Bosnia postage stamps year 2012 European nature protection stamps set

Bosnia postage stamps year 2012 European nature protection stamps set MNH set

Bosnia and Herzegovina is a region rich in biodiversity, with a high level of species and ecosystem diversity, making it one of Europe’s hotspots for nature conservation. However, the country faces significant challenges in protecting its natural heritage.

Current Status of Nature Protection

• Protected Areas: Currently, less than 3% of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s territory is designated as protected areas, which is far below the European Union’s average of almost 30%.
• Legislative Framework: The country has environmental legislation that includes rules for protecting natural areas. However, this framework is often inadequate and lacks effective enforcement. There are gaps in legislation, particularly concerning forests; for instance, the Federation of BiH has lacked forest laws since 2009.

Initiatives and Challenges

• Doubling Protected Land Area: In recent years, there have been efforts to increase protected land areas. For example, an initiative aimed to double the proportion from about 2% to at least 4% by expanding protection to sites like Mediteranetum Botanical reserve and Mt. Orjen – Mt. Bijela Gora.
• Environmental Strategy Development: Bosnia and Herzegovina has developed an Environmental Strategy (ESAP 2030+) with support from international organizations like SEI. This strategy aims to align environmental policies with EU standards as part of its accession process.
• Challenges: Despite these initiatives, challenges persist due to economic interests often taking precedence over environmental protection. Organized crime linked to deforestation remains a significant issue. Public participation in decision-making processes related to environmental issues is also limited.

Future Directions

To effectively protect its natural heritage while aligning with European standards:

1. Strengthen Legislation: Implement robust laws that prevent illegal activities such as deforestation.
2. Increase Public Participation: Encourage public involvement in decision-making processes regarding environmental policies.
3. Investment in Sustainable Practices: Promote sustainable tourism and economy practices within protected areas.
4. EU Alignment: Continue efforts towards harmonizing policies with EU acquis as part of accession negotiations.

By addressing these challenges through strengthened legislation and increased public engagement, Bosnia can better protect its unique biodiversity while advancing towards EU membership goals.