005, 2008), to 10.9% of
country’s territory in 2013 (MESP 2015).
Although the number and the surface of protected
areas has been increased by legislative developments,
progress in establishment of management bodies
for the main protected areas is moving very slowly,
and this is reflected in the poor management and
protection. National parks are run by respective
directorates, under the competencies of the Ministry
of Environment and Spatial Planning. Directory
of “Sharri” national park has a more consolidated
structure, while Directory of national park “Bjeshket
e Nemuna” is in its initial stage of operation (MESP
2015).
Regional Park of Germia is under management
of the municipal company „Horticulture“ whose
main responsibility is to maintain green spaces in
Prishtina, the capital city. Marble Cave of Gadime
so far has had a type of “private” management,
but without legal basis for privatization. In 2011, a
governmental decree was adopted to protect the
Type
IUCN
category
Nr. of PAs
2003
Nr. of PAs
2013
Area in
ha 2003
% of PA-s
in 2003
Area in
ha 2013
% of PA-s
in 2013
Nature reserves I 11 11 847 1.8 847 0.7
National parks II 1 2 39,000 84.1 115,957 97.0
Natural monuments
III
38
99
4,867
10.5
1,507
1.2
Protected
landscapes V 2 3 1,683 3.6 1,320 1.1
Total 52 116 46,397 100 118,913 100
Table 3. Progress of protected areas network during the period 2003-2013

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cave as Natural Monument of Particular Importance
in order to improve its management (MESP 2015).
This came after much degradation caused as a result
of in-proper management: changes of microclimate,
damages of crystals, changes in flora species that are
characteristics of caves, etc. In September 2012, the
cave was closed by environmental inspectorate in
order to finish the process of establishing an effective
management body of the Ministry of Environment
and Spatial Planning.
Even the progress of expansion of protected areas
are significant, the positive changes on the ground
are still very small. So far, Bifurcation of Nerodime
River, being the second such case in the world, as
a result of degradation by human factor, has lost
the vital function for which has been protected as a
special natural reserves (Veselaj & Mustafa 2009) .
There are also evident and visible cases of degradation
in the territory of national parks such as: illegal
constructions, legal and illegal forests lodging, forest
fires, wild animal shootings etc. Constructions in the
protected areas and particularly in national parks
are not following any of legal rules. One of the worst
examples is the degradation of the natural reserve
of Bosnian pine (Pinus heildreichii) for construction
purposes in the Prevalla touristic village near Prizren
(Veselaj et al. 2012).
Even wild species of flora and fauna are facing
tremendous pressure, including those in habitats
of national parks. In March 2012, media reported
of a „mysterious hunting action“ followed by mass
shootings of animals in the area Decani region,
belonging to “Bjeshket e Nemuna” national park,
where over 100 bodies of deer, wild goats, and wild
boars were found shot and killed (Veselaj et al. 2013).
Category (IUCN Category)
Type of PA-s
Number
Strict Nature reserves (Cat. I)
Strict Nature Reserves
11
Botanical reserve 7
Fauna species reserve
2
Hydrologic reserve 1
Geological reserve
1
National Parks ( Cat. II)
Natural parks
2
Natural monuments (Cat. III)
Natural monuments 99
Botanical monuments 66
Hydrological monuments 17
Speleological monuments
9
Geomorphologic monuments 7
Protected landscapes (Cat. V)
Protected landscapes 4
Natural park
1
Protected landscapes 2
Special area for birds
1
Table. 4 Protected areas network in Kosovo

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Figure 2. Map of protected areas network in Kosovo (Source: Kosovo Environmental Protection Agency)

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5 Conclusions
Based on the presented results it is seen that there
is progress in terms of increasing the surface area
and number of protected natural areas in Kosovo in
the last decade. The number of protected areas is
increased from 52 in 2003 to 116 in 2013 while the
surface of protected areas from 46.397 ha in 2003 to
118,913 ha in 2013 or expressed in percentage from
4.27 % in 2003 to 10.9 % of the territory in 2013.
There is slow progress in terms of practical
regulation implementing the law through secondary
legislation. From 23 by-laws that arise from the
nature conservation legislation, until July 2013, only
13 regulations or 62% of secondary legislation is
adopted.
Apart from the” Sharri” national park that has a
spatial plan prepared, all other protected areas are
without spatial plan and other management plans.
For national parks as a special area of interest,
under the current legislation, specific spatial plans
must be harmonized with the Spatial Plan of Kosovo.
Spatial Plan for the “Sharri” national park is already
approved while the plan for the national park
“Bjeshket e Nemuna” is in process of development.
There is a lack of management institutions for
protected areas. Only four of the designated
protected areas currently have established their
management institutions: two national parks, a
regional park “Gërmia” and Marble Cave of Gadime,
but all of them with very limited human capacities
and financial resources.
A change of the situation on the ground, compared
with legislative progress, is very slow. In this respect,
there are limited developments especially in the
protection of rare and endangered species living in
Kosovo, which, in many cases have been brought to
the brink of extinction, as is the case with the lynx
(Lynx lynx), golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) etc.
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