Local Authorities Tackle 800-Ton Illegal Tire Dump Near Orjen

The Municipality of Orjen is taking significant steps to address an environmental crisis involving over 800 tons of illegally dumped tires located in the foothills of the Orjen mountain. During a recent meeting, local officials agreed to develop a project aimed at securing funding from the Eko-fund for the removal of this hazardous waste. Additionally, the Agency for Environmental Protection will conduct a study to safeguard the Blue Cave, a local natural landmark.

The urgency of the situation was highlighted by Ivana Otović, the Vice President of the Municipality. He emphasized that the accumulation of waste tires at the boundary of the Orjen Nature Park poses a serious ecological threat that has persisted for an extended period.

“As a local government, we have a clear intention to start resolving this problem,” Otović stated. “The support from the Agency for Environmental Protection has been commendable. Our task now is to prepare a project proposal to apply for funds to commence the removal of these illegally disposed tires. It is crucial that we address all ecological challenges in our municipality.”

Otović elaborated that while the local administration has undertaken various environmental initiatives with positive feedback, the challenges remain significant due to inherited issues that require substantial effort to resolve. He noted that waste management is not a strength at the national level. The imminent accession of Montenegro to the European Union imposes a responsibility to manage waste responsibly and conscientiously.

“I believe that direct communication with the Agency for Environmental Protection will assist us greatly in discussing the existing problems in our city,” Otović added.

Protection of the Blue Cave

Regarding the protection of the Blue Cave, Otović mentioned that a contract will soon be signed with the Agency for Environmental Protection for the creation of a protective study for this site. The draft budget for the Municipality’s 2026 fiscal year allocates €28,000 for this purpose.

“The Blue Cave is a natural monument that, regrettably, is not recognized in any legal acts of the Montenegrin government,” Otović pointed out. “At the same time, it is a significant tourist attraction, so we must consider it from multiple perspectives. This study is precisely what we have sought through previous Assembly conclusions. All local stakeholders have participated in this process, and I trust the outcome will be very positive.”

Community Engagement and Environmental Awareness

The Arhus Caravan initiative promotes environmental awareness across all municipalities in Montenegro. It is designed to address pressing ecological issues, with waste management being identified as a critical topic.

Bojana Obradović from the Agency for Environmental Protection remarked that the initiative aims to enhance the implementation of the Arhus Convention at the local level, encouraging citizens to actively engage in local environmental initiatives.

“Citizens have the right to inquire about any environmental protection issues,” Obradović stated. “We have focused on waste management, illegal dumps, and tire storage and disposal. Moving forward, we will collaborate with all relevant stakeholders involved in the Arhus Caravan initiative to determine how best to collectively address these challenges.”

The Arhus Convention, established by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, defines the rights of individuals and civil society organizations related to environmental matters. It ensures that citizens have access to environmental information held by public authorities, the opportunity to participate in environmental decision-making processes, and the right to seek justice if their rights concerning access to information or public participation are violated.