REGIONAL AND LOCAL HAZARDS IN TOURISM – CASE STUDY OF MINEFIELDS IN THE PROTECTED AREAS OF CANTON OF SARAJEVO
Ranko Mirić, Nusret Drešković, Edin Hrelja, Boris Avdić
DOI: 10.35666/25662880.2015.1.509
UDC: 338.484:623.36(497.6KS)
Abstract: Research of hazards and risk in tourism is one of important segments in the concept of management and planning in destination development. In the concept of long-term strategy of economic development, Bosnia and Herzegovina has set its tourist industry goals very high. It is recognized as the strategic branch of economy, which should increase competitiveness, foreignexchange influx, tourist traffic and employment rate. One of the basic preconditions of achievement of these goals is the process of formation of protected areas, by which territorial share Bosnia and Herzegovina is placed very low on the list of European nations. Accordingly, this paper represents the research of protected areas development concepts in Canton of Sarajevo, and of problems with theirs establishment, with the special focus on hazards like minefields and unexploded ordnance (UXO). Although it has passed 20 years since the end of the war, Bosnia and Herzegovina is not safe country regarding this issue (current suspected area is 1.176,5 km2 or 2,3% of total land), while the situation in Canton of Sarajevo is even more concerning (suspected area is 80,78 km2 or 6,3% of total land). Hazards and risks related to minefields and UXO represent very significant limiting factor in the process of establishment of new protected areas, which are planned by legal documents on the Cantonal and Federal level. This is especially emphasized through high concentration of mine suspected areas in the southern regions of Canton of Sarajevo, where are located mountains like Igman, Bjelašnica, Visoţica, Treskavica, as well as Rakitnica canyon. These locations are among the most valuable tourist attractions in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Key words: Bosnia and Herzegovina, minefield, hazard, Canton of Sarajevo, protected area