Serbian Radiation and Nuclear Safety and Security Directorate (SRBATOM), in cooperation with the Municipality of Pecinci, Tourism Organization of Pecinci and Color Media Communication, continued the activities of the project of “Zelena Srbija” by planting linden trees in the village of Ogar in Pecinci Municipality. The main purpose of the project in general is to preserve the environment and raise the awareness in the citizens, local self-governments and companies of the importance of re-greening and afforestation of our country.
This campaign was supported by Sinisa Djokic, the President of the Municipality of Pecinci; Branko Brajic, Deputy Director at Serbian Radiation and Nuclear Safety and Security Directorate, H.E. Mochammad Chandra Widya Yudha, the Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to Serbia; and Ljubica Boskovic, Director of Tourism Organization of Pecinci.
The Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia, H.E. Mochammad Chandra Widya Yudha expressed his gratitude on the invitation to the Embassy of Indonesia to participate in such an important project, especially considering its aim of raising the awareness of citizens on the importance of combating climate changes and the importance of afforestation of Serbia.
“I would like to use this opportunity to greet this initiative as it serves to establish connections between the local self-governments, companies and diplomatic corps so as to contribute to the environmental protection in Serbia. Indonesia showed its commitment to combating climate changes by signing the Paris Agreement in April 2016, which is reaffirmed by our participation in this activity today. Based on this Agreement, Indonesia developed its own Strategy for National Contribution serving to lay foundations for future reductions in the emissions of hazardous air pollutants by 2030. We implemented some additional measures such as the establishment of early warning system, raising awareness in the citizens and companies, development of projects of education and training in this field in general”, said the Ambassador of Indonesia.
Branko Brajic, Deputy Director at Serbian Radiation and Nuclear Safety and Security Directorate, on behalf of the Directorate as the regulatory body in our country expressed his appreciation to the President of the Municipality of Pecinci and the Ambassador of Indonesia for recognizing the intention and the purpose underlying the project of “Zelena Srbija” that the Directorate has been carrying out for past three years.
“So far we have visited twenty-eight cities and planted numerous seedlings and, thus, symbolically tried to give our contribution to raising awareness of the importance of afforestation and re-greening in these municipalities. One of our biggest responsibilities as the regulatory body is to preserve our environment, which adds to our determination and diligence to stay on this path and to sustain this project in the years to come. I would like to add that the Directorate and the Republic of Serbia are ready and open for all types of cooperation with the Republic of Indonesia in terms of ecological issues and environmental protection”, added Brajic.
The President of the Municipality of Pecinci, Sinisa Djokic underlined the symbolism and the use of fragrant linden blossoms which have healing properties as well.
“The municipality of Pecinci is a highly-developed industrial municipality so that environmental protection as one of its main goals is not surprising, and every new tree which is planted here is a huge step towards the achievement of this goal. The very fact that we are planting these trees in front of the ethno-house of ‘Aksentijev kucerak’ reveals how much care we are taking for our municipality and the health of people living here. In addition to this campaign, the municipality itself organizes numerous tree planting activities every year”, said Djokic.
The Director of Tourism Organization of Pecinci, Ljubica Boskovic focused on the diverse cultural, historic and natural attractions of Srem. The Tourism Organization of Pecinci pays particular attention to the development, promotion and presentation of natural and cultural values, and it comes as no surprise the decision to realize the today’s action within “Zelena Srbija” project in Ogar in the garden of ethno-house of ‘Aksentijev kucerak’ which is more than 200 years old.
“Ethno-house in Ogar was built in the second half of 18th century and is one of the oldest preserved village houses in Srem. Because of its architecture, manner of construction, age and authenticity, it is under the protection of state as a cultural heritage of exceptional importance. Today, it is one of the most popular tourist sites in Pecinci Municipality and an unavoidable spot on one’s way to the special natural reserve of Obedska Bara. The Stojsic family that built the house in Ogar came to Srem in one of many migrations of Serbian people in the past. The name of the last member who lived in this house was Aksentije Stojsic and the site was later named after him”, said Ljubica Boskovic.
The project of “Zelena Srbija” is devised as tree planting in 10 cities and municipalities every year, Pecinci Municipality has been the twenty-eighth municipality that has decided to join this project.