The project "Development of Master Plan for Remediation of Environmental Hotspots / Black Spots in Bosnia and Herzegovina"

 

A meeting on the implementation of the Project "Development Master Plan for Remediation of Environmental Hotspots / Black Spots in Bosnia and Herzegovina" was held today in Sarajevo. The Leader of the Project is the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations together with corresponding ministries of the FBiH and RS, with the support of the Government of Japan through the JICA Project (the Japan International Cooperation Agency).

The development of the document entitled "Master Plan for Remediation / Cleaning of Hot Spots in Bosnia and Herzegovina" was launched by the Japanese Government in 2010 with the main aim to create a Plan for Sustainable Management and Environmental Treatment of Hot Spots in BiH, namely the northeastern part of the Federation of BiH and the eastern part of the RS. The proposed Hotspots / Black Spots of the projects are, in the Federation of BiH: “Polihem” Tuzla (treatment of salt waste after electrolysis); Manufacturing plant in Lukavac (white salts); Tuzla power plant (slag), Iron mine in Vares (ferrous waste); in the RS: Modrica Oil Refinery (sludge); “Birac” Zvornik (red mud), Thermal Power Plants Ugljevik and Gacko (ash).

 

Lack of infrastructure for environmental protection in Bosnia and Herzegovina, such as wastewater treatment, air pollution monitoring, industrial and municipal wastes indicate an unsatisfactory state of the environment, which resulted in the development of "hot spots" that directly affect human health and the ecosystem. Bosnia and Herzegovina does not have a systematic approach and method for identifying, solving and remediation of environmental hot spots. Therefore, the project aims to strengthen the administrative capacity of relevant organizations in Bosnia and Herzegovina in policy-making in environmental management. This project provides direct assistance in meeting environmental requirements, preparation of environmental policies, strengthening the administrative environmental capacities and organizations in the field of environmental protection in order to achieve the principles of sustainable development.

In the implementation of the project, which will last two years, the Project Steering Committee shall be formed, which will comprise representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations / Department of Environmental Protection, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Environment and Tourism of the Federation of BiH, Ministry of Spatial Planning, Civil Engineering and Ecology of the RS and representatives of municipalities in which hot spots / black spots are located, with the aim of coordinating and monitoring the implementation of the overall project. Coordination of all activities in the project shall be led by MOFTER / Department of Environmental Protection. This institution shall also chair the Project Steering Committee.

Preparation of Master Plan for priority Hotspots in BiH is also an important condition for the integration process of BiH towards the EU. The project will contribute to meeting the obligations defined in the medium terms priorities of the European Partnership in the environment sector. It is expected that this project will have a positive impact on the general public health.

                                                       Department of Public Relations
                                                               Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations

                                                                                                      BiH