EXECUTIVE SUMMARY - UNESCO World Heritage

Nominated properties are situated on sites with a high annual precipitation that provide for
high soil moisture levels and semiuvidic water regime. The vincinity of a large open water
surface of the Starina and other water reservoir in the adjacent areas provide a source of water
if needed in a case of emergency (forest fire) in any of the nominated properties.
(iv) Visitor/tourism pressures
According to Pichler and Soroková (2004), domestic population in the rural areas
adjacent to the nominated properties does not perceive the difference between forests as such
and truly natural forests as very significant. That is also due to the semi-natural character of
the majority of Carpathian and especially East-Carpathian forests. The awareness of natural
forests is comparatively low. This perception begins to change for better in young generation,
following the inclusion of a more appropriate, ecological interpretation of natural forests in
the modern textbooks and intense ecological and nature protection awareness rising
campaigns through the Carpathian Biosphere Reserve and Poloniny National Park
administrations. Natural forests therefore cannot be considered a primary attractor for the
ecotourism development carried by native citizens. Hiking in the pursuit of physical workout
in a clean environment and wilderness, seeking extraordinary vistas, collecting forest fruits,
camping, hunting and fishing remain the activities mostly sought for by the majority of
domestic visitors. Based on this, it is not recommended to actively advertise mass tourism in
natural forests at present, as the pursuit of such activities would inevitably lead to a
considerable ecosystem load and unchecked penetration of pristine ecosystems. Instead,
guided or interpretative forms of tourism shall be encouraged. Practical experience gathered
by The Centre for Scientific Tourism in Slovakia at the Institute of Ecology, Slovak Academy
of Sciences, during the last six years, i. e. from 1998 till 2003, has delivered important
insights into the public perception of natural forests and their possible utilization for
ecotourism.
Indeed, there is a lasting interest for primeval forests among forestry scientists,
ecologists, nature conservationists and enthusiasts, both native and international. They learnt
about Slovak primeval forests mostly from scientific literature, co-operation and the internet
sites. Their visits surged following the regime change after 1989, first on the basis of personal
contacts and later in the form of guided scientific excursions organized by the Centre for
Scientific Tourism in Slovakia. They also often resulted into further scientific co-operation
and further visits by people generally interested in nature (Zach 2003). Measured by the
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