Landscape of Stara Planina.

Mountains Jadovnik, Ozren and Giljeva, situated in Southwest Serbia, are very diverse with different habitat types. Historical data regarding bird fauna clearly points out the high biodiversity value of this region, especially regarding species that represent conservation priorities. However, this data is relatively scarce, incoherent and greatly obsolete, giving the fact that thorough research has never been conducted in this region. Mountainous regions of Jadovnik, Ozren and Giljeva are of great importance for species, habitats and landscape diversity, both on national and international scale.

These scarcely populated areas can sustain high levels of biodiversity, especially of those species that inhabit sensitive and threatened habitats such as limestone gorges, high mountain pastures and meadows and mixed deciduous and coniferous forests. They also provide the local community with valuable ecosystem services such as sustainable forestry, variety of medicinal plants, clean drinking water but also show great potential in development of sustainable animal husbandry, sport fishing, ecotourism etc. These regions face a series of threats, related both to habitats and species individually, of which the most dominant are industrial development (hydropower dams, stone quarries), unsustainable forest exploitation, persecution, killing and poisoning of species.

Important Bird Area Program of the European Union is an effective tool for designation, conservation and long term protection of ecologically valuable areas, where nature conservation CSOs have a major role in collecting, processing and presenting relevant scientific data to governmental and EU institutions, various stakeholders and general public. Experience related to the implementation of this program in Serbia has shown that existing IBAs have contributed to a great effect in diminishing conservation threats for both species and habitats in general. In addition, the IBA status of a certain area provides a sound foundation for its future legal protection under national legislation.

Working together with people from the local communities and local CSOs we will develop a network of activists that will aid us in carrying out project activities, especially in lobbying for future protection of these areas. Furthermore, this project will serve as a positive example of nature conservation in Serbia and motivate other environmental CSOs to undertake similar initiatives and conservation efforts.