On the International Day for Biological Diversity, May 22, Young Researchers of Serbia, together with the PE “Vojvodinašume,” hosted the Ambassador of Sweden H.E. Ms. Charlotte Sammelin at the Special Nature Reserve “Obedska Bara.”
Although more and more people are beginning to understand the importance of biodiversity for our future, human activities continue to be a major cause of species extinction. Despite all our technological progress, we entirely rely on healthy ecosystems for our water, food, medicine, clothing, fuel, and energy.
“It is my pleasure to highlight how glad I am that we are marking the International Day for Biological Diversity together with the Embassy of Sweden and H.E. Ms. Charlotte Sammelin, Young Researchers of Serbia, and UNDP so that we can visit this area today and see the results of the joint projects we are implementing in this nature reserve,” said Dr. Marko Marinković, Executive Director of “Vojvodinašume” for forestry, ecology, and development. Along with his team, he greeted the guests and emphasized the significance of these events in fostering future collaboration between these institutions.
“When biodiversity is in trouble, humanity is in trouble,” the UN reminds us. The Young Researchers of Serbia, with nearly five decades of experience in nature conservation and biodiversity conservation through education, stakeholder cooperation, and volunteerism, showcased to Ambassador Sammelin how the variety of ecosystems, species, and genetic diversity is maintained at Obedska Bara. We also showcased how nature-based solutions protect ecosystems and human settlements from the negative impacts of climate change.
“On this International Day for Biological Diversity, it is an honour for me to visit Obedska Bara—one of the most valuable wetland ecosystems in Serbia and a vital refuge for many bird species. This area symbolizes the importance of preserving biodiversity for the health of our planet and future generations. Sweden is proud to support Serbia’s efforts through partnerships with civil society, including the Young Researchers of Serbia, whose work on restoring and protecting this unique habitat is truly inspiring. Together, we are building a more sustainable and nature-positive future,” stated Ambassador Sammelin.
Obedska Bara is one of the oldest protected nature reserves in the world, with its first official administrative protection dating back to 1874. This unique wetland is a natural complex of stagnant tributaries, marshes, pits, marsh vegetation, water meadows, and forests, creating an exceptional diversity of ecosystems and species, including many rare and endangered ones. The unique but very vulnerable ecosystems of marshes and gallery forests of Obedska bara slowly lose their natural properties due to many natural and anthropogenous factors and processes. Recognizing the importance of wetlands for the development of local communities, YRS is stimulating cooperation with managers of protected areas, inclusion of local population in sustainable tourism development, dialogue and openness to nature protection.
“More than a quarter of a century after organizing the first international volunteer work camp at Obedska Bara, we can confidently say that our unique approach to nature conservation makes a significant contribution to its restoration, helps to establish a balance between human and natural communities, mobilizes local people to protect these areas, and fosters cooperation between citizens, civil society organizations, and protected area managers. We are very grateful to Sweden for recognizing the potential of this approach and for supporting, together with the EU, innovative methods in the protection and restoration of Serbia’s ecosystems,” said Tanja Petrović, Executive Director of the Young Researchers of Serbia.
Through the project “Return of the Ibis,” Young Researchers of Serbia, JP Vojvodinašume, the Institute for Nature Conservation of Voivodina Province, and the Municipality of Pećinci cleared over one hundred hectares of wet meadows. This led to an increase in the number of bird species nesting at Obedska Bara, and in 2016, the Glossy ibis (lat. Plegadis falcinellus) was spotted again after more than 50 years. The newly restored wet meadows have also become favourable breeding grounds for fish, amphibians, and reptiles, as well as a habitat for many herbaceous plant species. Interest in preserving Obedska Bara has grown among residents of Kupinovo and Obrež, and thanks to international volunteers, the beauty, significance, and tradition of Obedska Bara has become recognized worldwide.
Sweden, together with the European Union, supports restoration of Obedska Bara through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) initiative “EU for the Green Agenda in Serbia”.
