Country Report on MAB Programme: Republic of Serbia

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Country Report on MAB Programme: Republic of Serbia 30th Session of the International Coordinating Council (ICC) of the Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme, Palembang, South Sumatra Province, 23-28 July 2018

The MAB National Committee of Serbia is established within Serbian Commission for Cooperation with UNESCO. The Committee is affiliated to the Ministry of Environmental Protection; the presidency is held by Assistant Minister for the nature protection and climate change and facilitated by the Department for Protected Areas, Geodiversity and Ecological Network. By the appointment of the new members, which is currently in progress, the Committee will involve experts and high level representatives from relevant institutes, agencies, academic institutions, government, NGO and civil society organizations. One of the main tasks of the Committee is to elaborate on the effectiveness of biosphere reserve governance and management.

Biosphere Reserves “Golija-Studenica” (2001) and “Backo Podunavlje” (2017) have been designated in Serbia thus far, as areas for the promotion and demonstration of the balanced relationship between man and nature. These biosphere reserves, located in northwestern and southwestern parts of the country, have been managed side by side with existing protected areas.

Concerning reporting on activities in the national MAB sites, the Biosphere Reserve “Backo Podunavlje” is administered by the Institute for Nature Conservation of Vojvodina Province. The reports on the last year activities in the Biosphere Reserve “Golija Studenica” were prepared by the Institute for Nature Protection of Serbia and by MAB manager – State Enterprise for Forest Management “Srbijasume”.

Report on activities of the Institute for Nature Conservation of Vojvodina Province on administrative coordination of Backo podunavlje Biosphere Reserve between June 14th 2017 and June 14th 2018

From the day of inscription of Backo Podunavlje Biosphere Reserve (BPBR) to the World List of Biosphere Reserves, 14 June 2017, until nowadays, the Institute for Nature Conservation of Vojvodina Province has implemented/executed following activities regarded to administrative coordination, in line with the Statutory Framework of Biosphere Reserves, Declaration of Seville and Lima Action Plan and in cooperation with local sectors and stakeholders, as well as WWF:

1. Promotion and education

National promotion of BPBR was held in Sombor on 14 July 2017 with participation of Goran Trivan, minister of environmental protection of Republic of Serbia, Vladimir Galic, provincial secretary of urban planning and environmental protection of Autonomous Province of Vojvodina, Duska Dimovic, director of WWF Office in Belgrade, Jasmina Tatarac, secretary of Commission of Republic of Serbia for cooperation with UNESCO and various stakeholders. Presentation of BPBR was held in a meeting in Boyromi, Georgia, on 7 October 2017, convening representatives of Caucasus countries in their strives to establish transboundary biosphere reserve. Presentation on BPBR was held during the days of European Heritage in Bac on 23 September 2017, when BPBR diploma was delivered to local authorities in five municipalities where BR is situated, as well as to managers of protected areas.

Representative of the Institute Sara Pavkov has participated at MAB Youth Forum from 18 to 22 September 2017 together with 282 young delegates from over 143 biosphere reserves and 85 countries gathered in Italy in Po Delta Biosphere Reserve. On the first forum BPBR was presented. Representative of the Institute for Nature Conservation of Vojvodina Province Marko Tucakov, nomination coordinator, has participated to International Academy of Sustainable Development in UNESCO designations in Turin, Italy, from 9 to 13 October 2017, when BPBR was presented.

BPBR was presented in a regional WWF meeting in Sombor on 26 February 2018 by representatives of the Institute for Nature Conservation of Vojvodina Provinc: Marko Tucakov, Sara Pavkov and Jovana Zaklan.

In one-year period, especially immediately after the designation of BPRB, many reports, news and other releases were published in Serbian media thematising BR and its designation. Total number of articles in electronic media was over 80.

2. Coordination and management

Institute for Nature Conservation of Vojvodina Province, as administrative coordinator of BPBR, has invited representatives of municipalities and protected area managers to delegate members which will represent them to Coordination Council of BPBR. After collection of answers, Institute for Nature Conservation of Vojvodina Province has convened the first preparational meeting of Coordination Council of Biosphere Reserve on 24 Juanary 2018. Meeting was attended by representatives of municipalities Backa Palanka and Apatin, managers of protected areas Karadjordjevo, Tikvara, Gornje Podunavlje, Junakovic Forest Bukinski Hrastik, as well representatives of civil sector and sector of culture. Model of structure of coordination council was presented. Following common aspects were noted, which are in line with three functions of biosphere reserve: 1. Nature conservation through biodiversity conservation, revalorization of values, improvement of area through function of protection, development of integral water management; 2. Sustainable development through development of rural tourism, branding of products, increase of standard of living of local community, implementation of projects and assuring of funds for implementation of innovative and sustainable solutions and 3. Logistical support through education and workshops, organizing of network of educational centres, cross border networking and well as local sectoral networking, creation of unique data basis, exchange of knowledge between neighbouring communities.

