Trstenicians Will Transform Old Landfill into Thriving Forest
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Loading... - Jack Knight
- 29 May 2023
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A remarkable endeavor is taking place in Osaonica near Trstenik, where residents are reforesting the site of a former landfill. They plan to introduce seven different types of seedlings, primarily focusing on white linden and pine trees.
The Ministry of Environmental Protection has allocated 1.7 million dinars to fund the afforestation of this city landfill. This initiative marks one of the final steps in addressing the region's foremost environmental concern, second only to Zapadna Morava. The initial phases involved the construction of a new waste sorting platform, infrastructure for landfill degassing and leachate management, the refurbishment and closure of 65 percent of the landfill area, and the installation of a sanitary cassette. The latter will be utilized until the opening of the Regional Landfill with a recycling center in Kraljevo.
Afforestation presents a fresh challenge. A total of 500 tree seedlings will be planted across three plots measuring 3,900, 2,600, and 2,500 square meters, respectively. The project's proponents state that by reintroducing forest vegetation to the currently barren areas, they achieve the vital objective of protecting and preserving natural diversity. Forest cover positively impacts the soil's physical and chemical properties, enhancing fertility and safeguarding against erosion.
The afforestation of the landfill is expected to yield numerous benefits. These include improved air quality, prevention of flash floods, increased biodiversity, prevention of excessive land reclamation, and shielding the entire region from strong winds that can carry waste and harm the environment.
The rehabilitation and recultivation of the unsanitary landfill "Osaonica" have required an investment of over 65 million dinars. Approximately 7.5 hectares have been transformed into a state-of-the-art eco-landfill.
Milena Turk, the municipality's president, expressed her optimism during the project's implementation, stating, "Our plan is to fully close our landfill in the coming years and transition to a regional landfill."
Previously, the "Osaonica" landfill accumulated approximately 10,000 tons of municipal waste each year. However, the area will now be adorned with white linden, maple, brekinja, birch, mountain maple, black pine, and white pine, replacing waste as the predominant feature of this once-polluted site.
