Consultancy services for Valorisation study for proclamation of Belchishta Wetland as a protected area
- 11 October 2021 -
Period of implementation: 1 June 2020 – 31 May 2022
Funded by: Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF)
The project focuses on the Belchishta Wetland, part of the Catchment Management Zone – Lake Ohrid catchment. (KBA: MKD10). Belchishta Wetland is one of the largest surviving water habitats of this kind in North Macedonia, covering a surface of approximately 137 hectares with flooding forests and humid habitats. It is located in the Municipality of Debrtsa between the villages Novo Selo and Belchista, about 18,5 km north of Lake Ohrid.
The project will be based on the best international practices for protection and promotion of wetland-friendly alternative livelihoods and initiatives, sustainable wetland monitoring and surveillance, conservation education and continuing networking, resource mobilization and capacity building of Debrtsa’s municipal authorities and volunteers for long-term wetland management. This will be achieved by the following:
- Inventories’ assessment of the key species/habitats in Belchishta Wetland;
- Valorization study;
- Development of small infrastructure in support of sustainable tourism;
- Training for municipality officials and local stakeholders and
- Communication, education and public awareness raising