3. International projects

CoopMDD (full name: Transboundary Management Programme for the Planned 5-country Biosphere Reserve Mura-Drava-Danube), a 36 month-project co-financed by EU through Interreg Danube Transnational IPA, was initiated prior to designation of BPBR and is still lasting. The goal

2 of this project is to harmonize practices of nature management of 12 protected areas which are situated in five countries (Austria, Slovenia, Hungary, Croatia and Serbia), to ensure ecological coherence of planned 5-country biosphere reserve Mura-Drava-Danube, extraordinary European riverine landscape. In this reporting period many activities were already implemented: workshop Dialogue of stakeholders for planning of application of programme of cross-border management in partner countries was held with project partners in Novi Sad, Serbia from 26 to 28 September 2017. Following meeting was held in Velika Polana, Slovenia, from 20 to 22 November 2017, while the last meeting of project partners was held in Sombor, Serbia, from 23 to 27 April 2018. The goal of coop MDD project is complementary with development of BPBR and development of approaches of common management document, as well as development of RIVER’COOL, transboundary educational network. On 21 April 2018 Institute for Nature Conservation of Vojvodina Province has organized joint workshop for teachers. Workshop was attended by 13 participants: pedagogues from kindergartens, kindergarten teachers, teachers of biology, physics and geography from elementary schools and secondary schools and one NGO representative, two experts from Faculty of Sciences in Novi Sad, members of project team and director of protected area. Concept presented on the workshop by experts is selection of all proposals of education stations send by participants of dialogue. More on project: http://www.interreg- danube.eu/approved-projects/coop-mdd

4. Day of European Amazone

Celebration of European Amazone will be held in Backa Palanka on 14 July 2018. Preparations have stared in April 2018 with representatives of that municipality.

5. Monography of BPBR

Institute for Nature Conservation of Vojvodina Province has published a tender for production of a popular monography of Biosphere Reserve. Team of authors was led by dr. Dejan Zagorac and production is expected in mid-July.

Institute for Nature Conservation of Serbia’s Contribution to the drafting of the National Report on the activities regarding the Biosphere Reserves and the UNESCO’s MAB Programme in 2017

1. Revision of the Conservation Study of the Nature Park “Golija”

In accordance with the Programme for the protection of natural resources of the Institute for Nature Conservation of Serbia for 2018, two field visits to the Nature Park “Golija” and the Biosphere Reserve “Golija-Studenica” were conducted for the purpose of revising the Conservation Study of the Nature Park “Golija”, with the aim of amending the protection regimes. Another field visit with the aim of revising the protected area is scheduled by the end of 2018.

2. Project “Monitoring the brown bear (Ursus arctos) in the Nature Park ‘Golija’”

Participating institutions:

State-Owned Enterprise “Srbijasume”, the Manager of the Nature Park “Golija”, and the Institute for Nature Conservation of Serbia

Project objectives, implemented activities, results, conclusions: At the initiative of the State-Owned Enterprise “Srbijasume”, the Manager of the Nature Park “Golija”, in cooperation with the Institute for Nature Conservation of Serbia, the Project “Monitoring the brown bear (Ursus arctos) in the Nature Park ‘Golija’” was started in 2017.

At the beginning of the Project, the objectives were set as follows:  Collect existing data on the records and observations of the brown bear in the Nature Park and the wider area of the Golija Mt.;  Map previous records, and develop an understanding of the movement and presence of brown bears on the Golija Mt. by creating thematic maps;  Analyze the corridors of residence and migration in terms of the structure and features of the habitats;  Determine the actual number of brown bears in the Nature Park “Golija”;  If possible, determine the gender and age structure of the brown bear population.

Implemented activities: Field work activities aimed at the preliminary re-exploration of the study area and the initial collection of data on the presence and movement of brown bears in the Nature Park were the basis for the Project implementation in the first year. The research covered most of the massif of the Golija Mountain.

Results and conclusions: The research results indicate a significant presence of brown bears in the area covered by the Nature Park, as well as in a much wider area outside of the Park. Data and observations collected thus far indicate a possible presence of five independent reproductive groups (females with cubs) in the Park in 2017. Including the estimate on other present individuals, at this moment we can conservatively estimate that between 15 and 20 brown bears inhabit the Park.

According to the results of preliminary research, the area of the Golija Mt. is one of the most important reproductive centers of the brown bear population in Serbia, and it is also an important transit area for the dispersive movement of individuals and the expansion of range to the north, east, southeast and south.

According to the aforementioned results, the area of the Golija Mt. (Nature Park, Biosphere Reserve) is designated as an important area for the conservation and protection of the brown bear population in Serbia.

Due to an increase in the extent of damage to the property of the local population, there is a need to undertake certain preventive and protective measures, in the form of the construction of specialized feeding grounds for brown bears with the purpose of additional feeding, in order to

4 reduce the damage to the property of the local population, as well as to monitor the population more successfully.

Appropriate promotional and educational material (info boards, leaflets) was created in order to inform and educate the local population. Furthermore, thematic meetings and presentations of the results of the Project in the Nature Park were organized.

3. Project “Golija – A transition from planning to development”

Project “Golija – A transition from planning to development”, which is implemented with the support of the EU and the Government of Switzerland in cooperation with the Ministry of Trade, Tourism and Telecommunications of the Republic of Serbia, aims to create conditions for sustainable development of infrastructure in the area of the Nature Park “Golija” and to develop a management model for sustainable development and management of the area as a tourist destination. The project also entails preparing missing planning documents, defining a management model for sustainable tourism development, as well as a campaign aimed at informing all interested parties and developing an Action Plan for the development of the Golija Mt. The total value of the project implemented under the European PROGRES Programme, carried out by the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), is 350,000 euros.

Study visit to Italy – Introduction to management models in the EU

Participants of the study visit of the Project “Golija – A transition from planning to development” financed by the European Union and the Government of Switzerland through the European PROGRES Programme and the Ministry of Trade, Tourism and Telecommunication of the Republic of Serbia in cooperation with the Regional Development Agency “Zlatibor”, took part in a six-day study visit to Italy in order to learn about the protected area management models in the European Union and apply the models of good practice in Serbia.

