The Geoprk of the Croatian Lakes Biokovo-Imotski has been added to the list of world geoparks, during the 8th session of the UNESCO Council for Global Geoparks held in Morocco.
This Croatian geopark is expected to officially join the list of UNESCO World Geoparks in April next year, SchengenVisaInfo.com reports.
In a statement released on September 8, the Croatian National Tourism Board said that Croatia now has three geoparks on the UNESCO list, adding to the previously listed geoparks of Papuk and the Vis archipelago.
Croatia is globally recognised as a tourist destination with exceptionally preserved nature, and the news about the inclusion of the third Croatian geopark on the UNESCO list further confirms this fact.
According to the Director of the Public Institution PP Biokovo Slavo Jakša, the Geopark has extraordinary importance, including cultural, historical, and natural treasures, displaying different geology and habitats for numerous plant and animal species.
At the same time, the Mayor of Imotski, Ivan Budalić confirmed the active financial support of the city of Imotski throughout the process. He further unveiled plans for constructing a modern visitor centre within the Geopark as the next step and a prominent goal.
As the Director of the Tourist Board of Imota Luka Kolovrat explains, receiving the UNESCO designation significantly increases the destination’s visibility and paves the way for developing tourism as a unique and beautiful form of selective tourism.
“In addition, the Geopark Biokovo-Imotski lakes provide many benefits and development opportunities for the entire area, from the development of agriculture, catering, and service activities to the improvement of cooperation with other parks and partners,” he also noted.
Moreover, one of the highlights of the Biokovo-Imotski Lakes Geopark is the Blue Lake, characterised by its elliptical shape and varying depths ranging from 300 to 500 meters. The water level in this lake experiences annual fluctuations, sometimes reaching astonishing depths of up to 100 meters.
Located on the outskirts of the historic town of Imotski, Blue Lake serves as a favourite summer destination, drawing crowds for swimming and relaxing gatherings.
The decision to cooperate in forming the UNESCO Geopark Biokovo-Imotska Jezera came from the recognition that Biokovo Nature Park and Imotska Krajina constitute a geological treasure within the Dinaric Karst region. This joint initiative aimed to exploit the potential of both areas for the benefit of the local community. As a result, the idea for the future UNESCO Geopark, Biokovo-Imotska Jezera, was created in 2019 through the combined efforts of the Biokovo Nature Park and the Imotska Jezera Geopark Association, based in Imotski.
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