Major Cleanup of the Lovnička River
On June 1st, members of the NGO Bijeli Ljiljan, in collaboration with NVO EkoGard and residents of Gornja Lovnica and Ćosovica, successfully carried out a large-scale project to clean up the Lovnička River. This initiative brought together a significant number of conscientious citizens, organizations, and clubs who contributed their efforts to restoring the river’s former beauty.
Project Details
Scope of Work:
The cleanup operation covered the entire river, starting from its source, with active participation from the residents of Gornja and Donja Lovnica, Hurije, and surrounding communities. Locals joined the effort to clean sections of the river near their homes.
Resources Provided:
Organizers supplied all necessary equipment, including bags, gloves, and machinery, and provided lunch for participants, thanks to the support of the Municipality of Rožaje.
Logistics:
The event began with a gathering at the town square at 9:00 AM, followed by the cleanup, starting near the fish restaurant in Gornja Lovnica.
Collaboration and Advocacy
In addition to the cleanup, organizers made a formal request to the local utility company to install more waste containers in Ćosovica and Gornja Lovnica. A recommendation was also made to enclose the containers with fencing to prevent waste from spilling into the river.
Impact and Achievements
- Community Engagement:
The project engaged a wide range of participants, including local organizations, clubs, and residents, fostering a strong sense of community responsibility. - Environmental Restoration:
The Lovnička River was restored to its natural beauty, serving as an example of how collective action can lead to meaningful environmental change. - Awareness Raising:
The project emphasized the importance of preserving natural resources and highlighted the need for regular river cleanups as an essential practice for a healthier environment.
Conclusion and Next Steps
This project marks a significant milestone in raising awareness about the need to protect our natural environment. While the challenge of recurring pollution remains, the success of this initiative shows that excuses like “it will be littered again” should not hinder efforts toward a cleaner and healthier ecosystem.
Next Steps:
- Organize regular river cleanup initiatives.
- Collaborate further with local authorities to implement waste management solutions.
- Continue to raise awareness within the community about the importance of environmental preservation.
✨ Together, we restored the Lovnička River’s former glory and demonstrated that through collective effort, we can achieve great changes.