During this study visit to Italy, the representatives of the Serbian delegation visited three National Parks stretching over regions of Emilia Romagna, Tuscany, Abruzzo, Marche, Molise and Lazio. The study visit included the visit presentation of the National Park “Foreste Casentinesi”, the National Park “Gran Sasso Monti della Laga” and the National Park “Abruzzo Lazio e Molise”. A meeting was held with representatives of the Ministry of the Environment and Protection of Land and Sea of Italy in Rome, where participants were introduced to the procedures and systems of environmental protection in Italy and the European Union, the models of establishing protection, the structure of protected areas and the jurisdiction of the Ministry. The emphasis was on innovative approaches in the development of various forms of tourism which, with the application of the principle of sustainability, and for the purpose of responsible and long-term competitive business, contribute to the general balance at the local, regional and national level. The present representatives of the local self-governments agreed that it was possible to apply all of the presented Italian protected area management models on the Golija Mt., which are in accordance with the legislation of the Republic of Serbia and which largely reflect the views of all interested parties, and noted the following:  Success of the implementation of the models depends largely on the degree of harmonization of attitudes of the competent enterprises and institutions.

 Establishment of the management system for the protected area of the Golija Mt. should be entrusted to the decision makers at the local level which are familiar with the needs of the local population.  It is our common interest that the two cities and three municipalities recognize the opportunity for tourism development, nature conservation and local agricultural production; while the European Charter for Sustainable Tourism in Protected Areas offers the opportunity to preserve natural resources in the territory of Golija. There is a great potential for tourism development and a way to keep the local population by encouraging organic production.

Thematic roundtables: Project “Golija – A transition from planning to development” held in Kraljevo, Novi Pazar, Ivanjica and Belgrade

Roundtables are activities organized within the Project “Golija – A transition from planning to development”, which is financed by the European Union and the Government of Switzerland through the European PROGRES Programme and the Ministry of Trade, Tourism and Telecommunications of the Republic of Serbia in cooperation with the Regional Development Agency “Zlatibor”. The Project “Golija – A transition from planning to development” aims to create conditions for sustainable development of infrastructure in the area of the Nature Park “Golija” and to develop a management model for sustainable development and management of the area as a tourist destination. The Project entails preparing missing planning documents, defining a management model for sustainable tourism development, as well as a campaign aimed at informing all interested parties and developing an action plan for the development of the Golija Mt.

Thematic roundtables enable various stakeholders, representatives of institutions and individuals, to equally discuss the issues on a given topic and to reach a mutual solution. This process enables the participants to compare and contrast different viewpoints in order to reach a mutual agreement. In this way, the defined solutions are verified by stakeholders, improved and gain support from the wider community.

First workshop – Roundtable in the City of Kraljevo

Roundtable in the City of Kraljevo was among the first ones held on the topic “Golija – A transition from planning to development”. Miroslav Knezevic, State Secretary at the Ministry of Trade, Tourism and Telecommunications, Graeme Tyndall, Manager of the United Nations Office for Project Service, and Marko Vujacic, National Manager of the European PROGRES Programme took part in the roundtables. On this occasion, the Project “Golija – A transition from planning to development” was presented through the following thematic areas:  Economy – rural development, tourism, small and medium-sized enterprises, employment, youth and women entrepreneurship, social inclusion.  Management – EU LEADER model – Dragan Roganovic, management model based on principles and experiences of the Biosphere Reserve and UNESCO’s MAB Programme. Territorial partnership based on the European Charter for Sustainable Tourism in Protected Areas.

 Management of tourist destination including the organization for the management of destinations or the company.  Surroundings – environmental protection, natural and cultural values, climate change, prevention and risk management.  Agriculture and forestry.  Infrastructure and ICT, institutional capacities.

During the roundtables, all important segments of the development of the Golija Mt. were discussed, including environmental protection, conservation of natural and cultural heritage, economic and tourist aspects, as well as the development of infrastructure, which will help to compare different viewpoints and arrive at well-designed solutions with the participation of all relevant stakeholders. In addition, there was an attempt to jointly discuss and define the models for managing the development of the Golija Mt. as a tourist destination while respecting the principles of nature conservation and sustainable development.

Second workshop – Public forum for the drafting of the Action Plan for the development of the Golija Mt. held in Ivanjica

Second workshop – Public forum for the drafting of the Action Plan for the development of the Golija Mt. was held in Ivanjica in order to define the models for managing the development of the Golija Mt.

The second workshop was attended by: Members of the working group of the project (the representatives of the Ministry of Trade, Tourism and Telecommunications, Ministry of Environmental Protection, Ministry of Construction, Transport and Infrastructure, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Institute for Nature Conservation of Serbia, State-Owned Enterprise “Srbijasume”, State-Owned Enterprise “Srbijavode”, State-Owned Enterprise “Elektrodistribucija”, Nature Park “Golija”, City of Kraljevo, City of Novi Pazar, Municipality of Raska and Municipality of Ivanjica) and the representatives of: Cultural Center Ivanjica, Youth Office Ivanjica, Regional Agency for Spatial and Economic Development of Raska and Morava districts, Mountain Community, National Employment Service Ivanjica, Arhiplan from Arandjelovac, Primary School “Devici”, Local Community “Rudno”, “Dva jarana Golija”, Motel “Gos”, the representatives of five primary schools, the European PROGRES and Regional Development Agency Zlatibor. Moderator: consortium IDA/Futura/Agenda 21.

Representative of the Institute for Nature Conservation of Serbia held a presentation on the Nature Park “Golija” and the Biosphere Reserve “Golija-Studenica”. Participants of the workshop then engaged in defining project objectives, moderated by the consortium and with the active participation of the representatives of the RDA Zlatibor, in the following thematic areas: Management, Economy, Surroundings, Agriculture and forestry and Infrastructure and ICT; as well as proposing an idea for the development of the Golija Mt. in accordance with the defined objectives and the measures of development of the Golija Mt. At the end, there was an award ceremony for the participants of the children's art competition on the topic “My Golija”.

