North Macedonia Hopes Ohrid Rescue Plan Will Satisfy UNESCO

Ahead of a planned UNESCO inspection due in November, tasked at assessing progress in protecting the natural and cultural heritage of the Ohrid region, North Macedonia has drafted a plan to protect the area and prevent it from being put on the list of "World Heritage Sites in Danger".

The plan, which will soon be put up for public debate, awaits adoption by the end of this year. Until then, the authorities say a moratorium on all new builds in Ohrid imposed last August will remain in force.

The plan includes a tough ban on building along the shoreline of Lake Ohrid, lower heights for buildings in urban areas near the lake, and preservation of the authentic look of buildings in the old town and elsewhere.

If matters go as planned, the region will be divided into three protected zones. The first will cover the shore of the lake and up to 50 meters deep inland, where all new construction will be prohibited.

The second zone covers those areas where tourist infrastructure already exists; the four municipalities that form this region will be obliged to submit a list of illegal builds there - and whether and how many of these structures will be removed will depend on a study being drafted by the Ministry of Transportation.

The third zone covers the old towns of Ohrid and nearby Struga, where the number and height of new builds will be be tighly restricted and monitored.

The plan also envisages a ban on infrastructure construction in the protected areas. This means tasking the authorities to revise the planned route of a new railway line that should connect the region to Albania, a stretch of highway that should connect Ohrid and Struga, as well as altering plans for local gas pipelines and power lines. The plan also envisages closing...