Ohrid, 9 May 2023 (MIA) - A delegation of the Bern Convention, Ramsar Convention and UNESCO that visited the Ohrid region last week, published a report on the visit and on-the-spot appraisal.

The Bern Convention carried out an on-the-spot appraisal (OSA) to the Lake Ohrid and Galichica National Park candidate Emerald Sites on 25-27 April in relation to the open case-file 2017/2 which concerns alleged negative impacts due to unsustainable infrastructure and urbanisation developments, reads the press release. 

According to the Bern Convention, the international mission team met with various stakeholders across the three days including Kaja Shukova, Minister of Environment and Physical Planning, other representatives of North Macedonia's authorities at national and municipal levels (including the Mayor of Ohrid, Kiril Pecakov), civil society, park management, and the EU delegation in North Macedonia. 

Several field and site visits also allowed for a good overview of the protected areas and developments which may have a negative impact on the species and habitats present there.

The visit follows an online mission carried out in 2021 focusing on the open case-file 2013/1 on Mavrovo National Park, which also proposed recommendations aimed at the general governance of protected areas in North Macedonia, including specific reference to the two sites concerned by the 2023 mission, the press release adds.

In addition, the Bern Convention notes that an independent expert will now elaborate the mission report and draft recommendations, which will be submitted for consideration in view of adoption at the 43rd Standing Committee, meeting at the end of 2023. ssh/nn/

Photo: MIA