Drones in Conservation: Enhancing Monitoring and Resource Management (Montenegro)
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| Title | Drones in Conservation: Enhancing Monitoring and Resource Management (Montenegro) |
|---|---|
| Short description of the practice | Use of drone technology to improve large-scale biodiversity monitoring, forest health assessment and early detection of environmental threats in mountainous regions. |
| Keywords | Drone monitoring, Remote sensing, Mountain ecosystems, Forest health, Biodiversity protection, Environmental innovation |
| Organisation in charge of the good practice | Ministry of Health of Montenegro
Agency for Medicines and Medical Devices of Montenegro (CInMED) |
| Implementation level of the practice | Level: National, with local relevance
Country: Montenegro Region: Komovi mountain area / Municipality of Andrijevica |
| Website | https://panorama.solutions/en/solution/innovative-technology-empowering- biodiversity-protection-montenegro-0 |
| Detailed information on the practice | To address limited monitoring capacity in remote mountainous areas, Montenegro introduced drone technology as a modern tool for biodiversity protection and ecosystem management. Drone-based monitoring enables aerial surveys of forests and habitats, allowing rapid assessment of large and inaccessible areas.
The technology supports real-time data collection, habitat mapping and detection of environmental pressures such as forest degradation, pest outbreaks and illegal activities. Drone imagery enhances the accuracy and efficiency of biodiversity monitoring while reducing the need for extensive field deployment. This approach complements traditional monitoring methods and strengthens early-warning systems. The collected data are integrated into national biodiversity management frameworks and used to inform evidence-based conservation decisions. Institutional cooperation, training and technical capacity building were key components of successful implementation. |
| Timeframe | Pilot phase initiated in 2024
Ongoing implementation and scaling |
| Approximate cost | Funded through GEF-7 and national co-financing
Includes procurement of drones, technical equipment and training |
| Results achieved |
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| Potential for learning or transfer | Drone technology offers a cost-efficient and scalable solution for biodiversity monitoring in mountainous and hard-to-access regions. The approach can be adapted to various ecosystems and conservation priorities, improving monitoring accuracy and response time. For the PROMONT project, it represents a strong example of how digitalisation and emerging technologies can support sustainable mountain biodiversity protection, improve monitoring accuracy and efficiency, and facilitate transnational cooperation through shared data and evidence-based decision-making. |
| Additional material | N/A |
| Contact person | Name: Vanja Kosovic
Affiliation: Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Northern Region Development of Montenegro Email: vanja.kosovic@mers.gov.me |
