The Government at Tuesday’s session adopted a report on the situation with the brown bear (Ursus arctos L.), a protected species regarding which there is a permanent ban on hunting in place, as well as the increasing damage that this species causes to the property and goods of the citizens in the country, reports news agency MIA.

The Government has tasked competent institutions with taking concrete measures.

The Ministry of Environment and Physical Planning is to develop an action plan within 12 months on brown bear management on the territory of the Republic of North Macedonia, the Government said in a press release.

“The Ministry of Environment and Physical Planning is tasked with making an analysis of the region within three months for setting up a team on large carnivores, and reporting to the Government of the Republic of North Macedonia. Also, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Economy, the Ministry of Environment and Physical Planning in cooperation with institutions are tasked with submitting within three months recommendations for possible relocation/transfer of the brown bears,” reads the press release.

In addition, the director of the Crisis Management Center is tasked with organizing the coordination of the activities of the institutions in implementing the measures, organizing and conducting controls over their implementation, as well as recommending new measures in addition to those adopted and recommended by the competent institutions for creating conditions to reduce the sightings of brown bear (Ursus arctos L.) in urban settlements.