Agricultural Land Degradation - Frequent Cause of Court Disputes

Abstract

Development of technology in a society is largely related to various forms of damage /degradation/ of agricultural
land as a result of surface exploitation of mineral resources. This way, this signifi cant natural resource is diminished,
which is jeopardizing, at the same time, the development and survival of agricultural production. Therefore, every country
wishes and is trying to introduce order in this fi led and adopts a number of laws that should resolve successfully the
confl icts that are inevitably occurring in this fi eld. However, while there are numerous laws dealing with this fi eld, court
disputes are still very frequent, mainly occurring between the Investor (the one that is exploiting the mineral resources)
and various representatives of the broad community who hitherto natural ecosystem is disturbed, and who consider
themselves as being at risk. Certainly, considerable material resources that may be obtained through the exploitation
of mineral resources from agricultural land that is often bought for a very small money, also, stand behind the confl icts.
The paper presents experiences that external associates of the “Zenit” Centre for Expertise have had in dealing with a
number of such contentious situations, primarily from Serbia, even though the cases have universality and may be applied
throughout the former Social Federal Republic of Yugoslavia region.