Prokletije National Park
The Prokletije region was designated a national park in 2009. It covers an area of 16,630 hectares. The park is located in the border region between Montenegro and Albania, between the Podgorica- Skadar basin to the southeast and Metohija to the northeast. The main characteristics of the Prokletije region are its relief and abundance of water.
There are two nature reserves on the territory of the park, Lake Hrid and Volusnica.Visitors to the Prokletije National Park can enjoy numerous activities, such as the many observation decks, unspoilt mountain landscapes of snow capped mountaintops, mountain lakes, caves cave drawings, a deep canyon with a natural bridge, natural meadows full of blueberries and traditional rural houses.
The flora of the Montenegrin Prokletije, to a great extent, has an Eastern European character with a significant degree of arctic-alpine and sub-mediterranean elements. A large number of species are endemic, endemic relict, relict, rare and many are medical and honey-producing. More than 1,700 different herb species are registered on the territory of the park, and 40 typical herbal communities can be found there. Forests are one of the most significant and rich natural resources.
Economic-value forests are the most common, which are characterised by sporadic virgin forest, followed by forestry reserves, and finally shrubland and low forests. They are characterised by altitudinal zonation.
The animal life of the Prokletije is characterized by wide diversity and the most common species are insects, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals. A large number of insects are endemic species and some are protected by law. The most significant phenomenon that occurs in the area of the Prokletije is neoteny (also called juvenilization). 161 bird species are registered in the area of the Prokletije.
Among the most significant are: grey herons; spoonbills; garganeys; bearded vultures; griffon vultures; short-toed snake eagles; goshawks; sparrow hawks; buzzards; hobby falcons; peregrine falcons; grouse; and red crossbills.
