Resource information
The National Forest Policy of Montenegro is a national sectoral policy whose main objectives are: a) to ensure and improve long-term resistance and productivity of forests and other ecosystems; b) to ensure the maintenance of plant and animal species; c) to ensure sustainable forest administration and sustainable implementation of social, economic and environmental forest functions; d) to ensure the contribution of forests to social and economic development of rural areas; e) to ensure long-term development and competitiveness of wood industry. The document is based upon the following principles: ecoogical and socio-economic sustainability; ecosystem approach to forest management; synergy among forest functions; precautionary principle; participation and cooperation of all stakeholders; monitoring and evaluation of work.The Policy aims at ensuring sustainability and productivity of forest resources through good practices of forest management. All interventions relevant to forests will be planned and implemented with the lowest possible risk of damage to forest resources, biodiversity, environment and people. Environmental protection measures will be integrated into forest administration and management plans. Forest habitats and biodiversity will be maintained and improved. The share of high-productive forests will be increased. Devastated forests will be reconstructed. Production of non-timber plant products will be increased. Forest fauna will be improved and growing of native species especially fruit trees will be intensified. New protected forest areas will be established and the existing protected areas will be maintained. Sylviculture activities and utilization of forests will be intensified. The conditions for wild fauna in forest ecosystems will be improved and the number of game and protected species will be increased through establishing regular monitoring systems and establishing coordination of forestry and hunting in the integral forest management. Sustainable harvesting of non-timber forest products such as medicinal plans, mushrooms, forest fruits, honey and others will be ensured. The current size of forest land will be maintained and ensured that forest areas will not expand in areas of agricultural activity. In addition to preserve landscapes protect habitats or to ensure protection against fires, some forest areas will be brought back to their traditional agricultural use.The Policy states that forests have a significant role in rural development and the eradication of rural poverty. Within this context, all stakeholders will be involved in the decision-making process of forestry policy, planning and management. Forestry will be included in rural development programmes. Associations of harvesters of non-timber products and foresters will be established. Advice, assistance and training will be provided. Traditional rights to use forest resources will be respected. The production of non-timber products will be increased to generate income for the local population.The Government will provide support and services to private forest owners and entrepreneurship in forestry will be promoted. In addition, support will be given to marketing of timber from private forests and non-timber forest products, so as to optimize income for the State and private owners. Communication between forest administration and owners based on partnership will be improved. A system of incentives for forest owners will be established including services such as free-off-charge forest management planning and subsidies for revitalization, sylviculture and construction of forest roads. A clear definition of ownership will be provided. Forest Geographic Information System, a forest information system and a database will be established with free access to data for the owners and public access to information. Opportunities will be created for local communities to make use of wider functions of private and State forests. Market stability will be ensured through regulated marketing of timber from State forests. A unit for monitoring market trends and encouraging market transparency will be established. Sufficient access of small processors and new actors to timber market will be ensured. The redevelopment of wood industry based on the local timber will be encouraged. To this end, associations of wood processing industry will be established, modern technical standards will be introduced and exporting of final wood products will be supported. It will be ensured that forest exploitation contracts comply with forest management and socio-economic goals. The national FSC will set standards, certify and label forest products. Private forest owners associations and wood industry associations will be established. Further actions include development of human resources, scientific research and financial aid for research and education in forestry.Fire protection areas will be established by clearing land from forest vegetation. Other fire preventive measures will be taken such as cultivation of broadleaved and mixed stands, distancing forests from settlements and installation of water tanks. Timber products will be promoted as a construction material and as a source of energy because timber is an environment friendly construction material and an energy source which reduces CO2 emissions. The Policy states that forests have a significant role in mitigation and adaptation to climate change.The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management will be responsible for monitoring the implementatio of this Policy. The Ministry also includes an inspectorate for forestry and hunting. A National Forestry Council and Councils within municipal forest administrations will be established. The Ministry will also build institutional capacity and human resources to participate successfully in international dialogue and cooperation on these matters.
