Reconstruction of the riverbed of Ponika finalized

tearce1(27.06.2016) Today, the Minister of Environment and Physical Planning Bashkim Ametiattended the ceremony on the occasion of the finalization of Ponika riverbed reconstruction in the village of Dobroshte, Municipality of Tetovo.

- We expect that this reconstruction will reduce to the maximum the risks and the damages from possible future spills of Ponika river waters, restore the shine of the river, protect the environment, but also ensure utmost protection of the local population from potential material and human losses, said Minister Ameti on the occasion.

Namely, in August last year, as consequence from intensive precipitations resulting from climate change, the river of Ponika brought coarse deposits (mud and stones) from the upper part, putting in danger the local population in the village of Dobroshte and causing severe damages of public facilities downstream. Rehabilitation of the riverbed through the village was carried out under USAID Project on Municipal strategies for climate change implemented by Milieukontakt Macedonia in cooperation with the Municipality of Tearce.

The implementation has encompassed series of activities with respective technical solutions:

- Cleansing of the riverbed from coarse stones and river deposits along the length through the populated place;

- Identification of the condition of existing cascade thresholds and rocky ground of the regulated segment of the riverbed, aimed at reconstruction and restoration of the facilities to a full functionality;

- Identification of existing obstacles in the flow of the river in the populated place, i.e. inadequately built passages over the river, structures inside the riverbed, waste depots etc., with proposed measures for elimination of adverse impacts on the watercourse;

- Determination of the number, locations and condition of anti-erosion partitions in the river before its entry in the village and proposing measures for their rehabilitation;

- Determination of the need for construction of new anti-erosion partitionsfor the purpose of elimination or minimization of potential hazards for the populated place Dobroshte in future;

- Identification of critical zones in the riverbed outside populated place upstream of the village of Dobroshte, including parts of the river flow blocked by deposits and fallen trees with proposed rehabilitation measures – cleansing, reclamation, etc.

US Ambassaador in Macedonia H.E. Jess L.Baily and Executive Director of Milieukontakt Macedonia Igor Slavkoski addressed the gathering, too.

The value of the project is 5 million denars, 4 million being provided by USAID and the rest by the Municipality’s own contribution.