In recent years, significant advancements have been made in enhancing water management practices within Mavrovo and the Shar Mountain National Parks, through the invaluable support from the Prespa Ohrid Nature Trust (PONT). This aligns with Eko-svest’s strategic goal of establishing both a legal and practical framework for the socio-ecological protection and restoration of rivers. Given the increasing pressures from human activities and climate change, safeguarding rivers has emerged as one of the most critical tasks of modern times; essential for the future well-being of both humanity and nature.
To achieve these objectives, a team of specialists in biodiversity, hydrology, and geomorphology was gathered to develop a comprehensive “Analysis of Threats to Rivers and Riparian Habitats” within the parks. This analysis employed an innovative and inclusive methodology that engaged relevant stakeholders to produce an extensive overview of existing threats, along with actionable recommendations for their mitigation and ecological restoration. This crucial analysis provided protected area authorities with deeper insights into the identified threats and facilitated the monitoring of their impacts through detailed “threat maps.” The next phase involved crafting a restoration plan addressing key threats and physically restoring affected ecosystems.
In collaboration with an expert hydrologist, a procedural framework for regulating water abstractions has been established to ensure ecological flow within rivers. These guidelines serve as a vital resource for the assessment, monitoring, and management of water extraction practices, ensuring compliance with environmental flow requirements (in line with the EU Water Framework Directive). Additionally, it addresses the existing legal gap resulting from the lack of a formal procedure for calculating ecological flow as mandated by the Law on Waters. To further support both parks, Eko-svest has provided hydrological flow meters and conducted specialised training on their usage.
To inspire community involvement in the protection and monitoring of river ecosystems the CrowdWater App has been adapted. This mobile application promotes citizen science and fosters effective data collection, enabling park authorities to identify and monitor environmental issues related to rivers more efficiently.
Currently, ongoing monitoring is being conducted on selected pilot rivers, specifically the Bistrica in Shar Mountain and the Tresonecka River in Mavrovo. Future steps will focus on following findings from the threat analysis to identify restoration needs and subsequently implement targeted restoration and rehabilitation activities within the national parks. Through these initiatives, Eko-svest and PONT are dedicated to enhancing the resilience and ecological health of these vital river systems.
By: Ana Colovic Lesoka (Eko-svest)
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