Broj: 75\/26
Podgorica, 01.07.2026.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To:\u00a0<\/strong> Subject: Urgent call to prohibit sanitary and salvage logging in Prokletije National Park<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Introduction<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n We, the undersigned civil society organizations, scientific experts, and concerned members of the public, express our deep concern regarding plans and ongoing initiatives to conduct sanitary and salvage logging within Prokletije National Park, as well as in other national parks. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Prokletije represents one of the most ecologically valuable and least disturbed mountain ecosystems in Europe. As a protected area of national importance and part of the wider Dinaric biodiversity hotspot, the park plays a crucial role in safeguarding forests, wildlife habitats, water resources, and climate resilience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While sanitary logging is often justified as a forest health measure in commercially managed forests, extensive scientific evidence demonstrates that logging interventions in protected forests of protected areas such as national parks frequently cause great ecological damage to the subject of conservation such as rare and endangered species, forest continuity and long term ecological resilience. Applying salvage logging within the core zones of our wildest national park could lead to the loss of recognition of these territories according to the IUCN standards for being considered a national park.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For this reason, we call on the official institutions to immediately halt any sanitary or salvage logging operations within the territory of Prokletije National Park and to prioritize conservation-based forest management.<\/p>\n\n\n\n KEY CONCERNS:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 1. Protected areas must prioritize natural processes<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n National parks are established primarily to protect ecosystems and allow natural dynamics to occur without human interference. Dead wood, fallen trees, and natural disturbances, including the bark beetle itself, are integral parts of forest ecosystems and contribute to biodiversity, soil formation, and nutrient cycling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 2. Dead wood is essential for biodiversity<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Scientific research shows that up to one third of forest species depend on dead wood habitats, including insects, fungi, birds, and mammals. Removing such material through salvage logging significantly reduces habitat availability for many rare and protected species.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 3. Sanitary logging often masks commercial timber extraction<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Across Europe, \u201csanitary\u201d or \u201csalvage\u201d logging has frequently been used as a mechanism to extract timber from protected forests under the justification of forest health. This practice risks undermining the conservation purpose of national parks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 4. Logging infrastructure causes long-term ecosystem damage<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Even limited logging operations require heavy machinery, road access, and timber transport, which can lead to soil erosion, forest fragmentation, and disturbance to wildlife\u2014impacts that persist for decades.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 5. Prokletije forests are particularly sensitive ecosystems<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The forests of Prokletije are characterized by old-growth stands, steep terrain, and high biodiversity values. Interventions in such landscapes carry a heightened risk of destabilizing fragile ecological systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 6. Climate resilience depends on intact forests<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Undisturbed forests are among the most effective natural carbon sinks and play a key role in regulating local climate and water cycles. Removing biomass from protected forests diminishes forest carbon stocks, undermines humus formation, reduces water holding capacity, and contradicts Montenegro\u2019s climate and biodiversity commitments. <\/p>\n\n\n\n 7. International conservation commitments<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Montenegro has committed to protecting biodiversity through international frameworks, including the Convention on Biological Diversity and European conservation initiatives. Allowing logging in national parks undermines these commitments and weakens the credibility of protected area management.<\/p>\n\n\n\n OUR REQUESTS<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n In light of the above concerns, we respectfully call on the official institutions to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n CONCLUSION<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Prokletije National Park represents a natural heritage of exceptional value for Montenegro and for Europe. Decisions taken today will determine whether its forests remain resilient, biodiverse, and ecologically functional for generations to come, and whether the area continues to be internationally recognized as a national park according to international standards\u2014or risks losing that status and the credibility associated with this globally respected designation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We therefore urge the responsible institutions to act in accordance with the core mission of national parks: the protection of nature and natural processes, and to refrain from authorizing logging activities that could compromise these values.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Protecting Prokletije is not only an environmental responsibility\u2014it is a commitment to future generations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Government of Montenegro<\/strong>
Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Northern Development<\/strong>
Public Enterprise National Parks of Montenegro<\/strong>
Environmental Protection Agency<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
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