Stakeholders at the national, regional and local level, and from all three sectors (public, private and civilian) took part in the second workshop.

Тhird workshop for the drafting of the Action Plan for the development of the Golija Mt.

Third workshop for the drafting of the Action Plan for the development of the Golija Mt. was held at the tourist settlement Ras, in the City of Novi Pazar.

The workshop was dedicated to defining objectives and measures within the process of the drafting of the Action Plan for the development of the Golija Mt. which is part of the Project “Golija – A transition from planning to development”. Defining the objectives and measures within the process of the drafting of the Action Plan should enable the development of a strategic framework for the development of the Golija Mt., as well as the establishment of activities needed for the implementation of the objectives and measures, and the obligation of different stakeholders and the financing of all activities. Defining the objectives and measures was carried out through group work in the following thematic areas: Management, Economy, Surroundings, Agriculture and forestry and Infrastructure and ICT. The results of the group work were presented after the workshop, i.e. a summary and conclusions of the workshop were determined.

Final event of the Project “Golija – A transition from planning to development”

The final event of the Project “Golija – A transition from planning to development” was organized by the Ministry of Trade, Tourism and Telecommunications of the Republic of Serbia and the European PROGRES Programme in Belgrade.

The said Project aims to create conditions for sustainable development of the Golija Mt. which presuposes a strategic approach and preparing missing planning documents, which on the one side enables the conservation of natural and cultural heritage, and on the other side enables the further development of the said area in order for the local population to reap benefits and recognize the opportunity for the survival and development of the Golija Mt.

Protected areas are at the same time the most attractive tourist destinations, and therefore the needs of the local population and the development and protection of nature should be harmonized and viewed as natural capital, not as a resource for exploitation, emphasizing that environmental protection is the responsibility of all relevant ministries and can be achieved only through cross- sectoral cooperation.

During the implementation of the project, special emphasis was placed on respecting the principles of effective management which are essential for sustainable development, while the active participation of all stakeholders was of paramount importance in order to achieve well-designed solutions for the development management and gaining the support of a wider audience, whereby the results of the project should serve as model of good practice for other protected areas.

At the final event, the following items were presented:  Plans for detailed regulation of the infrastructure corridor in the area of the Special Purpose Spatial Plan for the Nature Park “Golija”.

 Experiences in the management of protected areas.  Proposal of the model for managing socioeconomic development of the area of the Golija Mt.  Action Plan for the development of the Golija Mt. and the Proposal of the cooperation agreement.

4. International conference “UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere”, cross-sectoral approach to natural resource management – “Does it work in the South Caucasus?”

The international workshop “UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere”, cross-sectoral approach to natural resource management – “Does it work in the South Caucasus?” with the participation of representatives from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Croatia, Serbia, Czech Republic, Russia, Georgia and UNESCO experts for the “Man and the Biosphere” Programme was organized by GIZ on November 6-9, 2017.

The aim of the workshop was to present Biosphere Reserves outside the Caucasus and the possibility of establishing a Biosphere Reserve in the countries of the South Caucasus. Also, another aim was to contribute to a better understanding of the MAB concept among stakeholders and the expansion of knowledge base related to decision making, planning and implementation of the MAB Programme, as well as to support, specifically plan and implement the necessary steps in the countries of the South Caucasus.

The workshop included the presentations of different Biosphere Reserves and the exchange of experience, as well learning from examples of good practice in six Biosphere Reserves (Biosphere Reserve “Lover Morava”, the Czech Republic; Biosphere Reserve “Rhon”, Thuringen, Germany; Biosphere Reserve “Velebit”, Croatia; Biosphere Reserve “Backo Podunavlje”, Serbia; Biosphere Reserve “Golija-Studenica”, Serbia; Transboundary Biosphere Reserve “Great Altai”, Kazakhstan/Russia). The representative of the Institute for Nature Conservation of Serbia presented the basic characteristics of the Biosphere Reserve “Golija-Studenica”, the information on the process of establishing MAB Programme, zoning, the benefits for the local population, the main challenges, the legal provisions for the management of the Reserve, and the institutional management structure of the Reserve. In addition to the presentations, an active workshop where various issues regarding the Reserve were discussed was organized. The workshop covered the following issues: How to establish a Biosphere Reserve? Is Biosphere Reserve a protected area? What are the conditions for joining the international MAB network? Short videos and films from different Biosphere Reserves (Biosphere Reserve “Backo Podunavlje”) were screened within the workshop.

The results of the group work (presentation of the countries and drafting of recommendations for the implementation of the MAB concept in the South Caucasus) were presented. It was also summarized that the MAB Programme can be implemented in the countries of the South Caucasus.

5. MaB Youth Forum

MаB Youth Forum, which was for the first time organized within the UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere Programme, was held on September 18-22, 2017, with the aim of bringing together

9 young people who are involved in the management or research of the Biosphere Reserve, or live and work in the Biosphere Reserve, thus promoting the active participation of young people in the MAB Programme and strengthening their role in the sustainable development of the Biosphere Reserve, which is in line with the Lima Action Plan adopted in March 2016, at the 4th World Congress of Biosphere Reserves. The Republic of Serbia presented two of its Biosphere Reserves (“Golija-Studenica” and “Backo Podunavlje”) at this international event.

During 5 working days, young people aged 18-35 from 85 countries presented to each other their Biosphere Reserve and their role within them, exchanged experiences, practices and problems they face on a daily basis; next, they were divided into groups of ten with the aim of defining objectives for the entire MAB community to follow in order for the Biosphere Reserves to fully fulfil their role as areas in which people live in harmony with nature and progress, thus proving in practice the idea of sustainable development, and actions that would fulfil those objectives.

