Network for the conservation of the threatened Karst Poljes

There was lively participation in the concluding international workshop for the preservation of the Karst Poljes in Bosnia-Herzegovina. Fifty two conservationists from seven countries met between the 16th and 18th October in Tomislavgrad in Bosnia to develop effective strategies for the conservation of these extensive plains with their rich species diversity.

View on lake Busko Blato in the southern part of Livanjsko Polje

© Stefan Ferger/EuroNatur

Karst poljes are fascinating landscapes. Over the millennia, water has created extensive plains framed by steep cliffs, in which a colourful mosaic of different habitats has evolved. It is above all in Bosnia-Herzegovina that there are still many of these marshland areas which are periodically flooded, amongst them the Livanjsko Polje, one of the most important resting and overwintering sites for wading and wetland birds along the Adriatic Flyway.

Despite its ecological importance and its international protection under the Ramsar Wetlands Convention, the Livanjsko Polje does not enjoy national protection of any kind. At the concluding workshop co-organised by EuroNatur, one of the core demands was indeed the protection of the Karst Poljes at a national level. Moreover, it was emphasised that it is essential to have a conservation management strategy which takes account of the requirements of the local population. Only if the people living in the area are included in the planning process, can its acceptance as a nationally important nature reserve be achieved.

The visions for the future of the Karst Poljes, which members of EuroNatur and their partner organisations formulated at the workshop, will now be forwarded to the decision-makers in Bosnia-Herzegovina. Even after the conclusion of the project, EuroNatur will continue to campaign vigorously for their implementation.

How you can help

Donation

Future needs nature. EuroNatur cares for it. Please use your possibilities to help. With your donation you will make an effective contribution to a more livable environment.

Sustaining membership

EuroNatur focuses on long-term nature conservation projects instead of quick fixes. With your regular donations, you give us the planning security we need.

News

Skavica mega dam: Albanian court to scrutinise special law for U.S. contractor Bechtel

++ Constitutional complaint filed by NGOs accepted for trial ++ First milestone in fight against one of Europe’s largest reservoirs ++ Thousands of…

Growing opposition to Albanian airport

++ Bern Convention calls on Albania to stop airport construction near Narta Lagoon ++ Project in Vjosa Delta endangers thousands of migratory birds ++…

EU Commission targets the wolf

Ursula von der Leyen warns of allegedly "dangerous wolves" - nature conservation organisations criticise misleading statements and dubious data…

Romanian forests: EuroNatur calls for a logging moratorium

+++ Open letter to Commissioner Sinkevičius calls for a logging moratorium in protected areas to end destruction of Romanian forests +++ Fourth…

Controversial airport construction in Albanian protected area casts shadow as far as Munich

++ Operating company Munich Airport International (MAI) is linked to illegal Vlora airport ++ Construction to take place in protected area of special…

Swimming for the monk seal

The Croatian free water swimmer Dina Levačić has been swimming in potential monk seal territories. Her campaign is aimed at drawing attention to the…

Wolf Offspring confirmed in the Black Forest

++ Photo trap image from the community of Schluchsee provides evidence of offspring ++ First wolf pack in over 150 years in Baden-Württemberg ++

Stork Village meeting in Tykocin, Poland

It was an anniversary celebrated in style: For the 20th annual meeting, representatives of the European Stork Villages met for the first time in the…

A slight sigh of relief for the Dalmatian pelicans

The Dalmatian pelicans at Lake Skadar are breeding successfully. This is all the more gratifying because last year's breeding season was disastrous.