Hutovo Blato Nature Park is a bird reserve, the largest of its kind in this part of Europe in terms of size and diversity. It is home to 263 species of migratory birds, and dozens of them make this their permanent home. This park also offers numerous other facilities that visitors are happy to return to enjoy, in the peace and quiet offered by nature. Thanks to numerous projects, primarily supported by the European Union, many facilities have been improved and the park is slowly getting a completely new look.
In the south of Herzegovina, in a typical karst environment, on the left side of the Neretva river, there is Hutovo blato, a unique sub-Mediterranean swamp in Europe.
A tour of this destination provides a unique atmosphere. Through numerous projects, the approach path, as well as the pier for boats, educational paths, bird observatories, and an interpretation center were arranged. The newly renovated Orlov kuk viewpoint is a special attraction with a visitor’s house and panoramic binoculars. Hutovo blato is popular among recreational and professional bird watchers.
JOSIP VEKIĆ, head of supervision in PP “Hutovo blato”
“All kinds of ducks, we have a mixed colony in Brežine, there are currently 2,000 pairs, I expect more, gray herons, cormorants, now the ibis, a pair of yellow herons will arrive, they come from Africa and if there is a good hydrological year, they will to nest”.
Vekić emphasizes that equipment rental is available for amateur observers, and they also have a program for professionals through full-day and slightly shorter tours. The most frequent visitors to the park are families with children, but also numerous other recreationists who come mostly on weekends, but also on weekdays in order to relax in this place.
This bird habitat has been threatened for a long time by the human factor, especially poaching. Vekić points out that additional steps need to be taken to protect the park.
JOSIP VEKIĆ, head of supervision in PP “Hutovo blato”
“It is hunted in local hunting societies, black coot, so people go to Hutovo blato, Svitavsko jezero for that hunt, and if we suppress the black market, sale and resale, i.e. illegal preparation in some restaurants or illegal transfer across the border, I think minimize it”.
The Law on Nature Protection stipulates that all protected areas should be institutions, which is not the case now, points out Emil Balavac, Minister of Tourism and Environment of the Croatian National Academy of Sciences. The government is therefore planning to transform the public enterprise Hutovo Blato Nature Park into a public institution that will be able to be financed more efficiently from domestic funds and government funds, but also be able to attract additional funds from international institutions.
EMIL BALAVAC, Minister of Trade, Tourism and Environmental Protection, CNK
“In the coming period, it is planned to announce a competition for a new management that should rejuvenate the staff and be the bearer of this entire transition. The priorities of Hutovo Blat remain the protection of the habitat, however, currently it operates at a very low level and we can say that the income of some 80 thousands of BAM is not even close to what it should be”.
The goal is to achieve the self-sustainability of this company, emphasizes Balavac. This will definitely help the local tourist boards that should be established soon in HNK, among others in Stolac and Čapljina, to which Hutovo blato belongs according to their jurisdiction, BHRT writes.