The end product of the workshops and the entire Forum was the drafting of the Declaration of the Youth Forum which urges all Biosphere Reserves to create opportunities for the long-term employment of young people at positions related to the values of the Reserves, especially in biodiversity conservation and habitat restoration, in cooperation with the local enterprises and stakeholders.

6. Proposed nomination of the Special Nature Reserve “Pestersko polje” as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve

The Institute for Nature Conservation of Serbia plans to nominate the Special Nature Reserve “Pestersko polje” as a Biosphere Reserve; the Special Nature Reserve is located in southwest Serbia, on the Pester plateau, between the mountains Giljava (1617 m), Zilindar (1616 m), Jarut (1502 m) and Ninaja (1358 m) and belongs to two Municipalities, Tutin and Sjenica, and is bound by the following settlements: Karajukica bunari, Borostica, Suvi do, Donje djerekare and Leskova. The minimum altitude is 1158 m, the maximum altitude is 1351 m, and the average altitude is 1160 m. The total area of the Special Nature Reserve “Pestersko polje” is 50.7 km2. It is one of the highest and widest karst fields in Serbia, while the basic morphological feature of this area is the flat and shallow bottom of the Pester plateau surrounded by karstified surfaces from which the peaks of the aforementioned mountains rise.

A unique complex of pond, wetland and mire habitats surrounded by other mesophilous habitats such as high-mountain meadows and pastures has formed under specific climatic, edaphic, orographic, hydrographic and other conditions in this area. Those habitats are well-preserved and contain very diverse accompanying flora and fauna, with numerous protected, rare and endangered representatives, of which some have only been recorded here at the national level, and even at the global level. In addition to these values, Pestersko polje has characteristic landscape physiognomy and well-conserved traditional way of life of the local population. Due to its natural values, this area has been designated as an Important Bird Area, Important Plant Area, Prime Butterfly Area, Emerald site, as well as a wetland protected by the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance. Pestersko polje is one of 10 designated Ramsar sites in Serbia.

The centuries-old presence of man in this region has conditioned the mutual dependence of human activities and nature, thus the appearance and value of the landscape are the result of this interaction. Therefore, the preservation of this established balance of natural and man-made values is the starting point for nominating this area as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, because the guidelines of the Man and the Biosphere Programme can be fully applied here. The establishment of this international program within the framework of the Special Nature Reserve “Pestersko polje” would direct the use of this area to the production of healthy food, ecotourism and recreation, and it would also play an important educational role. An important factor in the current use of this area is the exploitation of peat, which is present in the central part of the Reserve, therefore the development of other economic activities that are sustainable would harmonize the relationship between natural and socioeconomic factors in this area.

2017 National Report on Management of “Golija-Studenica” Biosphere Reserve by the State Enterprise for Forest Management “Srbijasume”

Introduction

The concept of protection of NP “Golija” and BR “Golija-Studenica” is based on: preservation and improvement of the total natural values and resources; preservation of landscape and ambient values; preservation of cultural and historical heritage as well as protection of environs of immovable cultural property; harmonized development of economic activities with nature protection and the need to fulfill three basic complementary functions of the Biosphere Reserve. The objectives of protection and conservation of the “Golija” Nature Park and “Golija-Studenica” BR in 2017 were: protection of nature and natural values; protection of immovable cultural property and man-made values; development of agriculture and revitalization of villages; development of forestry, hunting and fisheries; development of tourism; settlement development and environmental protection.

Both in the previous period and in 2017, the Manager continued meeting the objectives through planned tasks on: custody, maintenance and presentation of “Golija Nature Park “; visitor management; regulation of property-legal relations; monitoring and improving the status of “Golija” NP; spatial planning and sustainable use of natural resources and fire protection in the protected area.

The management of the protected natural asset Golija, in accordance with achievements as regards nature protection, is based on the principles of sustainable development. Therefore, one of the main tasks of the Manager, as well as other local authorities and institutions, is to harmonize interests and overcome conflict situations.

I Protection, Maintenance, Monitoring and Improving Natural and Man-Made Values

1.1. Priority Measures and Activities in the Management of Natural Values

Measures for protection, maintenance, preservation, improvement and use of natural values of “Golija” NP and “Golija-Studenica” BR are carried out by the Manager’s expert services in

11 accordance with the protection act, planning documents, the Rulebook on Internal Order and the guard service of “Golija” NP and other regulations and by-laws. Supervision, as part of the management system of NP “Golija” and BR “Golija-Studenica”, was carried out through the guard service. The guards and water-bailiffs visited the departments on a daily basis and determined whether there was some ongoing illegal activity and made notes thereof in the Guard Log Book; they delivered monthly reports directly to the managers of the Guard Service. The guard service managers, in accordance with the defined reporting dynamics, submitted their reports to competent services in Forest Estates, i.e. to senior officers for private forests and environmental protection, who then provided reports on the relevant areas to the Manager of “Golija” NP. Control and implementation of all activities on the implementation of the 2017 Management Program was carried out by the Manager of “Golija” NP. In order to improve the work of the Guard Service, training and education of the guards was carried out on how to operate the geolocation device and protect forests against fire. 1.2. Priority Measures and Activities in the Management of Cultural and Historical Heritage

During the year, through organized visits to Nature Park “Golija” and Biosphere Reserve “Golija- Studenica”, cultural and historical values were being promoted, especially those belonging to the monasteries of Studenica, Gradac, Kovilje and Pridvorica (the anchoress of Saint Sava), as well as other rural churches. During the year, at all manifestations, presentations and in organized visits, cultural and historical values of the Nature Park were promoted. Cooperation with the Institute for the Protection of Cultural Monuments was also established on the research of the cultural heritage of the “Golija” NP and „“Golija-Studenica” BR where, according to the 2017 Management Program for “Golija” Nature Park, sondage archaeological research of the following sites was planned: Petrov krs (Xcoord - 7462848.38300737, Ycoord - 4802322.44742325) and Velenjska gradina (Xcoord - 7459525.56633020, Ycoord - 4805762.38222080) - the municipalities of Raska and Nikoljaca (cadastral plot No. 393/1 cadastral municipality Drazinice) - the city of Kraljevo.

