Protected areas management: A case study of the State enterprise "Srbijašume"

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to perform an analysis of the management of protected areas in the Republic of Serbia, with special reference to the management of protected areas entrusted to the State Enterprise for Forest Management “Srbijašume”. Method of evaluating the natural and created values of an area, procedures for placing certain parts of nature under protection, management of protected natural assets, appointment of the manager of the protected area were analyzed. For this purpose, data on the protection and management of protected areas on the territory of Serbia in the period 1948–2022 were collected and analyzed, i.e. data on the protection and management of protected areas under the jurisdiction of SE “Srbijašume”. Serbia is characterized by a rich and diverse natural heritage that is reflected in a wide range of geological, geomorphological, pedological, climatic, hydrological and biological diversity. A large number and diversity of plant and animal species, their communities and ecosystems make Serbia a Europe in miniature, and one of the centers of its biological diversity. In order to preserve special natural values and improve their condition, certain parts or natural ecosystems, as well as species, are declared protected natural assets. According to the Law on Nature Protection, protected natural assets in Serbia are protected areas, protected species and movable protected natural documents. For the management of 93 protected areas of national importance that cover an area of 623 011 ha (90% of the total area protected in Serbia), 49 managers have been appointed. The State Enterprise for Forest Management “Srbijašume” manages 54 protected areas on a land surface of 348 725 ha, which is 51.4% of the total land surface of protected areas in Serbia (691 434 ha or 7.81% of the Republic of Serbia). Preservation, protection and improvement of natural values represent part of the strategy and one of the key goals in the business policy of SE “Srbijašume”, the leading enterprise in the management of protected areas. Of the total land surface of protected areas, there are 9445.63 ha (2.71%) in the protection regime of 1st degree, 64 679.07 ha (18.52%) in 2nd degree of protection, and 274 699.96 ha (78,77%) in 3rd degree of protection. In paper stated that protected and preserved nature ensures the permanent existence of fundamental values and potential for the development of Serbia. Based on the analysis of the current way of managing of the protected areas, the paper proposed the measures that should be implemented for the efficient functioning of protected areas.