PRESENTATION HELD Prenj to be declared a protected natural area

(Patria) - On the occasion of World Tourism Day, celebrated on September 27 under the slogan “Tourism and Sustainable Transformation”, the Federal Ministry of Environment and Tourism, the United Nations Development Programme in Bosnia and Herzegovina (UNDP BiH) and the City of Konjic, in cooperation with professors and experts from the Faculties of Forestry and Natural Sciences and Mathematics of the University of Sarajevo, organized a presentation of the Expert Justification for declaring the Prenj mountain a protected area.

Representatives of the expert team engaged in the preparation of the document, during the presentation held at the Mountain Lodge “Senad Muhibić – Dundo” in Rapta, emphasized that this is the final phase and that 30 university professors and experts participated in this endeavor.

Professor and coordinator of the expert team Sead Vojniković emphasized the high diversity of ecosystems on Prenj, stating that everything points to the declaration of a national park, even with areas that can be categorized as nature reserves.

- Based on the preliminary data and research we have, everything points to this type of protection. It is a large area, and the fact that 12 to 15 percent of the flora here is endemic, and that there are as many as 24 natura habitats, clearly supports this thesis - said Vojniković.

Professor Amra Banda, an expert in sustainable tourism, emphasized that Prenj is a special mountain and part of the community's identity.

- Natural and cultural-historical heritage, traditional villages and livestock farming can certainly be used for sustainable tourism. The protection of Prenj is of crucial importance for the development of this region. Here's an interesting fact, the first ice cream in BiH was made from ice brought from Prenj, which speaks volumes about the multi-layered tradition and significance of the mountain. Of course, when we talk about protection boundaries, we must be realistic and aware of the situation, but at this stage, the proposal will go in such a way that part of the Neretva canyon will be adjacent to the protected area - said Banda.

Federal Minister of Environment and Tourism Nasiha Pozder emphasized the importance of cooperation with the local community and international partners, and the readiness to jointly undertake this project.

- Protection does not mean stopping life in this area. On the contrary! We have managed to initiate the process for the Konjic area, but I believe that Mostar and Jablanica will soon join this historic endeavor, because we want natural laws to be stronger than administrative limitations - said Minister Pozder.

The Mayor of Konjic, Osman Ćatić, stated that this is a generational project.

- I believe this can be an example for future protection projects, and I am glad that such an expert and systematic approach has been taken to protect the magnificent Prenj. We have involved the local population, forestry, and most importantly, mountaineering associations that are active and have given us full support in this historic endeavor - said Ćatić.

The presentation was attended by the Resident Representative of UNDP in BiH, Renaud Meyer, who was fascinated by the beauty and the view from Rapta towards the peaks of Prenj.

- UNDP strongly supports such initiatives, as they contribute to the preservation of biodiversity, the development of sustainable tourism, and the strengthening of local communities. Prenj is a symbol of the natural wealth of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and its declaration as a protected area would be an important step on the country's path towards a sustainable future - stated Meyer.

During the presentation, the tourism potentials were also discussed, especially the importance of the Via Dinarica project, emphasizing that Bosnia and Herzegovina is at the heart of this initiative, and Prenj is the “heart of the heart”. Mountaineer and journalist Zehrudin Isaković, whose life is tied to mountaineering, stated that this is a historic moment.

- People have been coming here to hike since the time of Austria-Hungary. The outlines of its peaks look like an EKG reading. Our task should be common, to create a happy union and enable this mountain to be managed in a way that it is discovered by as many people as possible - said Isaković, it was announced from the Federal Ministry of Environment and Tourism.