*[Enwl-eng] Luxury hotels to replace bird refuge?
ENWL
This petition was launched on our YouMove platform by EuroNatur Foundation, BirdLife International, CZIP and MSJA. We think you might be interested in it.
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Migrating between Africa and Europe, flamingos and pelicans find rest in a beautiful wetland in Montenegro. Now, the entire area might be turned into a luxury tourist resort. So where will the birds stay? Call on the government of Montenegro to stop this project! |
Hi,
Flamingos and Dalmatian Pelicans, some of Europe’s most majestic water birds find refuge on their yearly journey between Africa and Europe in a beautiful wetland in Montenegro. Now, this area might be covered with concrete and turned into a luxury tourist resort. [1]
Birds do not know borders. What happens in Montenegro will affect the ecosystems of distant regions in Europe and Africa where Flamingos and Pelicans dwell over the year.
But the country’s authorities have the power to stop this project. Montenegro is an EU-candidate country and tens of thousands of people are on the streets protesting the corrupt practices of the current government. [3] The situation is right for the Prime Minister to be swayed by massive pressure from people from all around Europe who care about the nature of our common continent. Together, we can be that massive pressure.
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The Ulcinj Salina is a vast former salt works where for nearly a century salt was produced in a nature-friendly way. [2] It has offered birds a rich habitat and safe place to nest and raise their offspring. Recently, the salt harvest stopped and the new owner is attempting to build a luxury resort on this valuable hotspot of biodiversity.
Soon, Montenegrin Prime Minister Duško Marković will attend a major international conference, where the activists trying to save the site, will address him. They will urge him not to let the developers build hotels - and even a marina! - on the wetland, but instead to ensure that Salina stays a thriving habitat for thousands of birds.
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Ulcinj Salina is a 1,500 hectare salt works in southern Montenegro, close to the Adriatic coast. It is the most important resting, wintering and breeding site for many species of waterbirds along the Adriatic Flyway. [4] More than 250 different species rely on the salina each year, including Great Flamingos, Black-winged Stilts and Dalmatian Pelicans which come to feed in its shallow waters. [5]
Our community has shown many times – for example in the campaign to save the gorge of the Kresna river in Bulgaria - that we can mobilise to protect unique natural sites in all corners of Europe. Let’s do it again – sign the petition for the birds!
In the name of European wildlife,
Marta (Warsaw), Olga
(Bolonia), Fatima (London) and the entire WeMove team
PS Salt production in Ulcinj Salina was privatized in a non-transparent process in 2005. Since then, the Salina has been deliberately run-down by its operator who claims that they purchased not only the concession to harvest salt, but the land itself. Now, they try to sell it for millions of Euros. Yet, it remains unclear who actually owns Ulcinj Salina. [6] The authorities must put safeguards in place so that Ulcinj Salina remains the property of the people and is managed in the best interest of the nature. Sign!
References:
[1]
https://www.birdlife.org/europe-and-central-asia/news/save-salina-hotel-complex-threatens-waterbird-paradise
[2]
https://savesalina.net/for-salt/
[3]
https://www.politico.eu/article/montenegro-needs-overhaul-not-reshuffle-milo-dukanovic/
[4]
https://www.euronatur.org/en/what-we-do/endangered-species/migratory-birds/campaign-on-bird-hunting/adriatic-flyway/
[5]
https://balkangreenenergynews.com/ulcinj-salina-a-birds-airport/
[6]
https://savesalina.net/the-story/
http://thebalkanista.com/2018/10/28/save-ulcinj-salina-from-corruption-and-development/
You Move Europe is an online action platform dedicated to help making Europe a more democratic, environmentally and socially just place. You Move Europe puts power in your hands. If you have an idea to make Europe a better place, You Move Europe helps you make it a reality. Petitions on this platform are started and run by civil society groups and members of the public. WeMove.EU hosts these petitions and they are in line with our values but they are not necessarily endorsed by WeMove.EU.
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