This significant day, celebrated on May 17th, dedicated to the Una River, one of the most valuable natural pearls of Bosnia and Herzegovina, brings together numerous citizens, volunteers, local communities, schools, associations and organizations in a joint effort to promote the preservation of the natural environment and the tourism potential of the Una.
The three-day program includes a variety of ecological, cultural, sports and entertainment activities: tree planting, cleaning the river banks, landscaping the old town of Ostrovica, the ceremonial opening of the Tourist Information Center in Bihać, the “Una River Trails” cycling race, a mountaineering exhibition walk, backgammon and chess tournaments, the Plitvice-Una Čorbarijada festival, a handicraft and organic products fair, and a rich music and entertainment program.
Federal Minister of Environment and Tourism Nasiha Pozder stated that the celebration of Una River Day showed how much unity and dedication can contribute to the preservation of our natural heritage.
“The Una River is not only a natural beauty, but also a key resource for the development of sustainable tourism in the Una-Sana Canton, but also one of the most important for the entire tourism of the Federation and the state of Bosnia and Herzegovina,” said Minister Pozder during the visit.
She particularly praised the engagement of the Una National Park, local communities, their utility services, schools, associations and volunteers who were key to the success of this event.
Pozder also highlighted the importance of the Federal Ministry of Environment and Tourism’s investment in the infrastructure of the Una National Park, including the construction of a road that will significantly improve the accessibility of this area for visitors.
800,000 BAM has been allocated for the continuation of the construction of the local road Ćelije – Štrbački buk, and 1,200,000 BAM for the construction of the regional road Kulen Vakuf – Martin Brod, i.e. for the expropriation of land and the continuation of construction works in the Una National Park.
Since 2008, when the area was declared a national park, the Government of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina has allocated around 10.5 million BAM to the Una National Park, and of that, 3,250,000 BAM during the mandate of the current Government and Minister Pozder, which speaks of the commitment of this Government and its efforts to improve the work of the only national park in the Federation.
In addition, Minister Pozder emphasized that activities have been initiated for geodetic surveys and the preparation of detailed plans and spatial planning documentation for the area of the national park, which will significantly improve the condition and future of the Una National Park.
“Resolving spatial planning documentation is key to creating a stable framework that will enable further development of the park, attract investments and ensure long-term protection of this unique natural area,” added Pozder.
In Bihać, Pozder also met with the director of the USC Development Agency, Sanel Zulić, and the topic of discussion was environmental protection with an emphasis on waste management, which is certainly important for the more significant development of tourism and the protection of rivers in USC, the Federal Ministry of Environment and Tourism announced.
