Management zones are defined and recognizable units used to control the activities in different parts of the national parks. In 1988 the first Spatial Plan for Pelister National Park was enacted following Article 19 of the Law on the Protection of the National Parks (O.J. R.M. 33/80), and Article 16 of the Law on Urban and Spatial Planning (O.J. R.M. 38/85). Following this Plan there are three zones in the Park:

а) Zone of strict protection

This zone covers and area of 1500 ha encompassing the part where the authentic natural conditions, values and beauties are preserved. This zone includes the higher parts of the watersheds of the rivers Rotinska, Caparska and Magarevska, then the mountain saddle Kozji Kamen and the peaks Shiroko Stapalo, Pelister, Ilinden as well as the peak Stiv with the adjoining Crveni Steni. In this zone the physical and biological components of the nature are protected so that the natural processes develop without human interference. A regime of strict protection applies for this zone.

б) Tourism-recreation zone

Covers an area of 4200 ha comprising special natural features and beauties that are used for tourism and recreation. Two sub-zones are differentiated within this zone:

-        The Golema Livada sub-zone is suitable for summer and winter activities. The zone covers and area of 400 ha and includes the locales Golema Livada, Begova Cheshma and Kopanki.

-        The Nizsepole sub-zone covers an area of 3800 ha.

в) Melioration zone

For the most part includes forests and pastures where different primary production activities are taking place.

The existing zoning of Pelister National Park is shown in Figure 1 (see page 6 below). The activities allowed in each of the three zones, following the Spatial Plan for the Park, are described in detail in Section 9.1).

According to Article 92, paragraph 4 (O.J. R.M. 67/04) the activities and actions which are allowed in the zones are determined by the proclamation act and the Management Plan. Following Article 93 of this law the proclamation act establishes the following zones:

1. Zone of strict protection;
2. Zone of active management;
3. Zone of sustainable use; and
4. Buffer zone.

On the other hand, it should be notices that, following Article 187, paragraph 1 of the Law on Nature Protection, within three years after the date of entry into force, “the body responsible for the execution of the expert works in the field of nature protection shall revalorize the protected areas that have been under protection before the date of commencement of the application of this Law, and shall draft new acts of proclamation.” This Plan could provide the basis for the new zoning of the Park and the description of the authorized activities for each of the zones to be established by the new proclamation act of Pelister National Park. In this respect, a new proposal for zoning as the principle management instrument for the Park is presented in Section 9.2 of this Plan.