Today more than 30 cyclists and nature lovers from all over Bosnia and Herzegovina cycled through Livanjsko polje, the largest flooding karst field in the world, and pointed out the importance and need to protect these unique areas, which in total 54 poljes exist in B&H.
The ride, organized by the associations Center for Environment from Banja Luka, Naše Ptice from Sarajevo and the world organization for nature protection WWF, was realized as part of the traditional event “Let’s restore sport in Grahovo” which was re-launched by the municipality of Bosansko Grahovo.
Cyclists rode a 46-kilometer route through Ždralovac (ždral= crane), which is the most attractive part of Livanjsko polje and which was named because gray cranes nested in this area in the past. The participants of the bicycle race reminded us of this interesting fact with a symbolic formation in the shape of this bird.
“The world’s natural phenomenon is in our backyard, and it seems that even the local population is not well aware of that. With this event we wanted to support the local people engaged in promotional and production activities, and to present to cyclists a field that deserves the attention, not only of experts who are aware of its many values, but also all other nature lovers and certainly institutions that should work on its protection,” said Nataša Crnković from the Center for Environment.
Livanjsko polje, like all karst poljes, is a phenomenon with an extremely rich network of groundwater and surface water in occasional and constant flows, rich flora (over 800 vascular plants) and fauna. It is an impressive fact that 265 out of a total of 349 bird species recorded in the whole of B&H have been registered so far in this area.
“Despite the rich biodiversity, numerous capital projects that included reclamation and drainage of wet meadows for agriculture in Ždralovac and Jagme, digging canals and diverting rivers to Buško Lake and the Lipa reservoir for the Orlovac hydroelectric power plant in Croatia, resulted in the loss of livestock, drastic changes in the water regime and in habitats, which has a negative impact on the entire flora and fauna. In order to save the field from further degradation, it is necessary to establish urgent legal protection and an efficient management system for sensitive water and grass habitats, which would restore the beauty and splendor of this natural gem,” said Biljana and Goran Topić from Naše ptice.
Zoran Šeremet from WWF Adria points out that, although in 2008 polje was declared a wetland of international importance within the Ramsar Convention, and in 2011 the area of international importance for birds (IBA – Important Bird Area) Livanjsko polje is still not protected under domestic legislation.
“This process takes too long, and it is necessary to make additional efforts at all levels of government in order to protect Livanjsko polje and other karst phenomena in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Protected areas not only preserve natural resources, but also our cultural and historical values, improve life and encourage sustainable development, and we are glad that the local community in Bosansko Grahovo has recognized that” concluded Šeremet.
Educational bicycle ride was organised in the framework of the project Karst Poljes 3+: Support for the protection as well as a sustainable regional development in Livanjsko and Duvanjsko polje, which Naše ptice and Centar za životnu sredinu implement with assistance of German foundation EuroNatur, funded from Swiss foundation MAVA.