The Gadime Cave becomes a protected zone

On January 22nd 2016, the government decided through decision 05/71 to make the Gadime Zone in the municipality of Lipjan, an area of 4280 hectares, a Special Protected Zone. The newly protected area will be incorporated in the Zonal Map of Kosovo, as a special zone with specific attributes that requires special organisational regime to use and protect.  This will be done through the Spatial Plan for Specific Zones; a plan that will correctly determine the borders of this protected zone. The government’s goal through this decision is to stop all other activities and developments in the zone.  

Several years ago, in 2009, the government decided to put the Gadime Caves under the institutional care of the Republic of Kosovo (decision 04/57). After the decision, the government tried to retire the management activity of Mr. Nazif Tasholli, the responsible Gadime Cave manager, who has been reporting to the Kosovo Trust Agency. The decision is based on Article 25, paragraph 1 of the Law on Nature Protection. The law authorizes the government to determine rules, criteria and procedures through secondary legislation as well as the rights and responsibilities for the use of Caves.  However, the media reports that Mr. Tasholli has continued to perform his duties until 2014, refusing to cooperate with the responsible authorities.

In 2005, the Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning has taken a decision to stop all activities within 3 km of the Cave, that could damage the cave or the environment in general. However, the decisions of 2005 and 2009 have not shown any results of implementation and control in this protected area by the ministry.

It is yet to be seen whether the new decision will be implemented. When the decision enters into force, all the activities and developments affecting the specific attributes of the Cave will be stopped.  The Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning and the Municipality of Lipjan are the responsible authorities to implement the decision.