1.3. Natural resource management

1.3.1. Tasks and Activities on Forest Protection and Management

Forest management in “Golija” NP and “Golija-Studenica” BR is carried out in accordance with defined protection regimes and planning documents in the field of forest management. In the program period, activities on the planning, preservation, protection and improvement of forest ecosystems of “Golija” NP and “Golija-Studenica” BR were being carried out through:  Developing of Forest Management Plans During 2017, one forest management plan was developed and field works were performed for the development of 5 forest management plans. Forest management plans are developed in accordance with nature protection decisions issued by the competent Institute for Nature Protection of Serbia.  Forest Protection Protection of forests against plant diseases and pests was carried out based on the recommendations given by the Forestry Institute. Measures were taken on the sanitary- silvicultural and other works that are anticipated in the 2017 Annual Forest Management Plan. This year, dieback of coniferous forests in the Golija region has continued, and the outbreak of

12 bark beetle (Scolytidae) from the previous years has contributed to reaching a dramatic situation, with the conclusion that this year a slight decrease in dieback severity has been noticed in the Nature Park area. Forest Estates on the territory of “Golija” NP and “Golija-Studenica” BR have placed pheromone traps in the past three years. Activities on the protection of forest ecosystems were carried out through monitoring of forest condition on the sample plots. A special activity on forest protection was performed through monitoring insects, i.e., bark beetle and their trap-out using pheromone traps. In addition to suppression of the bark beetle, in order to protect the forest from further dieback, fungicides were also applied to tree stumps in order to prevent the spread of root rot fungi, considering that rot on the root and buttress caused by the fungus Heterobasidion annosum had been recorded in the area of “Golija” NP. In addition to bark beetle suppression, in order to protect the forests from further dieback, immediately after cutting the stumps were treated with ROT STOP to prevent the spread of root rot fungi Heterobasidion annosum. According to the results so far indicating the effectiveness of applied protection measures, a positive effect can be noted, i. e., a slight decrease in dieback process in the Nature Park area, so it is necessary to continue the implementation of the necessary protection measures in the coming years. Also, by removing diseased trees infected with fungus, its presence is partly reduced, so sanitary cuttings still need to be carried out.

In order to prevent forest fires, the following measures were taken: propaganda and education of the local population and local self-government, along with the indication of harmful impacts of wildfires, ban on lighting fires in the open, obligatory on-site stand-by duty at locations where agricultural land near forest is being burnt; daily field visits, particularly during the critical period, for the sake of detecting fire occurrence and taking immediate emergency action to localize and extinguish fires; establishment of a system - a monitoring and information service regarding the on-site situation; maintenance of roads and skid trails that also serve as fire safety strips. All forms of protection, due to the vulnerability of the complex, represent a planned and unique whole, with respect to the specificity of the planned measures in the individual parts of the complex to which they relate.

1.3.2. Tasks and Activities on the Protection and Management of Hunting and Fishing Fauna

In accordance with the Law on Protection and Sustainable Use of Fish Resources (“Official Gazette of the Republic of Serbia”, No. 128/2014) and the Annual Management Program of “Golija” NP, the Manager of “Golija” NP organized the managing of fish stocks and fishing waters of “Golija” NP “Golija-Studenica” BR, namely: by preventing attempts at self-initiated or incompetent fish stocking; installing and maintaining “Prohibited Fishing” information boards on rivers and streams; setting up “Catch-and-Release” information boards as a sign that sport fishing is allowed on parts of the rivers Studenica and Brvenica; marking the boundaries of the fishing area in accordance with the regulations; stocking all the rivers in the fishing area of “Golija” NP and “Golija-Studenica” BR with 26,000 pieces of juvenile autochthonous brown trout; regular controlling of fishing waters, and protecting natural fish hatcheries.

1.3.3 Tasks and Activities on Protection, Development and Management of Waters

As part of permanent guard activities of “Golija” NP, regular control of water and soil quality was done, and mini hydro power plants and other facilities were built near riverbeds. In accordance

13 with the Law on Water Resources, regular control of uninterrupted water flow in watercourses was carried out, as well as control of fish trails, and competent inspections were informed about any irregularities.

1.3.4. Tasks and Activities on the Protection, Development and Management of Agricultural Land

In cooperation with the Agricultural Advisory and Expert Service, the following were put under control: land cultivation, plowing of pastures and meadows at higher altitudes and slopes (especially potatoe fields), use of artificial fertilizers and plant protection products, and uncontrolled waste disposal.

Education of the local population was conducted on the possibilities of encouraging agricultural producers to engage more seriously in organic production.

1.3.5. Tasks and activities on the use of secondary forest products

Secondary forest products are a significant natural resource of “Golija” Nature Park. Activities on the protection of secondary forest products were carried out jointly with the Republic Inspectors for Environmental Protection, through control of picking and distribution of mushrooms, medicinal herbs and forest fruits, as well as prevention of cutting conifer branches. During the reporting period, there was neither organized use of mushrooms and medicinal herbs nor cutting of conifer branches.

