26 August 2018 - Lake Plav, the largest glacial lake in Montenegro, which has been neglected for decades, is at the turning point when it comes to its existence. The surface area and depth of the Lake Plav are getting reduced over time, and it is estimated that in 50 years the lake will disappear completely unless the protection and prevention process begins immediately. The study of the revitalization and protection of the Lake Plav has been made in order to prevent further threats. Also, there are numerous warnings from the Plav Municipality that the neglect of Lake Plav could delay the process of Montenegrin Accession to the European Union, according to Anadolu Agency.
Lake Plav is located in the northeastern part of Montenegro, in the municipality of Plav, at 906 meters above sea level and is the largest lake in Montenegro. The surface area of Plav Lake is two square kilometers, and it is one of the most beautiful lakes in the Balkans. The lake is especially attractive during summer months, during which a large number of locals from Plav, as well as tourists, enjoy the rafts on this lake.
The lake is supplied with water from river Ljuča, which brings down the cold and clear snow waters from Prokletije to Plav Valley. Waters from the well-known Alipaša Springs, through this river, also find their way to the Plav Lake. Here is not the end of the road from the waters of Prokletije, because the lake gives life to a strong and fast river Lim, through which water from the lake continues its path further to river Drina.
Still, a beautiful story about this lake has its dark side. For decades, the lake has been diminishing, which is the result of the natural process, but also the effects of the human factor. The parts of the lake that were formerly used as a swimming area are now covered with reed and weeds. These parts of the lake are slowly turning into meadows, and in some places, as is the case with the shore near the docks, the grass from the shore towards the center of the lake has caught a belt about 50 meters wide, and in some areas even more. The study of revitalization and protection of Lake Plav, which was done in late July, should answer the questions of sustainability of this tourist attraction in the northeast of Montenegro.
The local government representatives are optimistic that the lake will be preserved. They say that Lake Plav has great potential in the aspects of the development of the city Plav.
Nihad Canović, vice president of Plav Municipality, in a statement for Anadolu Agency, says that revitalization should begin as soon as possible.
"Lake Plav should be preserved because it is a pearl of nature, with an exceptional tourist, and therefore a commercial potential, and without it, Plav will lose his physiognomy by which it is recognized. What we all agree on is that the Lake Plav represents the development potential of the municipality as well the complete region and it is necessary to start with revitalization as soon as possible. Revitalization that would involve protection, rehabilitation and ultimately valorization of the lake is urgently necessary,” says Canovic.
He pointed out that in addition to erosion processes that have reduced its surface and volume by three times, the human factor also has a major impact on the current state of the lake.
"A great damage is caused by the waste and wastewater that end up in the lake as well as unplanned construction on the shores of the lake. In the following period, the local administration will more actively focus on the aforementioned problems in order to return the Lake Plav to its previous state and to fully put the existing development potentials into function of further progress of Plav Municipality,” says Canović.
Lake Plav is the very key for the development of tourism within the Plav Municipality. A large number of tourists from all around the world visit this lake during the year. The local tourist organization is very well aware of the significance of the lake for Plav’s tourism. Edin Jadadić, director of the Tourist Organization Plav, says that Plav Lake has been the main symbol of the city of Plav for decades, and that it is certain that the disappearance of the lake would render the whole city and the surrounding area, as well as the whole regional ambiance at the foot of Prokletije incomplete.
"It is needless to talk about the importance of the Lake Plav for all citizens of Plav and its tourist potential for the Northern Montenegro. In addition to the locals, the lake is visited on daily basis by the citizens of neighboring municipalities who come for a stroll on its shores, as well as to ride boats, fish or swim. For numerous visitors from abroad who come to Plav and Prokletije, the lake is a must-visit destination. I must add that the European Championship in fly-fishing will be held on the Lake Plav next year. In addition to the lake, the tournament will also be organized on river Ljuča that flows into the lake, and on river Lim, which springs from the lake,” says Jadadić.
"Although until now the problems that the lake is facing have been neglected, I do not think it is not too late, but only if the work on lake preservation continues, and if the development of the Study of the revitalization and protection of the Lake Plav is not the last move on the subject. That was the first step and the work must not stop at that. Unfortunately, the Municipality of Plav is not able to solve this problem alone, and therefore, most of the work will fall to the state and line ministries, because the execution of the foreseen works on lake protection will cost several million euros,” said Jadadić.
This will all be a big challenge for Montenegro, which has not yet opened the negotiating chapter 27, which refers to the environmental issues.
"At this moment, the most important thing is that we have systematically begun to take care of the Lake Plav. Our hopes remain that this process will continue and that we all give our contribution as much as we can. We dread that in a few years, when we are on the threshold of joining the EU, this environmental problem will still remain unresolved and that it would lead to postponing Montenegro's EU Accession. Therefore, we shouldn’t delay the issue related to the protection of Lake Plav, since necessary actions can be done in due time, to the satisfaction of all,” Jadadić is optimistic.
Experts working on the revitalization and protection of the Lake Plav believe that certain controlled interventions should preserve the biodiversity and the flow of the lake and prevent further diminishment. If this is not done, it is estimated that in 50 to 100 years, Lake Plav would turn into a swamp, or even a puddle.
