Protecting bird species in Balkans
ORNIBA project started in January 2013, focusing on improvement of the protection of endangered bird species in Balkans. Through joint intervention between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro, Oxfam Italia aims to contribute to the preservation of birdlife diversity in the Adriatic flyway migration route.
The two main areas of intervention under this project are: Nature park „Hutovo blato“ in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Tivat Salina in Montenegro. There are 346 bird species residing temporarily or permanently in these two locations.
This cross-border cooperation project is implemented by Oxfam Italia, with partners from Bosnia and Herzegovina – Ornithological Association „Nase ptice“ and NGO „Novi val“, while the main partner in Montenegro is CZIP (Centre for protection and study of Montenegrin birds), with support from Tivat municipality.
The project is financed by European Union, through the cross-border cooperation facility, for the duration of 24 months.
Based on the scientific data gathered the project team will establish main areas of intervention and will work on long-term effects, through capacity building in management of the protected areas, development of recommendations for birdlife legal framework to align the legislative with the European standards and requirements in both countries, awareness raising campaigns on importance of bird species protection (and bird watching tourism as an alternative source of income) in policy makers, hunters, local community and other stakeholders, as well as establishment of the watchdog network through local NGOs involved in environmental protection.
