World Wetlands Day

The World Wetlands Day is celebrated on February 2 to warn the public of the need to protect and preserve them. Wetlands are the richest ecological systems that make up 6% of the Earth's surface, home to 40% of all plant and animal species.

The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands was signed in the Iranian city of Ramsar in 1971, which is one of the most important international agreements on their protection. The signatories are obliged to adopt protection programs and include protection and sustainable use measures in their spatial planning and use plans. Bosnia and Herzegovina ratified the Convention on 24 September 2001 and currently has three habitats that have met the criteria: Livanjsko field, Hutovo blato Nature Park and Bardača site.

The Livanjsko field covers 46,000 hectares and is one of the largest in the world. It is a combination of wetlands, important bird habitats, peatland and meadows inhabited by endemic and rare species. It is one of the best-preserved fields in BiH and special strategies are planned for its protection. (Željka Šaravanja)