The boat, the first of its kind in Croatia, was christened by World Bank representative Nataly Johnson on behalf of Croatian Environmental and Nature Protection Minister Mirela Holy, who could not attend due to other commitments.
The boat will educate visitors to the park about the importance of wetlands and the electric propulsion will promote awareness of the need to use renewable energy sources. It can transport 60 passengers, was built in the Vodogradnja company in Osijek and is worth HRK 1.4 million (approx. 186,700 euros), half of which was provided by the environment ministry and half by the nature park.
Holy's envoy Nenad Strizirep underscored the importance of "the new ecological approach in nature parks linked with sustainable development," voicing confidence that other protected areas would "switch to eco-boats" as well.
Asked by the press if there was a conflict between Economy Minister Radimir Cacic, who claims that solar power plants are not profitable, and Holy, who pushes for their construction, Strizirep said "there's no conflict."
It is a question of different opinions, which means that "we must sit down and assess through compromise what is in the interest of the economy and what is in the interest of nature protection," he said.