Skopje, 4 September 2025 (MIA) - It is our duty to preserve Lake Ohrid as an invaluable life resource. The well-being of the lake is not guaranteed on its own if society and institutions don’t take care of it, said President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova at an event Thursday marking the 90th anniversary since the establishment of the Hydrobiological Institute in Ohrid.

"We must take care of and preserve our natural beauty and rarities. They are eternal, they are ours, but also a world heritage and belong to all of humanity, not just to us. Let us make a pact with nature, let us make a pact with Lake Ohrid, and perhaps even pass a law for Ohrid, treating it as superior to us, older and more important. Let us protect and preserve it, because through it, we protect ourselves. Let us invest in ecology," Siljanovska-Davkova said.

The President called for the budget of the Hydrobiological Institute to be increased, as an institution that plays a key role in preserving the country’s water resources.

"The Hydrobiological Institute is not only the guardian of Lake Ohrid. It is also dedicated to the other two jewels of Macedonia’s aquatic treasure: Lake Prespa and Lake Dojran. We have a generational obligation to ensure the uninterrupted and continuous functioning of the fundamental scientific research and educational activity in the field of biology – limnology," Siljanovska-Davkova stressed.

Speaking about the Hydrobiological Institute, Siljanovska-Davkova said it has grown into a renowned institution equipped with modern laboratory equipment. The President stressed that the Hydrobiological Institute in Ohrid is the first line of defense against climate change, the extinction of species, and water pollution.

“It is an open secret that freshwater as a resource is at the center of attention today, and will be crucial in the future. In fact predictions suggest that it may, or likely will, become a source of future global conflicts. We must not shut our eyes to the bitter truth of the shadows that sometimes loom over the lake: uncontrolled urbanization, pollution, improper wastewater management, the danger to the eel and its obstructed, if not entirely blocked, journey to the Sargasso Sea and back, the cutting of reeds, and the destruction of wetlands. We must not ignore any of this. The lake’s well-being is not guaranteed on its own, if society and institutions do not care for it and do not fight for it. If we continue and allow the lake to be disturbed and destroyed, we are reaching for suicide,” the President said.

The head of the Hydrobiological Institute, Orhideja Tasevska, noted that nine decades of the Institute’s existence are not just a number, but a history of commitment, effort, and scientific curiosity.

“In 1935, at a time when the science of inland waters was still in its infancy, it was right here, on the shores of Lake Ohrid that the foundations were laid for the first scientific research institute of its kind in the Balkans. Thanks to the visionary work of scientist and academician Sinisha Stankovic, a new era began in the systematic study of the lake and its rich flora and fauna, featuring numerous endemic and relict species,” Tasevska said.

Tasevska spoke about the Institute’s development over the years, assessing that it has grown into a modern scientific institution with a team of researchers who, organized into ten departments and conducting a range of studies, are building upon the work of previous generations.

“The Institute has the capacity and expertise to monitor the conditions of all natural and artificial lakes in the country, thereby providing strategic data for the management of water resources. It also actively contributes to environmental protection. Throughout its growth and development, the institution has faced many challenges and difficulties, yet it has remained a pillar of limnological research in our country. The Hydrobiological Institute stands as a symbol of our responsibility toward nature, a guardian of our greatest treasure, and a bridge that connects us to the world. On the occasion of its 90th anniversary, our mission continues with even greater dedication, guided by a vision for the future and a belief that science and nature must go hand in hand,” said the head of the Institute.

The State Advisor for Science and Innovations at the Ministry of Education and Science, Svetlana Pineva, said Mden 3 million have been secured in 2025 to continue research activities in Lake Ohrid.

Ohrid Mayor Kiril Pecakov said the Hydrobiological Institute is the foundation of scientific research on Lake Ohrid, adding that since its establishment it has carried the mission of preserving its unique flora and fauna while building a bridge between science and society.

The Hydrobiological Institute in Ohrid is the oldest Macedonian scientific research institutions, established in 1935 by academician Sinisha Stankovic.