PLITVICE LAKES TOURISM REVITALISATION PROGRAMME

( Editorial: --> 8255 ) ZAGREB, Mar 15 (Hina) - Deputy Tourism Minister Vinka Cetinski and director of the Plitvice Lakes National Park Stjepan Dujmovic last week informed journalists about achievements of the Plitvice Lakes tourism revitalisation program. The Plitvice Lakes are situated in the mountainous region of Croatia, about 100 km south of Zagreb. They consist of 16 lakes connected by waterfalls. Apart from their beauty, the lakes are unique because of their specific flora which are very sensitive to the least ecological changes. The National Park was devastated during the Serbian occupation (1991-1995), but a major part has been restored and is open for visitors. The tourism revitalisation program for the Plitvice National Park was introduced in 1996. Its basic aim was to secure long-term development of the Park together with full protection of the Plitvice Lakes. The program was positively assessed by UNESCO and the Croatian Government established a special commission for its implementation. In November 1997 a Management Board for the Plitvice National Park was established which is responsible for the further implementation of the program. The chairman of the Management Board is the director of Government Environment Protection Authority Ante Kutle and his deputy is Vinka Cetinski. Cetinski highlighted expansion of the Park's area from 19,464 hectares to 29,482 as a special achievement of the government commission. At the same time - as also suggested by UNESCO - accommodation capacity in hotels was reduced from 1,120 to 780 beds. The construction of Camp Korana will soon be finished with just over 2,000 camp sites. The first phase of restoring hotels, restaurants and picnic places has been completed. To protect the National Park it is necessary to ban heavy vehicle traffic through the Park, said Cetinski, adding that the construction of by-pass is planned as well as repair of the sewerage system through the National Park. US$ 18 million has been secured for the whole Plitvice Lakes revitalisation program. The National Park's director Stjepan Dujmovic estimated that about 400,000 people will visit the Plitvice Lakes this year. There were more than 300,000 visitors last year and the revenue from entry fees (just over $US 9) was more than $US2 million. (hina) jn mrb/as 151153 MET mar 98