The UNESCO Council has accepted the Biokovo-Imotska Lakes Geopark as a UNESCO Global Geopark.

Together with the Biokovo Nature Park, the Imotska Lakes represent an area of exceptional cultural heritage, rich historical heritage and natural values, which includes a great diversity of habitats, various plant and animal species, as well as geological diversity reflected in numerous geological formations that have developed in different periods of the Earth’s history. This significant potential of the area is the reason why the Biokovo-Imotska Lakes Geopark is the third area of its kind in the Republic of Croatia.

It is worth remembering that Biokovo was declared a nature park in 1981 due to its exceptional geomorphology, especially the natural beauty of its karst landscapes and biodiversity. In and around Biokovo there are karst fields and numerous karst features such as hills, sinkholes, quarries, canyons, caves, abysses, ice pits, bays, deep canyons and deep pits, the most famous of which are Amfora (788 m), Mokre noge (842 m) and the deepest pit Njemica (863 m).

The area of the new geopark covers 431 square kilometres and is inhabited by 25,000 to 30,000 people. It includes Imotski as the largest town and 13 municipalities. The headquarters of the Geopark will be located in Imotski.

Mario Šiljeg, Director of the Josip Juraj Strossmayer Water Institute and Chairman of the Biokovo Nature Park Management Board, emphasised the numerous benefits of obtaining this important status.

“Tourists come specifically to areas protected by UNESCO, as we have seen in the case of Plitvice Lakes. I expect that the proclamation of the Biokovo – Imotska Lakes Geopark will contribute to the attractiveness of the area and the strong development of the local community through the development of family businesses and other activities.”

Director Šiljeg also emphasised that the results of water quality monitoring conducted by the Josip Juraj Strossmayer Water Institute indicate that the surface waters around Imotski are under pressure from organic pollution due to agriculture, which is to be expected for agriculturally active areas. Nevertheless, the monitoring has revealed a considerable diversity of aquatic flora and fauna, including some endemic species such as the Imotski loach (Delminichthys adspersus). Measures to achieve good status are being actively pursued through water management plans.

It is recommended to visit the hiking trails of the Biokovo-Imotska Lakes Geopark and explore the most attractive places that will take every traveller’s breath away: from the Skywalk to the top of Sveti Jure, as well as Blue Lake, Red Lake and Krčevac Spring, where you can spot the human fish in the clear waters of the spring. Biokovo honey and tea made from Biokovo medicinal herbs are a welcome refreshment for every visitor.