Public Participation of Sustainable Land Resources Management in Hilly Mountainous Area of Grdelica's Gorge

by Miodrag Zlatić, Stanimir Kostadinov and Nada Dragović ^[1]

abstract of article presented at the XII International Conference "Danube - River of Cooperation" (October, 11-14 2001) and published in Danubius 1-2/2001

Considering the number of floods, torrents, land use and eroded areas Grdelica's Gorge was one of the most endangered regions of erosion processes in Europe at the mid fifties. In this respect, the reach of Grdelica's Gorge should be emphasized as the part of the Juzna Morava River Watershed, where along 27 km of the receiving stream there are 137 torrential flows. All the consequences of erosion have led population to poverty and migration. Nowdays, it appears necessity to organize production around the principles of soil management for sustainability, which should include economic sustainability.

Non Government Organization "CEKOR - Center for Ecology and Sustainable Development" has undertaken project: "Grdelica's Gorge 2000 - Public Participation in Decision Making of Sustainable Land Resources Management", financed by REC (Regional Environment Center for Mid and East Europe, situated in vicinity of Budapest, Hungary). This cooperative project included activities on public participation in decision making of sustainable soil management through the participation of local population (citizens of village Grdelica), then participation of enterprises (Cooperative "Grdelica") and local government (Regional Chamber of Economy, Leskovac). It was established through direct contacts, advisory help, public informations (news: "Politika", "Novosti" and local TV in Leskovac), the questionnaire and the debate - which ended with consenzus to establish vineyard/orchard production on the steep slopes of Grdelica's Gorge. According to all this initiative, in the part of the Grdelički Rid, area of 10 hectares, the Cooperative "Grdelica" has already undertaken the preparation works. The Questionnaire about this programme, contacts and the debate showed the real interest of the public. Regional Chamber of Economy - Leskovac showed full support in accepting and revival of this project. As we are at the beginning of a new WOCAT initiative in Yugoslavia, this could be the example to preliminary show how could good approach be implemented in practice.

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