Mainstreaming Karst Peatlands Conservation Concerns into Key Economic Sectors

July 23 2007 The project’s goal is to ensure long-term conservation of the internationally important natural karst systems in BiH and set an example of their conservation across the region. The project objective is to strengthen the policy and regulatory framework for mainstreaming the requirements for conservation of karst biodiversity into productive sectors (mining, water use) and spatial planning at Cantonal level. Specifically, the project will: (i)assist in preparation of biodiversity-minded policy instrument - a Cantonal spatial plan; (ii)introduce municipal-level regulations for karst field biodiversity use by local population parallel to strengthening enforcement capacity of municipal and cantonal officers and inspectors; (iii)develop by-laws and methodological guidance on ecologically safe peat mining, and test it at 750 ha of karst peatlands; and (iv)promote an international (Croatia-BiH) formal agreement and plan for cross-border water management plan. In addition, the project will support collecting information and initial capacity development for monitoring CO2 storage in peatlands and will apply carbon measurement methodology in its monitoring framework. At the time of PDFA request: The project objective is the generation of knowledge applicable to the conservation and sustainable use of polje ecosystems in Bosnia i Herzegovina through the demonstration of conservation practices and techniques in the Livanjsko Polje.