Jevtic: Pristina doesn't allow forest logging on the Sharr Mountains and again leaves the residents of Strpce without heating

The impossibility of sanitary forest logging in the territory of the Sharr Mountains National Park represents another form of poor treatment by the central authorities in Pristina towards the citizens of the Municipality of Strpce and another form of pressure on the population, which remains without the opportunity to secure heating in time this year as well, the Mayor of this local self-government, Dalibor Jevtic warned.

He spoke at the session of the Municipal Assembly about a situation that has been repeating for the second year in a row, and that is, even though the heating season has already begun, the residents of the Municipality of Strpce have not yet been allowed to conduct sanitary forest logging in the territory of the National Park.

"In my opinion and belief, this is a political decision by the Minister of Spatial Planning and Infrastructure, with the aim of creating a dire situation in our municipality, where citizens cannot even go into their private properties and forests for firewood. This is not only another form of poor treatment by central authorities towards the citizens of the Municipality of Strpce but another form of pressure on our population in the Municipality of Strpce, at least that's how I see it, and the majority of citizens facing this problem also see it," Jevtic said.

He emphasized that he had informed representatives of the international community about this issue and pointed out that citizens would not be able to secure firewood for the upcoming winter if this decision was made late.

"The Municipality of Strpce and its leadership are not only engaged on this issue but fully stand on the side of the citizens. All the requests and concerns of citizens are our requests and concerns, and in that sense, we will do everything we can to ensure that this issue is resolved as soon as possible. However, you need to know that we are not competent in this case. For the part for which the Municipality of Strpce is responsible, for the area that does not fall under the Sharr Mountains National Park, we have completed all procedures in time, and sanitary forest logging has been allowed for this year, and we have also made a plan for the next year, 2024," Jevtic emphasized.