An Taisce sees an opportunity to develop Dowra as "a model village" and would like to work with local people in suggesting a plan for the area, the organisation's heritage officer, Mr Ian Lumley, said.
The village, which is nestled in a valley a short distance from the northern shores of Lough Allen, was "a classic example of a village with a very harmonious relationship with its landscape and surroundings", he said.
In stark contrast to many scenic areas in the State, the countryside around Dowra has seen very little development of any kind. Mr Lumley said it was "a precious and important area that has escaped a lot of damage" which had occurred in other areas and lessons had to be learned from the mistakes made along much of the western seaboard.
An Taisce is focusing on the area because it believes the tax- incentive scheme leaves it at risk of over-development and poor planning.
Mr Lumley said other villages in the upper Shannon area had already been damaged and locals who initially wanted development now regretted what had happened.
Mr Lumley stressed that his organisation was in favour of housing for local people and also for small-scale tourism development, which would enhance the area.
He said An Taisce was very conscious that Dowra had suffered greatly from emigration and depopulation.
His organisation wanted "a plan-led approach to regenerating the area", with well-designed schemes located in the right places.
An Taisce was not suggesting any radical new proposals, but was only trying to ensure that national policies and guidelines were implemented locally.
In trying to achieve a plan-led approach to developing villages, new planning legislation gave local authorities the structures to do this in consultation with local communities.
"Unfortunately, it is something we have seen very little of," Mr Lumley said.
He had never been contacted by the Dowra Development Association but would be happy to meet them, he added.