Prenj Could Soon Become a Protected Area

The first ice cream in Bosnia and Herzegovina was made using ice from this mountain.

September 25, 2025

Prenj — Seated (from left to right): Osman Ćatić, Mayor of Konjic; Nasiha Pozder, Federal Minister of Environment and Tourism; and Renaud Meyer, UNDP Resident Representative. Standing (behind): Zehrudin Isaković, mountaineer and journalist.

Sulejman Omerbašić

On the occasion of World Tourism Day, observed on 27 September under the theme “Tourism and Sustainable Transformation”, a presentation of the Expert Study for the Designation of Prenj Mountain as a Protected Area was held.

The event was organized by the Federal Ministry of Environment and Tourism, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the City of Konjic, in cooperation with professors and experts from the Faculty of Forestry and the Faculty of Science of the University of Sarajevo.

During the presentation, held at the “Senad Muhibić – Dundo” Mountain Lodge in Rapti, members of the expert team responsible for preparing the study emphasized that the process had reached its final stage and involved the contribution of 30 university professors and experts.

Professor Sead Vojniković, coordinator of the expert team, highlighted the exceptional diversity of ecosystems found on Prenj, noting that all available evidence supports its designation as a national park, with certain areas potentially qualifying for the status of strict nature reserves.

“Based on the preliminary data and research available to us, all indicators point towards this level of protection. This is a vast area, and the fact that between 12 and 15 per cent of its flora is endemic, combined with the presence of 24 Natura habitats, strongly supports the case for national park designation,” said Vojniković.

Professor Amra Banda, an expert in sustainable tourism, emphasized that Prenj is a unique mountain and an integral part of the local community’s identity.

“Its natural and cultural heritage, traditional villages and livestock farming traditions offer significant potential for sustainable tourism development. Protecting Prenj is crucial for the future development of this region. As an interesting historical note, the first ice cream in Bosnia and Herzegovina was reportedly made using ice brought down from Prenj, which speaks to the mountain’s rich heritage and longstanding significance. At the same time, when discussing the boundaries of protection, we must remain realistic and mindful of local circumstances. At this stage, the proposal foresees part of the Neretva Canyon being connected to the protected area,” Banda said.

Federal Minister of Environment and Tourism Nasiha Pozder emphasized the importance of cooperation with local communities and international partners and expressed readiness to move forward with the initiative through a collaborative approach.

“Protection does not mean putting life on hold in this area — quite the opposite. We have succeeded in launching this initiative in the Konjic area, and I believe that Mostar and Jablanica will soon join this historic endeavour. Our goal is to ensure that natural systems and ecological realities are given greater weight than administrative boundaries,” Minister Pozder stated.

Mayor of Konjica Osman Ćatić stated:

“This is a project of generational importance. I believe it can serve as a model for future conservation initiatives, and I am pleased that the protection of the magnificent Prenj Mountain has been approached in such a professional and systematic manner. We have actively involved local communities, the forestry sector and, most importantly, mountaineering associations, whose members are deeply connected to this area and have provided their full support to this historic endeavour.”

The presentation was also attended by Renaud Meyer, Resident Representative of UNDP, who expressed admiration for the natural beauty of the area and the view from Rapti overlooking the peaks of Prenj.

“UNDP strongly supports initiatives such as this, as they contribute to biodiversity conservation, sustainable tourism development and stronger local communities. Prenj is a symbol of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s rich natural heritage, and its designation as a protected area would represent an important step on the country’s path towards a more sustainable future,” said Renaud Meyer, UNDP Resident Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The presentation also highlighted the area's tourism potential, particularly the importance of the Via Dinarica initiative. Participants noted that Bosnia and Herzegovina lies at the heart of Via Dinarica, while Prenj represents its very core. Mountaineer and journalist Zehrudin Isaković, whose life and work have long been connected to the mountains, described the occasion as a historic moment.

“People have been coming here to hike and explore since the Austro-Hungarian period. The outline of Prenj’s peaks resembles the trace of an electrocardiogram. Our shared task should be to find the right balance and ensure that this mountain is managed in a way that allows more people to discover and appreciate it, while preserving its unique values,” said Isaković.

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These activities are being implemented through the UNDP projects Sustainability of Protected Areas, funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), and Via Dinarica, funded by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) and the Government of Bosnia and Herzegovina.