Over 12,000 members unite to prevent the degradation of Badovci Lake

So at least it is envisioned through a project that is supposed to be realised by several companies in Kosovo in order to build a neighbourhood on Lake Badovci.

Such an initiative seems right to thousands of other residents. In the group formed on the social network Facebook that's calledBadovci Lake Protection GroupOver 12,000 citizens are demanding that this project not be accomplished. It says Periscope.

This group has joined 11 thousand members in 24 hours who oppose such a project based on the idea that building the neighborhood would do damage to the lake.

This project appears to have no building permits, nor has it applied for one in Pristina's Urbanism.

“For permits have not applied and to receive one, environmental consent is needed by the Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning”, Chairman Shpend Ahmeti has said.

The acting minister of the Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning, Fatmir Matoshi, has written through a Facebook post that there is no information yet on the project in question, though he vows to act on compliance with the law.

“D of mercy to ensure all those concerned by this news, that there will be full law enforcement in terms of construction in areas near water accumulates. In my first information, the investor must also submit to environmental consent and then be defined if it is met by environmental and water safety conditions. The Republic of Kosovo has very advanced water laws, and only full implementation of them is required from all sides involved”, it has written.

Matoshi says that last year, the Impiant for the treatment of sewage for the section involving Mroor and several villages around him was released.

Various public faces from politics as well as civil society have reacted to the project in question.

Assemblyist from P DS, Nol Niushi says building the neighbourhood would be fatal since water in Badovc is used for drink.

Among other things, Nushi is surprised at how construction companies have received consent from the Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning to build the neighbourhood.

” With concern I saw media reports and social networks for building a residential complex near Lake Badovci. So far the only information is from the parties that have planned construction in that part.

Since the establishment of Lake in the 1960 ' s, no construction has taken place in the vicinity of what is being planned. In addition to being an irreplaceable source of drinking water, this lake with its features is the only such recreation space. For years this lake has been used by all indiscriminately for picnics, sports, camping, running, fishing, breaks, and various recreto-sport activities.

According to information (little), in one of the most beautiful spaces near the lake, an elite and exclusive neighbourhood is being planned. The move affects the up-to-date public and sweeping character of this space. The concrete consequence of this action will be the launch of a particular natural resources that so far was accessible to all.

Although only by the side planning construction, it is very disturbing that the Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning has already issued a favour for this construction. An issue that should be the subject of public debate has been spent in total secrecy and in a strange hurry.

Lacking laws, unclear regulations cannot be room for damaging Badovci Lake. The relevant ministry must abolish the consent granted. If that does not happen, the Pristina municipality through all legal and political opportunities should influence construction not to happen. If laws allow these spaces, we have to change the law. There are already thousands of citizens who are actively involved in this opposition. Along with citizens, municipal assembly and other local institutions, we have to do everything we can to prevent this construction from happening”, Nushi concludes.

The construction company, which has several skyscrapers in Pristina “KWA Group” and the company “4M Group” plan to build this neighborhood with houses on Lake Badoci. /Periscopi/