CNVP Kosovo joined the Ministry of Environment, Spatial Planning and Infrastructure (MESPI), and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development (MAFRD), in co-organizing an event in the mountains of Sharr in Dragash to mark the International Mountain Day under the theme “Women move mountains”.

The deputy minister of Environment in Kosovo, Spatial Planning and Infrastructure, Linda Çavderbasha said that institutions of Kosovo are continuously trying to create the best policies and laws for the protection of mountains and nature, as well as the most rational use of natural resources, in order to help the communities living in the mountainous areas.

The Ambassador of Sweden in Kosovo, Jonas Westerlund emphasized that Sweden continues to support Kosovo with several projects in the field of environmental and nature protection, and is dedicated to cooperate and support in the future Kosovo’s institutions in the field of environmental protection.

The mayor of Dragash, Behxhet Xheladini thanked MESPI, MAFRD, the Embassy of Sweden, CNVP  and civil society organizations for organizing this event to raise awareness on the values that the mountains of Sharr in Dragash, including the Sharri National Park plays for the country.

Speaking on the event, the CNVP Environment & Community Development advisor, Sebiha Ramaxhiku emphasized that CNVP since 2009 with the support of the Embassy of Sweden is implementing activities which are focused on economic, social and environmental development of the community leaving near mountains and forests, by development of forest products through forest regeneration and revitalization, development of non-wood forest products and development of wood biomass as a source of energy for heating, thus influencing the protection of the environment.

“In all these activities women have played a crucial role and brought the change to the community leaving in rural areas. On the International Day of Mountain, we believe that together we can make positive changes for the sustainable development of the mountains and improve the lives of the people, especially by promoting the economic and environmental values of these resources, which are the wealth of our country”, said Ramaxhiku.

Related to the theme of this year, two well-known women climbers, Uta Ibrahimi and Mrika Nikci, were honored for their role in promotion globally Kosovo’s mountain and natural values of the country. The photographer Arian Mavriqi and the videographer Blerdi Malushi were also honored for promoting the natural resources of Kosovo.

The event was enriched with different activities including tasting of the forest products of CNVP partners in the region of Sharr, presentation of the movie “Run for Sharr”, demonstration of equipment for climbing, discussions on the current potential that Sharr Mountains provide for tourism in Kosovo etc.