Amra Banda, Muniba Osmanović, Belma Durmišević, Maida Zejnić
TOURISM AS A FACTOR IN THE PHYSIOGNOMIC TRANSFORMATION OF PROTECTED AREAS – CASE STUDY OF THE NATURAL MONUMENT PROKOŠKO LAKE
DOI: 10.35666/28310438.2025.6.70
UDC: 338.484:502.131.1(497.6Prokoško jezero)"2018/2024"
This paper examines the impact of tourism on the physiognomic transformation of protected natural areas, with a particular focus on the Natural Monument (NM) Prokoško Lake in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Through spatial and temporal analysis based on GIS tools and Corine Land Cover data, the study identifies significant land cover changes, especially over the last two decades, driven by increased tourist visits and unregulated construction. The expansion of recreational zones, transformation of natural habitats, and the proliferation of illegally built structures have contributed to the degradation of the lake’s ecosystem, loss of biodiversity, and disruption of its hydrological balance. While tourism has brought certain economic benefits, the lack of sustainable planning and effective environmental governance has led to negative long-term consequences for this protected area. The research underscores the urgent need for integrated and sustainable management strategies, including stricter construction controls, ecological monitoring, waste management systems, and the promotion of ecotourism to ensure the preservation of Prokoško Lake for future generations.
Keywords: physiognomic transformation, tourism, Prokoško lake, unplanned construction.