Balkan experts of nature protection gather for study research in Slovenia

14 June 2012

21.05. 2012 - Representatives of national parks and of nature and otherrepresentatives dealing with the protection of nature from seven countries ofthe region gathered in Slovenia to visit country’s national parks. The visitwas aimed at learning over management of parks according to the  European Union (EU) rules, the meaning of the EU membership when it comes tothe Slovenian national parks management and the implementation of the ecologicnetwork Natura 2000.
The study research is part of the World Wide Fund (WWF) project “Parks ofDinaric Arc“ which aims at creating a network of national park in theterritories of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Croatia, Kosovo,Macedonia, Slovenia and Serbia.
Around 30 experts from the region, dealing with protection of nature exchangedexperiences  focusing on the need of better management of the parks andprotection of the nature in the service of the local population.
The Balkan region has one of the best biodiversities  in Europe and thewalking through Slovenian parks was an good opportunity  to learn how tomanage them at the best possible manner, said Leon Kebe, the leader of the project,Parks of Dinaric Arc.
During the visit in Slovenia, regional experts for nature protection visitedthe Skocjan Park, Skocjan Cave, Regional Park of Notranjsk, Lake of Crknica,National Park of Triglav, Kozjanksi Park and Natural Park of Goricko.
The visitors became more familiar with the system of protection zones inSlovenia, the preparation of professional institutions over EU reforms andcreation of the network Natura 2000. The project Parks of Dinaric Arc will takethree years. In addition to the establishing of the network of parks it helpsalso the personnel of the parks for their professional capacities for bettermanagement and a sustainable tourism. The project also aims the recognition ofthe Dinaric Arc, which according to the WWF, is believed to be important as muchthe Alpes and Carpathian mountains.
The World Wide Fund for nature (formerly World Wildlife Fund (WWF)) is world’sleading independent conservation organisation, working in more than 100countries. It  aims to conserve nature and ecological processes bypreserving biodiversity, ensuring sustainable use of natural resources andpromoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful use of resources and energy.