1.3.6. Monitoring Tasks and Activities

Monitoring of strictly protected and protected species of plants, animals and mushrooms, monitoring of the state of natural resources in the protected area (river waterways, soil, forests, etc.) and introducing changes in the annual forest management plans all represent regular business activities of district forestry engineers of the management units that are territorially located in “Golija” NP. During 2017 the following monitoring activities were also realized (some of which are still in progress):  Bear monitoring - since one of the bigger populations of the brown bear in Serbia is located on Mount Golija, in 2017 monitoring was carried out by the Institute for Nature Conservation as follows: determining the actual state of the bear population in the “Golija” Nature Park area, as well as bringing the population to a balanced state for the given area; determining the age and gender structure of the bear population; improving habitat conditions; construction of hunting-technical facilities; monitoring of health status and any other protection of bears; reducing possible damage due to the bears to a minimum; education of the local population.  Bird Monitoring - Golija is a mountain massif of great biodiversity, i. e., one of the important European centers of ornithological species and genetic diversity. So far, 45 species of birds belonging to the group of natural rarities have been registered on Golija, and about 90 species of candidates for the Red Book of Birds of Serbia have been registered, which all points to the great importance of ornithofauna found on Golija as a future biosphere reserve for preserving bird biodiversity. In 2017, bird monitoring was organized by the Royal Academic Natural

History Society “Balkan”, namely field research based on the methodology for research of rare birds and birds of prey, in order to determine their number and spatial distribution (on several sites vertical ornithological networks were set up to determine local bird movement, to identify the species and do the marking with ornithological rings of the Natural History Museum from Belgrade), then the production and installation of wooden houses was realized, info boards were installed and workshops organized on identification, protection and monitoring of the state of the bird populations in the Golija area.  Monitoring of amphibians and reptiles was continued in accordance with the initiated activities established through 2016 monitoring in cooperation with the Serbian Herpetological Society “Milutin Radovanovic”, where in the first phase a cross-section of the existing state of the investigated area was made. The Royal Academic Natural History Society “Balkan” continued research in the field of species monitoring focused on establishing passive monitoring in order to get the first complete results at the beginning of the next season. In that sense, the focus was on reproductive centers of amphibians, with a large number thereof in this area.  Monitoring of forest dieback - in 2017 the process of coniferous forest dieback continued, and this is an ongoing process in the area of Nature Park “Golija” and Bioshere Reserve “Golija-Studenica”. Forest dieback monitoring was carried out in cooperation with the Faculty of Forestry in Belgrade. Dieback of a large number of trees continued in the following Management Units: “Dajicke planine”, “Golija”, “Kolesnica”, “Brusnicke sume”, “Biser voda - Crni vrh – Radulovac”, “Crepuljnik”, “Kovilje - Rabrovica”, “Radocelo - Crepuljnik” and “Gornja Studenica”, where pheromone traps were placed and numbers of bark beetles monitored, with timely rehabilitation - cutting and extraction of dry trees, as well as treating stumps with ROT STOP immediately after cutting, which is intended for suppression of the fungus Heterobasidion annosum causing rot on the root and buttress.  Blueberry monitoring - each year, “Golija” Nature Park and “Golija-Studenica” Biosphere Reserve are faced with illegal methods of blueberry picking (Vaccinium myrtillus). The use of illicit means results in reduced areas under blueberries, as well as reduced fruiting, which poses a great danger to the survival of this protected species. In the period from July 1st to July 31st 2017, controls were performed on the use and traffic of the protected blueberry species in the “Golija” Nature Park area.

II Promotion of Protected Area Values

2.1. Measures and Conditions

Promoting the values of “Golija” NP is one of the Manager's priority tasks, since the area is characterized by a richness of natural, cultural and man-made values. Therefore, through participating in various promotions, consultations, seminars and conferences, and by printing propaganda material, the Manager was able to promote “Golija” NP and “Golija-Studenica” BR. Continuous cooperation with local, regional and republic printed and electronic media was also carried out.

2.2 Tasks on the Development of Cultural, Educational and Informative Propaganda Activities

The planned activities regarding the promotion of the values of “Golija” Nature Park which took place are as follows:  A WEB presentation (WEBSITE) of “Golija” Nature Park and “Golija-Studenica” Biosphere Reserve was created for the target group of Internet users;  Organization and participation in various activities dedicated to Golija, on the occasion of marking: World Water Day, World Wildlife Day, World Day for the Protection of Biodiversity, World Environment Day, European Forest Week, World Tourism Day, World Day of Mountains, Clean Mountains Day, etc.;  Participation of the Manager in traditional local manifestations, festivities, village religious festivals (or ’slava’ celebrations), ’slava’ feasts of churches and monasteries, hunting manifestations, sports competitions, painting colonies, days of schools and days of municipalities and cities, the Lilac Days, etc.;  A presentation on the importance of “Golija” NP and “Golija-Studenica” BR was organized for elementary school students;  Education of children through the knowledge quiz on “Golija” NP and “Golija-Studenica” BR for school year 2017/18 was organized, in cooperation with the monasteries Studenica and Gradac - “Eparhija Zicka”, Institute for Nature Conservation of Serbia and local self- governments;  On April 11th, 2017, “Golija - Studenica” Biosphere Reserve was presented on the occasion of marking the Nature Conservation Day; the event was organized by S. E. “Srbijasume” Belgrade, the Institute for Nature Conservation of Serbia and “Jevremovac” Botanical Garden (which was also the venue for the event). Also, meetings and roundtables were organized, dedicated to certain problems related to “Golija - Studenica” BR.  A thematic program on “Golija” NP and “Golija-Studenica” RB “Golija - the Big Mountain” - was recorded and broadcast on national television.

