REPUBLIC OF SRPSKA PRESERVES THREE PRIMEVAL FORESTS

Primeval forests are forests composed of trees of different sizes and ages that have developed naturally, without human influence. In them, natural processes take place from germination to the natural decay of trees and the cycles that follow. Because of this, they are formed as unique and valuable ecosystems.

The Republic of Srpska is among the very few places in Europe that still preserve true natural forests, known as primeval forests, consisting mainly of mixed stands of spruce, fir and beech.

In the Republic of Srpska, three primeval forests have been preserved: Perućica, Janj and Lom.

The Perućica Primeval Forest (1,434 ha) is one of the largest and best-preserved primeval forests in Europe. It is located within Sutjeska National Park, stretching across the southern Dinaric Alps in the southeastern part of the Republic of Srpska.

The Janj Primeval Forest lies in the western part of the Republic of Srpska, in the municipality of Šipovo, on the western slopes of the Stolovaš massif.

The Lom Primeval Forest is also situated in western Republic of Srpska, on the mountain massif of Klekovača, along the ridge of Mount Lom, at elevations ranging from 1,250 to 1,522 meters above sea level.

Today, these primeval forests are considered extremely rare natural phenomena in Europe and are highly valued, since in most European countries they disappeared long ago. In many places, the importance of primeval forests was realized too late — only after they had already vanished.