A team of 15 runners, environmentalists, nature-lovers, activists, government officials, packed their gear and set out to for a long run from the Luboten peak and all the way to Shutmani Lake, covering more than 80km and climbing close to 7000m D+. Their goal was to enjoy the gift that the nature offered, but more importantly, to raise awareness that the Sharr Mountains need to be protected right now, at all cost.
For years, large swaths of the Sharr Mountains – an area covering 50 hectares, situated in the southern part of Kosova – were plundered and destroyed by illegal logging and hunting, and more recently by illegal dams. There are no clear estimates, but large areas with trees and many species have been lost or pushed into extinction as a result. Environmentalists have been fighting against building new dams for years, with little to almost no result. Many rivers are polluted by garbage, dead animals, and are used as dumping ground for other materials – destroying the fish and other animals, and polluting the river-areas. The current situation does not look promising: Only 18 forest guards are in charge of protecting this vast area and there is no public discussion or political will to act against the onslaught of environmental destruction by illegal actors.
For years, large swaths of the Sharr Mountains – an area covering 50 hectares, situated in the southern part of Kosova – were plundered and destroyed by illegal logging and hunting, and more recently by illegal dams. There are no clear estimates, but large areas with trees and many species have been lost or pushed into extinction as a result. Environmentalists have been fighting against building new dams for years, with little to almost no result. Many rivers are polluted by garbage, dead animals, and are used as dumping ground for other materials – destroying the fish and other animals, and polluting the river-areas. The current situation does not look promising: Only 18 forest guards are in charge of protecting this vast area and there is no public discussion or political will to act against the onslaught of environmental destruction by illegal actors.
Uta Ibrahimi, the renowned alpinist and fervent nature protector, from the Utalaya Foundation, worked together with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Adria and UN Kosovo Team (UNKT), to come up with a plan that would push the local institutions into acting to protect of the Sharr Mountains. She gathered a group of runners from Kosova and N. Macedonia, and took them in a 3-day, 80km journey through the best parts of the Sharr mountains, and documented the whole journey – which she later showed at an event.
“The Sharr mountain is my second heart, my home. The Sharr mountains made me who I am, nurtured me, made me stronger, cleared my mind and soul, made me love nature and climbing. The Sharr mountains were the catalyst for me to strive forward to achieve great goals in my life, such as climbing to the highest peaks of the World. Running is one way to make people aware of the beauty of Sharr but also to highlight the destruction that it is enduring. We ran with our hearts and in our spirits, the Sharr ran with us – you could almost feel it reverberating. We must all take care together, we must report and our institutions must condemn the constant crime, not only in the Sharr Mountains but in all our mountains”, said Uta Ibrahimi.
On Day 1, the trail took the runners from Luboten to Piribeg, a 17km stretch at an altitude of 1600D+, and stopping to camp at Brezovica. On Day 2, runners were taken to points such as Bistra, Guzhbaba, Konjushka and Black Peak, for a total 21km at an altitude of 1600D+, finishing the day at Lubinje village. Day 3 was from village of Zaplluzha and up the great peaks of Great and Small Vërtop, for a total of 26km and 1600m D+ climbs. On the last day of this stage ultra-marathon, two different activities were organized in a parallel way: the run from the village of Brod towards a climb at Vraca (24km with climbs of 1500D+); whereas the second activity was a moderate hike from Brod to Shutmani lake, guided by a professional mountain guide.
“It was an eye-opener for me to learn that around 50 thousand hectares of Sharr Mountain is protected by only 18 employees. Unfortunately, this is the consequence of a lack of financing protected areas. An issue we see in all countries in the Balkans, because environmental protection is still perceived as something that stops development when it’s the opposite. Sustainable management of protected areas is necessary since it provides opportunities for socio-economic development of local communities”, said in her opening speech the CEO of WWF Adria Nataša Kalauz.
The run was part of the project to raise awareness to raise awareness and inspire activism by protecting nature – in this case, Protected Areas of Sharr Mountains, and its resources, and to treat parks and mountains as humanity’s strongest allies in the fight against global warming. Part of the campaign that included the run, is also the short documentary of the whole journey and the specific requests that the team of experts came up with: Increasing the number of management staff and capacity, Zoning of the park, Prevention of illegal logging through sustainable forest management by protection zones, Prevention of illegal hunting/poaching, Strict supervision of constructions based on the spatial and management plan, Prohibition of the construction of hydropower plants, Preventing and monitoring of forest fires, Protection of the river basin and preventing water pollution, and Wastewater treatment and waste management.
Uta Ibrahimi, the head of the Utalaya Foundation, hopes that similar initiatives and good willed causes are contagious and can successfully raise awareness but also engage marginalized groups such as communities and different ethnic groups, and the population of rural areas, an active part of advocacy and activism of protecting national parks.
“Run for Sharr” was supported by WWF Adria and UN Kosovo – in support and promotion of SDGs. A special thanks: Green and Protein, Foto Gagi, Frutomania, Sporting, The Better Travel Co, N’bjeshke Agroturizem, Komiteti Studio, She Wine, and Kino Armata.
