Geopark Biokovo-Imotska jezera officially became a UNESCO World Geopark

Good news is coming from the Biokovo-Imotska Jezera Geopark - after the UNESCO Global Geoparks Council accepted the Biokovo-Imotska Jezera Geopark as a UNESCO World Geopark last September, the final, official confirmation has arrived.

"This is a great success and a reward for all of us who have worked diligently since the beginning, and even at times when we were discouraged by the Council's decision to postpone last year. I am especially happy because of the great potential that is now opening up for us for the whole area, and especially for the area of ​​Imotska Krajina", stated is in September Ivana Capin, executive director of Geopark.

She emphasized the pride that the multi-year project has come to an end, which gives the Biokovo-Imotska Jezera Geopark a completely new level on the world map of UNESCO Global Geoparks.

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Official confirmation

At the session held from March 13 to 27, 2024, the UNESCO executive board officially declared the Biokovo-Imotska Jezera Geopark a UNESCO World Geopark. communicated are from the Geopark.

With this decision of the UNESCO Executive Board rounded is a story that began back in 2019, when the Geopark was founded, and which will now proudly bear and emphasize the prestigious name UNESCO Global Geopark.

UNESCO Geoparks are unique geographical areas of international geological significance that are managed holistic concept protection, education and sustainable development.

By raising awareness and educating about the importance of geological heritage, UNESCO Geoparks give the local community a sense of pride and strengthen their identification with the area in which they live. 

Geological heritage

Geological heritage associated with natural and cultural heritage promotes sustainable use of resources, mitigates the effects of climate change and reduces the risks associated with natural disasters.

UNESCO Geoparks attract a larger number of visitors with their activities and enable the initiation of various production and service activities that contribute to the socio-economic development of the community.

Geoparks are not only geologically interesting places, but also various other ecological, archaeological, historical and cultural sights. 

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Geoparks are supported and actively participated in by local communities who know how to recognize and want to affirm their geological, historical and cultural heritage, primarily through the idea of ​​geotourism.

By receiving the UNESCO designation, it is significantly raised visibility level destinations and prerequisites are created for the development of geotourism as a specific form of selective tourism.

Geotourism

Geotourism primarily focuses on the geological and geomorphological features of the landscape as a tourist attraction and is one of the fastest growing market segments within special forms of tourism. 

The area of ​​the Biokovo and Imotski Lakes Nature Park is an area of ​​exceptional cultural heritage, rich historical heritage and natural value that includes a great diversity of habitats, species of plants and animals, but also geological diversity represented in numerous geological formations created in different periods of the Earth's past. 

Let us remind you that the whole process of creation of the Biokovo-Imotska jezera Geopark began at the end of 2018, when at the very beginning there were two independent initiatives for the establishment of the UNESCO Geopark - the initiative of the Public Institution Biokovo Nature Park and the Imotska Jezera Geopark initiative, which came from the local administration in Imotski . 

/ / / Geopark Biokovo-Imotska jezera accepted as a UNESCO Global Geopark