“NATURAVITA” – restoration and protection of forests, forest land and water resources
About this good practice
Due to war operations, a large part of forests and forest land in Osijek-Baranja County, i.e., Kopački rit, is still contaminated with mine-explosive and unexploded ordnance that prevent access, systematic and long-term management of this space. Through the project "Demining, restoration and protection of forests and forest land in protected and Natura 2000 areas in the Danube-Drava region - NATURAVITA", the area of Kopački rit was demined. A series monitoring was established: from sedimentation chemical and quantitative monitoring to groundwater. Surface water monitoring was also done, piezometers were drilled, and level charts for surface water were installed. In the demined area, 17 fire protection forest passage with elements of a forest road were built. This practice will ensure hydrological conditions with the introduction of natural solutions, i.e., unhindered entry of waves and flooding in the mentioned area. The last phase is the creation of a revitalization study in which all scenarios for the revitalization of the Kopački rit nature park will be worked out in detail. For the Croatia area, this is the first study which is based on a large number of exact monitoring data with solutions that have the least impact on the environment. The main beneficiaries of this practice are governmental and non-governmental organisations, governmental and non-governmental agency, academic and research institutions as well as civil society.
Expert opinion
In July 2021, the European Commission adopted the New EU Forest Strategy for 2030, a flagship initiative of the European Green Deal that builds on the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030. The Forest Strategy sets a vision and concrete actions for increasing the quantity and quality of forests in the EU and strengthening their protection, restoration and resilience. Forests provide wide range of ecosystem services and play an important role in maintaining water quality and availability. This good practice from Croatia is in line with the EU legislation and presents a strategic project aimed at demining, reconstruction and protection of forest, biodiversity, and water resources. The area in question was degraded due to a long-term mine contamination that did not allow safe access to visitors and management bodies, as well as the implementation of forest and Natura 2000 management plans. The project can be an inspiration for any region that needs to restore a large part of a contaminated forestland, not only be mines, but also different types of pollution.
Resources needed
Total value of “NATURAVITA” is 49.051.126 € of which 85% or 41.693,457€ are grants from CF. The beneficiaries are Croatian forests Ltd.with partners: Ministry of the Interior, Croatian Waters, Public institution "Kopački rit Nature Park"and Ministry of Regional Development and European Union Funds
Evidence of success
25,309,455 m2 were demined,i.e.100% of total planned area.33 km of fire protection forest passage with forest road elements were built.Biological restoration of forests was carried out on 868.57 ha, which included the replacement of foreign species with indigenous on 400 ha. 2 million seedlings were planted which significantly increased the value of ecological functions of forests. 3 thematic educational trails with a total length of 9 km have been arranged:Veliko polje,Perunika,Biljsko jezero
Potential for learning or transfer
Through the realization of this project/practice, the forests and forest land in the mentioned area were cleared of mines and explosive devices. Thus, the biological restoration of forests was carried out and autochthonous species were returned. In addition to everything mentioned so far, forest protection should be highlighted and further improved through education and raising awareness about biodiversity and the value of ecosystem services, sustainable management of forests, forest land, water and the waters of dependent ecosystems, but also about the dangers of mines. This practice also brings a valuable legacy, which in the future, with continuation of work, will ensure hydrological conditions with the introduction of natural solutions, i.e., unhindered entry of waves and flooding in the mentioned area
Further information
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Good practice owner
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