With 66 votes in favor, the lawmakers passed Wednesday a bill granting Shar Mountain the status of national park thus making a historic decision.
By passing of the bill, the country, after 60 years, got a new national park, fourth in North Macedonia.
According to the Ministry of Environment and Physical Planning, by declaring Shar Mountain a national park it received a status of area under protection and enabled the establishment of a system for sustainable management of the area which is a treasury of biodiversity, home to two thirds of all plant species in the country and rich and endemic flora and fauna. The national park has exceptional natural beauties, geodiversity, hydrological features, landscape and cultural values.
According to Environment Minister Naser Nuredini, the passing of the bill opens new opportunities.
“I expect that with this step we open a new page and new opportunities, not only for the protection of our natural heritage, but also for sustainable socio-economic development of the area and the country, for the establishment of wider cross-border cooperation, for use of new funding opportunities and the development of local brands and various forms of tourism. I congratulate the citizens for this historic success. This is a big step that has provided great benefits for all of us, but also for future generations,” Nuredini said.
