"Mbrojtja e pyjeve në Istog"-"The protection of forests in Istog"

The article was written in 2008 by Ismail Hetemaj, the director of the department for Agriculture, Forestation and Hydro economy of Istog, Kosova. The article depicts the phenomenon of deforestation as one of the most worrying environmental issues in the region, especially in a place such as Istog, whose main sources for economic survival are considered to be agriculture and forestry.

Furthermore, Istog consisting primarily of 19,198 hectares of wood has experienced staggering losses in its forestry structure as the amount of the illegal cutting of the trees was at a growing rate, particularly with the lack of direct means/legislation that would protect the woods. As such, the Municipality of Istog decided to take certain measures in the form of administrative orders to prevent the expansion of the environmental issue. The administrative guidelines were performed by the "Radusha" forestry corporation for the public woods, whereas the department for Agriculture, Forestry, and Hydro economy of the Municipality, controlled the private woods. Moreover, in the article you may find the main objectives of the Municipality for the maintenance of the woods and the continuous cooperation with KFOR and the KPF.

Reference:

Hetemaj (2008). Mbrojtja e pyjeve në Istog. Retrieved from http://www.unmikonline.org/albanian/pub/focuskos/june02/focuskmunaffair4.htm

“Se shpejti menaxhimi I pyjeve ju jepet komunave”-  “Forest management soon in the hands of the municipalities”

This article was published in the web site of the government of the Republic of Kosovo, in May 2010. According to this article deforestation is a worrying issue especially in the region of Dugagjin specifically in Istog, Decan, Peja including also, Ferizaj.  Moreover, there was a debate held to inform the public about the alarming factor of deforestation, where the Head of the Department of Forestry in the Ministry of Agriculture, Mr. Abazi was present.  Abazi claimed that there has been massive deforestation in Kosovo and that this occurrence is irreparable.  According to him the illegal harvesting of trees is done due to economic difficulties, but it has to be done in accordance with norms and criteria of wood chopping.  The Ministry of Agriculture officials say that the competence of managing and overseeing forests will be passed on to the municipal level. This is foreseen in the Ahtisaari package, which is legally binding and incorporated in our constitution. In this case, the municipalities are obligated to protect and use forests. Furthermore, 90 percent of forests will be in the hands of the municipality, to license wood chopping and forest management.

Reference:

Komuna e Ferizajit, Republika e Kosoves(May 2010).Se shpejti menaxhimi I pyjeve ju jepet komunave. Retrieved from:  http://kk.rks-gov.net/ferizaj/News/Se--shpejti-menaxhimi-i-pyjeve-ju-jepet-komunave.aspx