2.3 Tasks and Activities in Sustainable Tourism Development

Education of the local population in the field of tourism - the project was realized in cooperation with the Royal Academic Natural History Society “Balkan”. An event was organized in “Golija- Studenica” Biosphere Reserve, i. e., a promotion of sustainable tourism in the Biosphere Reserve, where the potentials were identified and where lectures were held for the local population in order to motivate them as much as possible to engage in this activity.

III Planning, Construction and Regulation of the Area

In the protected area of “Golija” NP and “Golija-Studenica” BR, the activities performed which were related to the arrangement of the area are as follows:  In cooperation with the local community of Devici, the village center was arranged;  Six mushroom awnings were set up, with tables and benches;

 A children's playground was built and installed, as well as 15 half-log benches;  17 garbage cans were made and installed;  6 fodder racks and watering places were provided and set up, two raised hides in the hunting ground “Golija” and eight birdhouses;  1500 m3 of crushed stone was provided and used for leveling local roads, by which the Manager has given solid support to the local people;  Works on the arrangement of the roadway to the protected area were carried out - reconstruction of the truck roads: Devici - Bzovik and Devici - Staro Selo;  Works on the arrangement of the roadway to the protected area were carried out - reconstruction of the truck road: Kuti - Curevac - Ugljari and Binicko polje - Ugljari;  Works on the arrangement of the roadway to the protected area were carried out - reconstruction of the forest roads: Srnjaca - Rudno - Brevina - Studenica and Vrh - Radocelo;  A pedestrian walkway along the river Brevin was arranged and a wooden pedestrian bridge was installed.

IV Cooperation

4.1. Cooperation and Partnership with the Local Population

Since the moment the Golija Area was proclaimed a national protected natural asset - “Golija” Nature Park - the Manager has endeavored to cooperate with the local population and other users of the areas “Golija” NP and “Golija-Studenica” BR, which also continued in 2017. Cooperation has been established with the cities of Kraljevo and Novi Pazar, the municipalities of Ivanjica and Sjenica, as well as with all the local communities within the Nature Park, through regular activities on various issues, especially joint problem-solving, arrangement of micro sites, maintenance of cleanliness, road infrastructure, development of programs and projects, etc.

4.2. Cooperation with Other Owners and Users of Real Estate in “Golija” NP

In 2017, cooperation continued with monasteries, churches and forest owners, also with the Public Power Utility EPS (“Elektroprivreda Srbije”), the Public Water Management Company (“Srbijavode”), the Public Company Serbian Ski Resorts (“Skijalista Srbije”), the Geological Institute of Serbia, the Institute for Nature Conservation of Serbia, the Institute for Protection of Cultural Monuments of Serbia and the Serbian Ministry of Interior Affairs.

In addition, successful cooperation was realized with the following entrepreneurs in the “Golija” NP area: “Devici promet - Pesic et al.” Devici, Ivanjica; Company “Mrestiliste Braduljica” Ivanjica; S.Z.T.A.U.R. “Tri jele” Konarevo; S.Z.T.A.U.R. “Marinkovic” Raska; “Kristalin stone D.O.O” Studenica; Z.T.P.R “Slatina” Milici; Z.T.U.A.R “Strugara Andric” Rudno; S.U.T.A .K “Studenica” Devici, and Accommodation for shorter stays and catering services “Beli bagrem”.

4.3. Cooperation with NGOs

Cooperation with NGOs took place through the support of projects that contributed to promoting the area, raising ecological awareness, ecotourism projects and all development projects. In 2017, successful cooperation with the following organizations continued: “Kraljevo” Hunting Association; Youth Office of the Municipal Administration of Raska; Youth Office of Municipal Administration of Ivanjica; Mountaineering-environmental Association “Ras” from Novi Pazar; Mountaineering Associations “Golija” from Ivanjica and “Gvozdac” from Kraljevo; Cycling Club “Ciker” from Kraljevo; Church parishes in “Golija” NP area, Scouts from Kragujevac; Eco Club “Pangea Kraljevo”; Association for Assistance to Persons with Special Needs Raska; Foundation “Deca za decu” from Ivanjica; Children and Youth Center “Duga” from Novi Pazar; Mountain Community “Golija” Plesin-Raska and Association “Rudnjanski domacini”.

4.4. International Cooperation

SE “Srbijasume” as the Manager of protected areas of national importance cooperates with countries from the region in order to exchange experiences in the field of protected area management. The Manager has continued with the activities initiated for improving the management of “Golija-Studenica” BR in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Commission for UNESCO, the Ministry of Environmental Protection, the Institute for Nature Conservation of Serbia and WWF. Cooperation has also continued with representatives of the IUCN and UNDP.

The Manager actively participated in the project “Golija - Transit from Planning to Development”, whose implementation lasted for 18 months, and which was financed by the European Union and the Government of Switzerland through the EU PROGRES Development Program, together with the Ministry of Trade, Tourism and Telecommunications of the Government of the Republic of Serbia, and in cooperation with the Regional Development Agency Zlatibor from Uzice. The goal of the project was to create conditions for sustainable development of “Golija” Nature Park and “Golija-Studenica” BR; plans were developed for detailed regulation of the infrastructure corridor in the spatial plan area of the “Golija” NP Special Purpose Area, as well as proposals related to the model for managing socio-economic development and a development action plan for Golija.

Management representatives of “Golija” NP and “Golija-Studenica” BR took part in the International Workshop “Renewable Energy and Biosphere Reserves” held in Bliesgau Biosphere Reserve - Germany, within the UNESCO MAB Program (September 11th-13th, 2017), and they attended the Euro MAB Congress held in Sarlat-la-Canéda, Dordogne Basin Biosphere Reserve - France (April 4th-7th, 2017).