MNECO is the Center for Environmental Promotion, Ecological Preservation, Rural Development, Research, Education and Culture related to the Environment with the goal of creating positive environmental impacts in society at national and international levels. |
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It has been said that the best method of education is to teach by example. This is at the core of what we in MNECO believe. By co-operating with and educating local people that it is in their interests to protect their environment, we are convinced that we will make a difference and help to protect what is uniquely given to us here in the Balkans. Although the job is large, we do not want for enthusiasm and commitment and we are confident that environment will be begin to be seen by people as an important and valuable resource as well as a precious heritage to be handed onto the next generation.
About South-Eastern Europe
The environmental situation on the ground of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, Macedonia exhibit the classic symptoms of post-communist societies:- low awareness amongst the population of sustainable practices and of the importance of ecology; inadequate practices of the industry sector in ensuring cleaner production and more efficient waste management; pollution, hazardous materials neutralization; lack of control and management of development in rural zones resulting in devastation; no control in resources management (water, forest, mines,…) and administrative systems unfriendly toward end users in many instances, et cetera.
The potential for Sustainability, however, is huge: in most of the area, small numbers of large industrial complexes due to slow technological advancement under Communism; quite a number of rural communities (although decreasing rapidly) located in pristine beauty and still living according to the ancient practices (this is to be particularly observed in some areas of Bosnia and Herzegovina, certain parts of Serbia and northern Montenegro); many of these larger outmoded factories are closing down due to the global economic crisis and their inability to compete on prices and people should be encouraged to go back to domestic production; Montenegro is importing much more than producing; there is most fertile land in the Balkans that is under-utilised and the emphasis should be eco-wise production methods in the future; regional tourism has yet much more to discover in terms of environment friendly travelling and management, and so on.
About Montenegro, from where we operate:
The diverse variety of Montenegrin natural beauty encompasses stunning 170 miles of coastline in the South and breathtaking mountains rapidly increasing in their beauty while heading toward the North. Considered by many as a hidden gem of Europe, Montenegro is still unpolluted, natural resources still largely preserved and crying out for attention to preserve, sustain and develop the synergy between people and environment in order to establish and sustain ecological ways of living.
Montenegro really is a hidden gem. Along its dramatic coastline are the old towns of Budva and Kotor as well as charming resorts such as Petrovac. But travelling inland away from the coast, the country really does live upto its reputation as a place of 'wild beauty', with its pine-clad mountains and deep valleys. Zabljak in the Durmitor National Park is an excellent base for skiing in the winter and in the summer mountain biking, hiking, jeep safari and white water rafting in the Tara Canyon ( the biggest in Europe and second only to the Grand Canyon in the world!). Also nearby is the Biogradska Gora National Park. This mystical place is one of 3 remaining primeval virgin forests left in Europe. Unchanged for over 10,000 years it provides a rare chance to experience how Europe looked before the arrival of man. Other places worth mentioning are Skadar Lake (an ornithologists dream !) and the cliff face Ostrog Monastry. All this and you are less than 2 hours from the coast! As Lord Byron wrote, 'At the birth of our planet, the most beautiful encounter between the land and the sea must have happened at the coast of Montenegro. When the pearls of nature were sown, handfuls of them were cast on this soil.'
Stephen Passant, UK (Mar 06)
Article source: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/letters/eur/yug_pc.htm
MNECO is centrally involved in campaigns to protect eco systems and educate diversity, the reform MNECO is at the forefront of environmental campaigns on conservation, education and environmental management. The theme of what we are protecting and promoting is beyond borders and so is our activity. Please look at the projects section of this website for more information. It is dynamically being updated and is a part of various platform for easy access and interaction between readers and writers.
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