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Topical - Geoheritage
(NP Tara, NP Mokra Gora (Fig. 6) and Krupanj-Valjevo
regions) and northern parts
(Fruška Gora and Vršac Hills). Incorporation
of the georoutes into local and regional
tourist attractions could motivate other
geologists, naturalists and stakeholders to
be involved in and encourage new ideas
and inventiveness.
Among the activities planned to raise
awareness for geoheritage and geoconservation
are: training courses for staff working
in national parks, popular lectures for
local and regional authorities and creation
of geological displays for locals and the
wider public.
Concluding remarks
Figure 5: Geotourist map of Boljevac area with georoute „In limestone world“ (Maran 2012).
The profile of geoconservation in Serbia
has grown considerably since 2004 after
completion of the preliminary list of geoheritage
sites. The work is undertaken
thanks largely to Serbian geoscientists,
who made an effort to put internationally
agreed objectives into practice, and also due
to their active participation in the inclusion
of international standards into the national
regulation.
There are several further steps proposed
to intensify work on the geoheritage of
Serbia:
Figure 6: On-site presentation at Kotroman section, Mokra Gora area, western Serbia (photo: D.
Milovanović).
Valjevo region” (2008-2011). Based on
these projects, some valuable publications
have been issued in recent years, such as
popular books, brochures, geoheritage and
geotourist maps that contain relevant information
on the geology and geodiversity of
studied areas.
Serbia has a great educative potential for
outdoor activities, including guided georoutes,
thematic trails and on-site presentations,
intended for the general public,
students and children to promote the
geodiversity values of Serbia as well as to
increase geo-environmental knowledge and
the public interest in exploring the natural
surroundings. At the moment, one of the
most promising activities is the establishment
of georoutes. There are several proposals
to organize geotours across Serbia
that relate to areas with great geotourism
potential (Maran, 2012-unpublished PhD
thesis), such as those in its eastern (Djerdap
Gorge and Boljevac area, Fig. 5), western
• prepare a national geoconservation
strategy;
• standardize the criteria for geosite
inventory and classification;
• continue the inventory of geoheritage;
• increase public awareness of the
importance of geoheritage;
• ensure the support of planners, developers
and strategic stakeholders for
geoconservation;
• upgrade the existing legislation by
establishing new directives on geoheritage
protection;
• allocate the funds and provide the
support for scientific geoheritage
projects;
• strengthen the cooperation among
relevant geological national and
international institutions;
• enhance capacity-building in geoconservation,
including new geological
specialists - “geoconservationalists”;
• develop a scientific and environmental
base to evaluate the potential of
Fruška Gora and Mokra Gora to
become geoparks.
European Geologist 34 | November 2012
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