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Having reached a successful interim
stage in the Slovak Karst it would be a shame not to build on this and encourage soft tourism and eco-development of the area.
With the exception of the scars of communist industrial
production and the silo tower blocks (Luniks) outside the old walled town of the
regional capital of Kosice, there is a lot to remind one of the relatively pre-1940 European countryside with horses and carts
on the byroads, hayricks and friendly country people.
Last year we sent out mails recommending birding holidays
in the Slovak Karst. The conservation NGO SOSNA, which also promotes traditional customs, handicrafts and chemical-free farming
has geared up its activity in this direction in 2002. up a few notches this year. The best time for birders to visit would
be the end of May.
SOSNA has now made accommodation arrangements directly in
the Karst just short of the entrance to the Zadiel valley gorge. A small, simple,
family pension (for English-speakers: "pon-see-ohn") offers 30 beds in 5 separate rooms with 2 kitchens and 2 bathrooms. As
required villagers will prepare meals from locally grown or prepared products.
An overnight stay costs 100 Slovak
crowns per head (less than Euro 2.5) There are excellent opportunities for bird watching within walking distance: in the valley
and gorge, above on the Zadiel plateau; or an hour and a half walk to the nearby Turna castle. Bird species include Rock
Bunting (Emberiza cia), Rock Thrush (Monticola saxatilis), Barred Warbler (Sylvia nisoria), Imperial Eagle (Aquila heliaca)
, Saker Falcon (Falco cherrug) and, on and around the nearby Turna or Hrhov fishponds, Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea), Great Reed
Warbler (Acrocephalus arundinaceus), Savi's Warbler (Locustella luscinioides), etc.
In the oak and beech forests Collared
Flycatcher (Ficedula albicollis), Red-breasted Flycatcher (Ficedula parva) (Ficedula parva), Middle spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopos
medius), White-backed Woodpecker (Dendrocopos leucotos), Grey-headed Woodpecker (Picus canus) and Black Woodpecker (Dryocopus
martius) are to be found.
You can read more about the Slovak Karst and the Proact
campaign at < www.proactnow.org/slovakkarst > and the other links (with bird lists) on this page.
A cultural tourism agenda, guided by SOSNA - members, is also (or additionally)
offered. This includes a one week programme of visits to historical peculiarities of the Karst and Abov region:
- the stone labyrinth
- the ruins of a small church from the 11th century in
the forest
- a bronze age archaeological site
and
various activities for the whole family, including children, folk music, painting of mandalas and meditation courses.
The complete program, including bird watching tours, cultural events, accommodation and full board for 1 week
can be calculated exactly but should not cost more than Euro 100 per person. For the inner man and woman there are 3
good restaurants within 20 km of Zadiel.
This year other activities focusing on promotion of soft
- tourism in the Karst are planned. the mayor of Turna nad Bodvou (a village below Turna castle) will organise training in
small business including green tourism for local people, and SOSNA plan in co-operation with the technical University in Kosice,
to organise with the villages of Hrhov, Turna, and partner NGOs from Hungary and the EU, training in eco-tourism for people
from the Karst.
We hope that these courses will encourage locals to start
up small eco-tourist schemes in coming years.
SOSNA will also be running a summer camp nearby Hrhov,
to clean up the surroundings of the local 6 m high waterfall and to prepare an educational route around the village, visiting
the unique karst eco-systems.
Together with other Slovakian NGOs, SOSNA began in 2002
long campaign to change the hunting law in Slovakia and to enhance measures for raptor protection. This campaign will last
approximately 2 years and will include press releases, media activities; informing the public about bad hunting practices
in Slovakia. The aim is to win as much public support as possible. Proact has pledged to give its support and advice when
needed; we are also cooperating with several other countries in Europe on the planning for a campaign against the illegal
trade in birds of prey, and their eggs and nestlings, in the Proact European Raptor Enterprise PREPARE.
David Conlin
Proact International
February 2002
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