CROSS-SECTORAL COOPERATION IN MANAGEMENT OF NATIONAL PARK UNA

UDK: 630*93:712.2(1-751.2)(497.6 Una) Protected areas have significant role in protection of biodiversity, social and cultural values followed by improvement of life standard of local population. As a country with economy in transition, Bosnia and Herzegovina is trying to follow globally increasing trends in nature protection. Yet, Bosnia and Herzegovina belongs to the group of countries that have difficulties to meet European criteria for minimal percentage of protected areas. Although in the last two decades numerous initiatives for proclamation of protected areas have been launched, the percentage of protected areas is still far from the European average. Establishment of new protected areas is often followed with certain misunderstandings between interest groups, lack of participation, transparency and involvement of all interest groups. The concept of cross-sectoral cooperation imply interaction between different interest groups in specific area characterized by efforts, cooperation and responsibility in order to accomplish joint consensus about the improvement of management of natural resources. This paper is focusing on the concept of cross-sectoral cooperation through the analysis of its implementation in management of National park "Una", as the youngest proclaimed National park in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The attitudes of interest groups related to cross-sectoral cooperation will be discussed together with proposal of several activities for improvement of cross-sectoral cooperation in National park "Una". Results could be useful for key decision makers in nature protection sector and institutions responsible for management of protected areas to recognize importance of cross-sectoral cooperation and promote its implementation and everyday practice.