In the period from July 28 to August 1, within the project “Advocating for new protected areas and sustainable nature management in Zenica-Doboj Canton (ZDK)”, a scientific research camp “Matinski vis 2021” will be held.
The camp will gather approximately 30 students and professors of biology from all over Bosnia and Herzegovina at the mentioned location (Žepče Municipality), who will for the first time in history make an inventory of flora and fauna in this area of Žepče Municipality.
All the findings of this camp will be a valuable contribution to the expert explanation for the establishment of the protected area Matinski vis, said representatives of the Association of Citizens “Fojničani”.
The organizers of the camp hope that this is just the beginning of the scientific research of Matinski Vis, which, according to some estimates, is the habitat of more than 20 endemic plant species.
“Since the participants of the camp are coming to Matinski vis on Wednesday, July 28, the planned time for its official opening is Thursday starting at 9 o’clock. If you have some obligations during this time period, feel free to suggest any other time and we will coordinate the planned field research activities with your visit and meeting with students and professors,” the organizers suggested.
Scientific research camp “Matinski vis 2021” is implemented within the project “Advocating for new protected areas and sustainable nature management in Zenica-Doboj Canton (ZDK)” which aims to contribute to increasing the number and sustainability of protected nature areas in accordance with the Law on Nature Protection of the Federation of BiH.
Although it is one of the richest countries in Europe in terms of biological and landscape diversity, Bosnia and Herzegovina, with about three percent, has the lowest percentage of protected territory, not only in Europe but also worldwide.
Currently, the world has 14.87 percent of protected areas of the total land and 7.27 percent of the Earth’s sea surface.
These percentages are much higher in Europe, and the standard and recommendations of the European Union are that each country should protect at least 10 percent of its territory.
Therefore, the specific aim of the project is the establishment of new protected nature areas, Matinski vis in the Žepče Municipality and the Megara cave in the Maglaj Municipality, as well as the establishment of a cantonal public institution that would manage all protected nature areas in ZDK.
The project is implemented by the Association of Citizens Fojničani Maglaj and Partners, Mountaineering Association “Vis” Žepče, Sports and Scientific Research Club “Atom” Zavidovići and the Association of Biology Students in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It was approved within the project “Thoughts on Nature!” implemented by the Center for Civil Society Promotion (CPCD) with financial support from Sweden, the statement said.
