AN IMPORTANT STEP TOWARDS PRESERVING THE HERITAGE OF PODRINJE'S FORESTS

More than 3,000 seedlings of the Pančić spruce, a conifer endemic to the Podrinje region, western Serbia, and eastern Bosnia, including the area around Višegrad, have been planted at the Karačići site near Srebrenica.

This rare and protected species was discovered in 1875 on Mount Tara by Serbian botanist Josif Pančić, after whom it was named.

The planting initiative, covering three hectares, aims to establish a seed plantation to enable further reproduction and conservation of this significant species.

A system for irrigation and protective fencing is planned to ensure optimal growth conditions for the young seedlings. Professor Milan Mataruga from the Faculty of Forestry in Banja Luka emphasized the importance of this project for preserving the genetic diversity of Pančić spruce, noting that seed production is expected to begin in around 20 years.

The project involved workers from the Drina Srebrenica Forest Management, Petroprojekt, and students from the Faculty of Forestry.

Milan Novitović, acting director of the Drina Srebrenica Forest Management, highlighted that this is part of a broader initiative to plant Pančić spruce at various locations, including Rogatica and Višegrad, expanding its presence in the natural environment of Republika Srpska.

This action represents a crucial step towards preserving the Pančić spruce, which contributes significantly to the biological and symbolic richness of the region's natural heritage.