Trying to make the world happier
by posting and sharing mostly positive and exciting moments from my life, today
I feel the inevitable need to share something different. I'm writing this in
English for not only my literate citizens but also the world to read about the
system and society we live in.
It's been 3 years now since I
live in Ohrid, Lagadin where I work in tourism, after 13 years working & researching
in that field in Macedonia and abroad (Turkey, Croatia, Malaysia, China, USA,
Africa).
More than a month ago all
inhabitants and property owners of
Lagadin village signed a petition against a Government's project for cruelly destroying protected natural
heritage around Lake Ohrid, specifically against the current project for
building a Mediterranean beach on the Lagadin coast line.
Referring to existing laws and
quoting scientific experts, the petition states that this part of the lake (as
most of it) needs to stay untouched in order to prevent dislocation and extinction
of endangered flora and fauna species.
The reed belt in the area disturbed
by the project, is the home of the mute swan, several kinds of fish, birds,
insects – part of the 200 endemic species found only in Lake Ohrid and nowhere
else in the world.
Lagadin coastline comes very
close to Mt. Galičica, a
National Park recognized by the International Union for Conservation of Nature
(IUCN) and protected by law since 1958. Thanks to the several hundred original
rarities and the protected plant and animal species, the Park has been
internationally recognised as an Important Plant Area, a Primary Butterfly
Area, as well as an Emerald Site, meaning that, in the future, it will form
part of the European Natura 2000[1]
network. The extraordinary
biodiversity and the international significance of the Galičica National Park was further validated in 2014,
when it became part of the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves.
The petition also relies on facts
relating to the economy and financial justification of the project. Namely,
statistical data by one of the largest tour operators bringing most of the foreign
guests in the country, say that this beach is mostly visited by families and groups
of older people. Now as well as 50 years ago, foreign tourists visit Lake Ohrid
because of its natural and cultural heritage and not the "quasi -Mediterranean
beaches". The main tourist groups visiting Lake Ohrid, especially Lagadin
coast are willing to enjoy their peace in a rural and eco-friendly environment.
Both old people and parents with
children are struggling every day to cross a 5m wide street, running away from
the loud commercial beaches.
At the same time, Lagadin Local
Community has been for years now sending requests to the Ohrid Municipality for
resolving safety issues around the neighborhood. Street lighting for ex., is something that
every person pays for but doesn't always enjoy its service. A sign with speed
limit 40 is almost non-existent visually. A new document asking for providing the
area with basic signalization was archived today (18.06.15) by the addressed
institutions. So far in the past 3 years,
it never got any answer.
Few days ago another shocking scene.
The Government elite's convoy is passing this way with 100km/h, setting a great
example for their people. The rules are made by those who never obey them. The
purpose of the visit was an opening
ceremony for a reconstructed asphalt road in the nearby village of Elšani. At
the moment when we thought that the Government might have an ear for Lagadin's
arguments and their demands to be
erased from the megalomaniac project list, we hear in the news the announcing of
the Mediterranean beach in the same manner as the promised road to the people
of Elšani village was announced. How ironic and disrespectful!
Macedonia is facing major
problems, large economic crisis with high unemployment rate, and financial
instability, disordered existing infrastructure and political separation. Many
people would agree that €1.350.000 for a Mediterranean beach in Lagadin is not
a priority and is economically disapproved for the current budget of our
country. Just like the €500.000
palm trees. Or another €55.000.000
for the projected express way passing through the Galičica National Park, destroying the last piece of Ohrid’s
natural identity.
What's next:
We keep up the good beats by
educating young generations. We will capture the image of today and spread an
SOS message to the world. We will need your help!
21 of June is the day of the
lake. A group of activists, Citizens' initiatives and NGOs will celebrate it
through sports, creative, and educational workshops around Lake
Ohrid and Mount Galičica. Join us if you can or support us by signing the
international petition we will
publish on this day (21 June) for saving the UNESCO cultural and natural
heritage of Ohrid! If you’re an expert, you can support our struggle for Lake
Ohrid by signing the Declaration
for its preservation according to the recommendations by UNESCO, international
conventions, and national legislation. Links and further details on the Ohrid SOS FB page.
Ilina Arsova
Lagadin Local Community, President
Representative of TAKT NGO
Comments
Post a Comment