In the capital, after last year's fires that also affected the surrounding areas, there is increasing talk about preserving and improving green spaces. While authorities are announcing new measures, citizens have a divided opinion.
However, experts warn that the consequences of the fires are not negligible and that their impact is felt both on the microclimate and on the quality of the soil.
"In the past fires, we lost forests in Piperi and Kuči, and although these are lower-level forests, they still have a significant impact on our microclimate, water retention, and soil erosion," said Vujisić.
In order to accelerate the recovery of nature, the Ministry of Ecology, in cooperation with the Capital City and the civil sector, is launching a systematic greening campaign. The start of implementation is planned for April and May. The focus will be on difficult-to-access terrain, where drones will be used for the first time to scatter seeds.
"Often the seedlings we plant now, which are large, they can't withstand the hot summers, the success rate is very low, and when you throw the seeds, they find their way to the ground, so that's the best method, and given our mentality, it's better to do the job with a drone than to dig through the karst with a hoe," said Vujisić.
This approach can provide longer-term results and increase the success of vegetation restoration, especially in conditions of pronounced climate change, Vujisić points out.
"We are now stepping outside the jurisdiction of the Forestry Administration because we will be working on areas that may not be managed as forests, and there will also be work on private properties and the restoration of orchards and vineyards and everything that these people lost in the fires," said Vujisić.
If the plans are implemented as announced, the results could be visible in the coming seasons, says Vujisić, adding that the upcoming ecological campaign represents not only the restoration of burned areas, but also a test of the state's ability to respond to the increasingly pronounced consequences of climate change in a modern and sustainable manner.
