As part of the “Local Communities for Cleaner WATERS” initiative, an environmental cleanup campaign was organized in Podgorica on the occasion of International Coastal Cleanup Day, focusing on the banks of the Sitnica River and its tributaries – Sutinski Potok and Gornje Počivalo – in the area of the Beri local community. The campaign brought together participants and local residents with the shared goal of preserving watercourses, improving environmental conditions, and raising awareness of the importance of responsible water resource management.
The activity was carried out within the framework of the “Local Communities for Cleaner WATERS” initiative, launched and financially supported by the Water Administration of Montenegro, in cooperation with five Montenegrin municipalities and with the support of the project “Municipalities for the EU – Empowering Local Governments in the European Integration Process.” The campaign in Podgorica was organized by the Secretariat for Spatial Planning and Sustainable Development of the Capital City of Podgorica, with the aim of improving riverbanks and creating better conditions for the preservation of natural resources at the local level.
During the campaign, significant amounts of waste and vegetation that had obstructed the natural flow of water and negatively affected the condition of the riverbed were removed. Participants cleaned the banks of the Sitnica River and its tributaries, while the collected waste was prepared for transportation and disposal. Particular attention was paid to removing obstacles that could negatively affect water flow, especially during periods of heavy rainfall.
In addition to cleaning the watercourses, further activities were undertaken to prevent illegal waste disposal and improve the surrounding area. Informational signs were installed at the site to remind citizens of the importance of preserving the natural environment, along with two benches intended for visitors to rest and enjoy the area. A particularly valuable aspect of these installations is that both the signs and benches were made from recycled waste materials, further highlighting the importance of material reuse and responsible waste management.
The campaign holds multiple benefits for the local community. In addition to improving the appearance of the riverbanks and contributing to environmental protection, removing waste and vegetation from the riverbed also represents an important preventive measure in reducing flood risks. It is particularly significant that the cleanup was carried out ahead of a period of heavier rainfall, when the unobstructed flow of water becomes especially important for protecting the surrounding area.
The Secretariat for Spatial Planning and Sustainable Development of the Capital City of Podgorica expressed its gratitude to all participants and local residents whose engagement contributed to the successful implementation of the activity, emphasizing the importance of joint efforts in preserving the city’s water resources.
The campaign in Podgorica once again demonstrated that river protection involves more than simply removing waste. It also requires creating conditions for the long-term preservation of the natural environment, encouraging more responsible environmental behavior, and promoting greater involvement of the local community.
