Human Impacts
Since the area was proclaimed a national park in 1949, the traditional economy (based on timber cutting and sawmill activities) was replaced by fast expanding tourism, including the construction of several buildings along the lakes' shore.
The primary concern of the employees of the National Park is to preserve the unique, natural phenomenon in integrity, and to minimize the human impact on the environment. Any activities such as hunting, fishing, independent tourism, collection of plants, dog walking, even bathing in the lakes are prohibited. Since 1958, the park has open to visitors. To prevent the influence of man on the national park, hiking trails have been laid out, and wooden bridges built, in the most picturesque places. Getting around the park can only be via these. Boats are found on the biggest lake, Lake Kozjak to prevent minimal contamination of the lakes. Intervention in the life of the forest is also minimal. Fallen branches and trees are not raised or removed, to prevent interference in the process of self-regeneration of the forest. The trees and the branches that fall into the water are also not touched, as they participate in the life of the lakes - the petrification, and the formation of new barriers and waterfalls. Pollution of the lakes is becoming a major threat, due to an inadequate sewage system which has been contaminating the lakes. The water supply for the Park and surrounding area is currently being taken from Lake Kozjak, which interferes with water flow and the travertine formation process. Some of the threats that have had the greatest, long-lasting effects on Pltivice started in the 1990's at the beginning of the Croatian War for Independence. In 1991, the Park was abandoned by staff due to civil unrest in the region. The lack of supervision by conservationists resulted in the destruction of forests and Park facilities as well as the hunting of bears and fishing with dynamite. Several villages in and around the Northern area of the park were also destroyed. Due to the deconstruction of the park, Plitvice Lakes was placed on the World Heritage Danger List in 1992, but taken off in 1997. |