Biodiverse ‘Wind Cave’ receives World Heritage status

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One of the most biodiverse caves in the world has recently received UNESCO World Heritage status. Tourists and scientists alike are celebrating the news as Bosnia’s Vjetrenica Wind Cave system now comes under the global spotlight. It is recognized as one of the most biodiverse caves in the world, formed beneath the unique karstic plains where soluble carbonate rocks dissolve to leave vast underground chambers and passages. The caves have been on UNESCO’s tentative lists for many years, so finally receiving World Heritage status is a great achievement and should promote tourism and scientific research. The water-rich cave with its four main watercourses and numerous streams and underground lakes is vast; so far 7.5km of systems have been explored but there is likely more beyond. Since it was first opened to the public in 1964, tourists can explore a one-kilometer-long trail that highlights many of the cave’s wider caverns and geological features. Evelin Loncar and her husband Marko are visiting from the U.S.A. and believe the UNESCO status is well-justified. “It was beautiful just entering the cave, being hit by the wind. It was cold but it was beautiful, just embracing everything, from the enormity of the cave, seeing the stalagmites, it was gorgeous,” says Evelin Loncar. The UNESCO designation is a boon for scientists who can benefit from its wider global recognition. Brian Lewarne is an analytical chemist and one of the founders of the Proteus Project in Bosnia-Herzegovina, dedicated to studying and protecting Proteus anguinus in the Balkan country. The UNESCO status is good news for Lewarne and his colleagues, the recognition will almost certainly attract funding and promote their research wider internationally. “This cave, now it has got UNESCO accreditation, people should understand it is not just for tourism, it is for international science, this is a globally important location,” says Lewarne. A neighboring museum displays many of the fascinating finds from the caves and explains the global significance of this most biodiverse site. For those looking to dig a bit deeper on their next holiday, the Wind Caves are surely a must-see destination. This article was provided by The Associated Press.