Arabo investor proposes controversial resort at Šasko jezero, Montenegro, despite environmental concerns and conflicting land-use plans.
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Arabo investor Mohamed Alabbar plans to develop a large eco-resort, named Šas Heights, near the Šasko jezero (Šas Lake) in Montenegro. This project, which includes a hotel and residential buildings, faces significant criticism from environmentalists because it appears inconsistent with Montenegro’s main urban planning document, the Territorial Plan up to 2040, which classifies the area as forest and natural land, prohibiting new construction. Although the national plan forbids building there, an older municipal plan for Ulcinj allegedly allows it. Critics point out that the project risks developing a dense complex in an untouched natural environment. Concerns are raised regarding the privatization of public land and the lack of environmental impact assessments. Furthermore, experts warn that the development threatens the lake’s high biodiversity status as a “key biodiversity area,” potentially compromising its water quality through sewage runoff and damaging its invaluable archaeological value. The article highlights a confusing and contradictory legal framework in Montenegro’s planning laws, which allows outdated plans to remain applicable despite new legislation requiring harmonization.
