Vranica
Prokoško Lake
Just east of its main summit, at 1660 m altitude is a beautiful glacial lake called Prokoško Jezero. This lake was once known as a habitat for a unique amphibian endemic variant of the Triton Salamander (Ichthyosaura alpestris reiseri). On the northern shore is a settlement of typical wooden shepherd huts, which in recent years has grown oversized with illegal recreational sheds that threaten the vulnerable ecosystem. Prokoško Jezero received a protected status in 2005 based on IUCN criteria, when it was declared a Monument of Nature by the BiH authorities. Despite these protective measures, it is not clear whether pollution connected to over-recreation will have become entirely fatal for the salamander.
Tourism and recreation
Hiking
The Vranica mountains were only on the edges affected by combat during the 1992–1995 conflict. The central main ridge remained largely spared from warfare and the mine risk is therefore minimal. Also for that reason Vranica is an attractive destination for hikers, mountain bikers and tour skiers. A rough unpaved mountain road leads from Fojnica to Prokoško Jezero. A mountain hut—Rosinj P.D.—is located on the west side of the main ridge at 1,780 m (5,840 ft).
See also
References
- ^ "Statistical Yearbook of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina" (PDF). Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Federal Office of Statistics. 2009. p. 28. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-06-29. Retrieved 2010-03-07.
- ^ Balkan Trust for Democracy Bulletin – Fall 2007 September 18, 2007 http://www.gmfus.org/archives/balkan-trust-for-democracy-bulletin-fall-2007
- ^ Đug, S. and Drešković, Revija za geografijo - Journal for Geography, 7-1, 2012, 69-80 NATURE PROTECTION IN BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA: STATE AND PERSPECTIVES Đug, S. and Drešković, N. 2005: Management plan for Nature monument Prokosko lake. NGO Greenway Sarajevo. Sarajevo. In Bosnian.
- ^ Matias Gomez: Forgotten Beauty, a hiker's guide to BiH's 2000 meter peaks, page 21 to 28, ISBN 978-9958-630-59-0, Buybook, Sarajevo, 2005
- ^ "Vranica : Climbing, Hiking & Mountaineering : SummitPost".