Results of the research conducted in the upper course of the Neretva River last year during the Science Week in Ulog, as well as the roles and activities initiated within the initiative for the designation of the “Neretva” protected habitat, were presented over the past three days in Sarajevo, Gacko, Kalinovik, and Banja Luka.
The research, organized by the Center for Environment in partnership with international organizations Riverwatch and Euronatur as part of the Save the Blue Heart of Europe campaign, involved more than 50 scientists from Bosnia and Herzegovina, the region, and Europe. The results show that over 1300 species have been discovered in this area, with 24 being new species for Bosnia and Herzegovina and eight new species for science. The analysis of physical-chemical water parameters indicates exceptional water purity, categorizing it as Class I water quality.
Dr. Gabriel Singer and Dr. Špela Borko presented these results and announced the continuation of the research.
“During the Science Week on the Neretva in 2022, we focused on large-scale research and obtained significant results, demonstrating the immense biodiversity. This year, we want to delve deeper into specific research missions. There will be further biodiversity research in the Neretva Valley, especially in the forests. The Neretva extends into underground ecosystems more than many other rivers. The karst basin supports a fascinating hydrological system, including powerful springs and disappearing surface tributaries that become underground rivers, which are ecologically poorly explored,” explained Dr. Singer.
Jelena Ivanić from the Center for Environment emphasized that, considering all the facts and exceptional natural values, she expects the Republic of Srpska Government to declare the area a protected habitat.
“With all the mentioned facts and exceptional natural values, we expect the Government of the Republic of Srpska to declare this area a protected habitat. This would enable the management of this area in a sustainable and responsible manner, in line with respecting these values. At the same time, by developing new activities based on responsible use of the protected area, new opportunities for sustainable tourism and the local community will be created, and the Republic of Srpska will gain a new largest protected area, significantly contributing to the increase in the percentage of protected territory. We should be happy and proud that we still have the opportunity to preserve our natural and cultural heritage as gratitude to previous generations and a pledge for the future of new generations.”
The initiative for the designation of the “Neretva” protected habitat, from the Ulog bridge to the source, is part of the campaign to protect the rivers of Southeast Europe. The campaign was initiated by The Nature Conservancy, one of the world’s leading nature conservation organizations, in collaboration with local partners in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Croatia, North Macedonia, and Serbia.
Đorđe Sladoje, Deputy Mayor of the Municipality of Kalinovik, said that the municipality’s leadership is grateful to the team involved in the protection of the upper course of the river.
“We are satisfied with the activities carried out in the past year, especially with the Protection Study prepared by the Institute for the Protection of Cultural and Historical Heritage of the Republic of Srpska, using, among other things, data collected during the Science Week in Ulog in June 2022. We are aware of the biodiversity preservation in this part of the Neretva River, the diversity of flora and fauna, and the quality of the water itself. We are proud that Kalinovik will have the largest protected area in the Republic of Srpska after the declaration by the Government of the Republic of Srpska. The declaration by the Government will create numerous conditions for scientific research, but also conditions for the development of tourism in this part of the municipality, to the general satisfaction.”
In Banja Luka, after the presentation of the activities and research results, an exhibition of the most significant plant and animal species from the Neretva by the artist Vanja Lazić was opened.
You can find the basic research results at this LINK.
