See natural assets of Srpska in closeup in documentary Protected Heritage

Biodiversity enthusiasts and guardians, hikers and researchers can pick the favorites for their travel plans from a selection of protected places and areas in the Republic of Srpska being promoted in a video piece by the Institute for the Protection of Cultural, Historical and Natural Heritage.

The 2025 spatial plan of the Republic of Srpska has dozens of areas considered natural assets of special social significance that may join the list of the 26 places that are already protected. It includes the yellow beech phenomenon in Kotor Varoš, ice pit Ledana and a plethora of caves, of which some bear traces of prehistoric human presence. The slightly smaller of the two entities making up Bosnia and Herzegovina is promoting its natural heritage.

The spring nears and there are numerous destinations for nature enthusiasts, hikers and researchers. They were presented in a new documentary by the Republic Institute for the Protection of Cultural, Historical and Natural Heritage.

Pristine rainforests among natural heritage

Of note, the authorities are determined to preserve biodiversity, the unique treasures and landscapes and the security of visitors. For instance, only certified guides can take them through the Lom rainforest in the territory’s west. The area of almost 300 hectares covered by beech, fir and spruce is allowed a life without people’s influence whatsoever.

Visits to the Lom rainforest are allowed only under professional guidance

The other two rainforests, nearby Janj and Perućica, situated in the east, also have the status of strict nature reserves. They are tens of thousands of years old and the latter covers 1,300 hectares.

Cultural elements in three national parks

The most popular nature locations offer a combination with spiritual and historical beacons. Protected Heritage, the film written and directed by Nikola Deretić, highlights the abstract memorial with a stunning monument in Tjentište in National Park Sutjeska. Just like the complex at Mrakovica in National Park Kozara, it is dedicated to the Yugoslav Partisans’ major battles against the fascist enemy and occupation forces in World War Two.

Pilgrims go to the medieval Karno monastery in National Park Drina. An ancient Turkey oak is at the spot. The species is normally considered a sacred tree among Slavic peoples. A notable shrine is in Pavlova cave in Srpska’s far south, where the legend says St. Paul has preached.

Back in the last of the three national parks, tourists can also check out Klotjevac and Đurđevac, forts built in the middle ages. Furthermore, the area is dominated by ravines and canyons including Crni potok and lake Perućac.

Homes of endangered plants, animals

Another important group of areas are the three nature parks: mountains Cicelj and Orjen and the 95-kilometer lower course of the Una in the northwest. One of the most beautiful rivers in Europe, it is the home for forty or so kinds of fish, more than 60 of birds and remarkable tuffs with algae and moss.

Hundreds of rare and endangered plants and animals can be found in the protected assets on the list. The Tišina marsh hosts 123 bird species. Like the Gromiželj swamp, it is part of the downstream Sava river system. One of the most peculiar creatures there is the mudminnow, a fish in jeopardy. It uses the swim bladder for breathing air from above the water surface.

The mudminnow is a fish which uses its swim bladder to breathe air from above the water surface

Orlovača, in the east, is one of the few caves arranged for visits and it also has a museum. The path is 560 meters long. The longest one, at 2,800 meters, is the Velika pećina close to Bileća.

The author underscored it was a great challenge to give enough to the viewer about the habitats and nature reserves in just 28 minutes. At least half of the places on the list deserve movies of their own, according to Deretić.

The institute is responsible for assessing the cultural, historical and natural characteristics of localities in the procedure to determine categories of protection.

The Republic Institute for the Protection of Cultural, Historical and Natural Heritage is one of the leading partners in the region who have established the Information System for Nature Conservation of the Republic of Srpska (ISNC-RS) with the support of the ORF BDU component Biodiversity Information Management and Reporting (BIMR). ISNC-RS comprises information about natural (biological and geological) heritage of the Republic of Srpska in the form of data bases, applications and web services and is intended for collecting, keeping, maintaining and sharing of information.