Location and context

Sinjajevina is a high-altitude pastoral landscape in northern Montenegro and the largest continuous mountain pasture in the country, as well as one of the largest in Europe. The territory is characterised by extensive grasslands, seasonal pastoral settlements (katuns), and strong community-led governance systems. Katuns, comprising family cottages and surrounding grazing lands, are central to the long-standing practice of transhumance, which continues today.

History and governance

Pastoralism in Sinjajevina dates back millennia. Since the 19th century, following Montenegro’s liberation from Ottoman rule, the territory has been collectively used and managed by members of eight traditional tribes: Bjelopavlići, Drobnjaci, Moračani, Lipovljani, Poljani, Šaranci, Štitaričani, and Uskoci.

Although industrialisation has led to partial abandonment of katuns, around 250 families still use the area, largely maintaining customary governance systems. These systems operate through clan- and katun-level decision-making, increasingly coordinated by the Save Sinjajevina civic initiative, which provides an overarching governance platform.

Biodiversity and recognition

The Sinjajevina ICCA is a biodiversity hotspot. Its complex interaction between pastoral practices and the environment has led to the creation of a diverse and rare ecosystem. The grasslands, forests, and wetlands of Sinjajevina host a wide variety of plant and animal species, some of which are endemic or relict species that are rare or unique to the region.

Key habitats include:

• Alpine and subalpine grasslands: These calcareous grasslands are home to species like Sesleria wettsteinii, Festuca bosniaca, and Achillea abrotanoides, among others, many of which are endemic to the region.

• Freshwater habitats: Rivers like the Štitarička River and the Tara River, along with associated riparian forests, provide essential habitat for aquatic species, including rare species of Salix and Alnus.

• Rocky habitats and caves: The steep, rocky slopes of Sinjajevina support a wide range of chasmophytic vegetation with high endemism, such as Amphoricarpos neumayerianus and Edraianthus graminifolius.

• Forests: The Oromediterranean pine forests (dominated by Pinus heldreichii) and Dinaric Scots pine forests provide both economic resources and important ecological functions, such as erosion control and water regulation.

The long interaction between pastoral practices and ecosystems has created a landscape of high ecological value. Sinjajevina is recognised as part of the Tara Canyon Biosphere Reserve, an Emerald site under the Bern Convention, and an Important Plant Area. It is also a proposed Regional Nature Park and Natura 2000 site.

Livelihoods and resource use

Sinjajevina’s economy revolves primarily around pastoralism, which is not only a livelihood but a cultural and ecological practice that has been integral to the community for centuries. Livestock farming, mainly involving sheep and cattle, is the backbone of the local economy. Around 40% of livestock production benefits farmers through dairy products, making it the primary source of income for many households. Smaller numbers of horses, goats, pigs, poultry, and bees are also raised, though they are of secondary importance.

The practice is transhumant in nature, meaning herds and flocks are moved between highland pastures (katuns) in the summer and lower-altitude villages in the autumn, ensuring that grazing pressure is distributed seasonally. This pastoral rotation is a key element of the community's land management system, helping to prevent overgrazing and ensuring that the land remains productive and sustainable.

In addition to livestock, crop production also contributes to local livelihoods, though this is less developed due to the high-altitude conditions and relatively poor soils. Small garden plots adjacent to cottages are used to grow vegetables, fruit trees, and staple crops. Despite the short vegetation period, these efforts supplement the community’s food security.

An important part of Sinjajevina’s resource use is the collection of medicinal plants and lichens, such as Thymus serpyllum, Uva ursi, and Teucrium montanum. These species hold commercial value and contribute to the community’s economy through local trade. Forests in the region, consisting of beech, pine, and spruce, also provide a variety of resources, ranging from timber to traditional medicines. While some forests have economic functions, others are more focused on conservation and protection.

Threats

In 2019, Sinjajevina was designated as a military training ground, with explosive testing conducted without consultation or adequate assessment. Following sustained community-led resistance supported by civil society, the designation was officially removed in 2025.

Despite this major achievement, threats remain. The lack of formal recognition of community governance leaves the territory vulnerable to future external pressures, including a proposed large-scale wind farm project developed without adequate environmental or social assessment.

More broadly, the area faces challenges such as rural depopulation, ageing communities, and limited economic opportunities.

Vision and objectives

The community’s vision is to officially protect Sinjajevina’s landscape and ensure that its traditional governance systems are respected and integrated into the formal conservation framework. In the long term, the goal is to establish a community-protected area that serves both ecological conservation and the socio-economic needs of the local population. Specifically, Sinjajevina aims to:

• Secure official protection for Sinjajevina as a protected area, designed and governed by the local community, to safeguard its biodiversity and cultural practices.

• Strengthen community-led governance by consolidating the role of traditional pastoralists in managing and conserving their land. This includes maintaining the traditional pastoral practices that have shaped the landscape for centuries.

• Promote sustainable livelihoods that rely on traditional practices, while encouraging investments in ecotourism, sustainable agriculture, and community-based businesses.

• Advocate for the recognition of Sinjajevina as an ICCA, which would enhance visibility and contribute to national and international conservation efforts.

These objectives align with the community’s desire for recognition and support from the Montenegrin government and international bodies, particularly in preserving its cultural heritage and biodiversity.

Support needs

To achieve these goals, several forms of support are necessary:

• Legal and political recognition: Securing formal protection of the Sinjajevina territory through legislation and policy reforms that allow for community governance and conservation management. This includes working with the Montenegrin government to ensure the formal designation of Sinjajevina as a protected area and aligning it with national conservation frameworks.

• Legal support: Establishing and reinforcing the legal rights of local communities over their ancestral lands. This could involve securing land tenure rights and supporting the formal recognition of communal governance systems.

• Financial support: Funding is required to build the institutional capacity of community organizations, such as Save Sinjajevina, which is actively involved in advocacy, governance, and conservation efforts.

By consolidating these efforts, Sinjajevina can achieve long-term sustainability, ensuring the protection of its unique ecosystems, the empowerment of local communities, and the preservation of its cultural heritage for future generations.

This case study was originally published by UN Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC) on April 2026. The content was provided by the custodians of this ICCA. ICCA is self-declared and has not gone through a peer review process to verify its status. More details on this process can be found here. The content of this website does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the United Nations Environment Program or WCMC.