Deutsche Welle: National Park ‘Una’-Last Paradise on Earth
Three rivers, magnificent waterfalls, tall canyons, rich forestry and sports activities are the reasons why people are visiting the National Park Una, writes Deutsche Welle.
The natural washing machine Bučnica is one of the attractions of Martin Bod.
Its owner, 80 year old Dmitar Reljić is not sure when it was made, but assumes it is older than 300 years.
“Bučnica has 7 speeds. It washes everything and doesn’t use detergent for washing. There is a large reservoir of pure water in a barrel with holes for centrifuge production’’, explains Dmitar.
Martin Brod is located in the heart of the National Park Una, and according to the opinion of many is the most beautiful village in BiH.
The greatest wealth of this area is the waterfall 50 meters high.
There are more and more tourists every year, and Dmitar said that a smart person is able to use take advantage of living in a place like this.
“I wash 5 blankets for 10 minutes and I make 5 KM. It is cheap for them, and good for me. I have a mill, I mill corn, buckwheat and flour and sell it’’.
However, Marija Reljić, citizen of Martin Brod, does not think in the same way. The fact that she lives within the premises of the National Park for her family is not of much significance.
“Maybe it will be better in the future, but for us young people here there are not many opportunities. My husband has a job in the vicinity and that keeps us here. The winter is empty, and there is no one here. It is alive here during the summer’’, she said.
The inhabitants near the National Park tend to be older than 50, and a good portion are returnees. Few of them have the resources to engage in the business of sustainable tourism.
The laws in BiH make this difficult because it is not possible to register seasonal rental rooms as a supplementary activity.
The Director of the Plod Center for the Promotion of Local Development of Bihać Zrinka Delić said that there are still opportunities here.
“Citizens here have to recognize that they are in charge. We offer training and we try but we are not in the position to convince locals how they are supposed to produce something and sell brandy, jam, souvenirs, etc. No one from the side will come and offer local products. That has to be a person from the area of the National Park’’ , she said.
More than 400.000 euros have been invested in specific projects in the last period of the National Park Una. Tourist infrastructure, picnic zones, marked hiking and biking trails and look out points have been built’’, said Delić and added: “We are not able to make something like Plitvice in one year, which has existed for 65 years’’.
Drena Bosnić found a way to earn money. She sells souvenirs, brandy from pears and honey, handicrafts, crocheting and antiques.
“Tourists mostly linger by the booths, and most of them end up buying something. I am satisfied, but it could be better’’.
Tourists at the National Park usually come here for the rafting, kayaking and fly-fishing, which are the most developed activities in the park. Several private companies offer rafting services. 12 KM of space on the Una has been allocated for fly-fishing and this is one of the longer areas in the region. Daily permits cost 20 euros.
Mostly Czechs, Germans, Slovenians, Austrians and others are interested in fly-fishing on the Una.
The well-known trout from Martin Brod attracts many people, and the owner of one of the restaurants that offers trout Veljko Babićnada receives many visitors.
“One day there is a lot of work, and the next day no one comes, and that is the problem. We need continuous visits. It is still difficult to live off of this’’, said Veljko.
Verner Hasler from Switzerland visited the National Park during his first visit to BiH. He does not hide his enthusiasm, and said that this area and all of BiH is the last paradise in Europe with its preserved nature.
“This is beautiful. I am very surprised that this even exists. I did not know about the waterfalls on the Una. I hope that people from Europe would soon start to visit this area. The nature is untouched. I would not be surprised to see a bear or a wolf. But, it is noticeable that the villages are poor and that people do not have money’’.
Director of National Park Una Amarildo Mulić said that this area became visible and recognizable in the last two years.
“Tourism is nothing more than a story and emotion. Emotion is a meeting with the Una, tradition, customs, cuisine, cultural and historical sights along the natural attractions and pearls that are indispensable’’, said Mulić.
Mulić said that with the enthusiasm and modest investments they could achieve significant results. All financial resources in the National Park Una come from the FBih, foreign foundations and revenues from the park.
Even if the park is found in the area of municipality Bihać, this local community until now did not allocate funds for the needs of the park.
“Of course we are happy that they Una is with us. But, I think that the ones who founded the National Park have to invest in it, and that is the FBiH’’, said Mayor of Bihać Emdžad Galijašević.
The most famous part of the National Park Una is Štrbački buk, which leads up to a number of paths. This is a large waterfall from which starts the famous Una regatta and rafting to Bihać.
On the way to Štrbački buk is a camping area.
Muhamed Zulić began building a restaurant and five bungalows.
“We will offer people this peace. We joke around that this is our Niagara. Those who are aware will sell their lamb, vegetables and other local products in front of their houses, and not go to the market in Bihać.“
The primary function of the National Park is the protection of certain areas. Though unfavorable from an economic point of view, in the range of 200 kilometers there is not one facility, and the rivers of the National Park do not have any pollutants. It is necessary to pave around 10 kilometers and clear a small portion of the park.
According to the Director of National Park Una Amarildo Mulić, the stay of tourists is safe and under control because the mined areas have been marked and are outside of the attraction zone, writes Deutsche Welle in its report on the National Park Una.
(Source: Depo.ba)
