NATIONAL PARK “BJESHKËT E NEMUNA” THE BIGGEST DEVELOPMENT IN NATURE CONSERVATION IN KOSOVO

This paper presents process, benefits and challenges of the biggest undertaking so far for the protection of biodiversity in the Republic of Kosovo. In December 2012, Assembly of Kosovo, after nearly 43 years long process, passed the law on designation of the second national park “Bjeshket e Nemuna”. This is the first park declared in the independent Kosovo and the largest one with an area of 62,488 ha. With the new park, the total of protected areas at the country level is increased significantly, more exactly in about 109.794 ha or 10.03% of the territory of Kosovo. This park is one of the floristic centers of Europe and designation as national park aims to ensure better conservation of over 1,500 plant taxa, 8 species of fish, 13 species of amphibians, 10 species of reptiles, 148 species of birds, 37 species of mammals and 129 types of butterflies. Legal protection after adoption of the law provides protection only in paper. Now the real challenge starts for the protection of biodiversity in the area that has been under long, wild and intense degradation during these years that procedure of designation lasted. There are many accumulated problems that represent difficult challenges for the administration that will manage the national park: loss of rare and threatened plant and animal species, unplanned and non-legal interventions and constructions, low level of economic development and investments in the area etc.