Residents of Vukeljići Prevented Forest Cutting, Fear Landslides in the Village

A group of residents from the village of Vukeljići near Fojnica prevented forest cutting near the village on Friday, fearing it could trigger a landslide and destroy their homes and some historical monuments located in this town in central Bosnia, Patria reports.

Workers from the 'Fojnica Forestry' arrived at the scene, but a group of residents calmly asked them to return to base, "because they cannot allow forest cutting."

- It is about very small amounts of trees. But, that forest protects the village from landslides. It is much more valuable to preserve the village than to get some money from selling wood – one of the residents told Patria.

The village of Vukeljići is about 13 kilometers from Fojnica, and is one of the most famous Sufi sites in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The tekke built in the 18th century still gathers dervishes from all over the world, eager for mysticism and spirituality.

About 15 residents live in the village throughout the year, but on weekends many guests come to the village, Patria reports.