Responsible management of mountain water resources

In increasingly populated mountain areas, visitors are often unaware of the unique characteristics and vulnerability of this environment and its hydrological connections. There are an increasing number of tourists among visitors who seek refuge from the hot valleys in the mountains and bathe in springs or high-altitude lakes to cool off. However, increased visits to mountain areas also bring with them larger quantities of wastewater, which in some areas is still being discharged into the natural environment in an inappropriate manner.

The intention of the project is to raise awareness among mountain visitors and the wider public about the vulnerability of mountain water ecosystems and springs, and to encourage them to behave responsibly and actively protect these sensitive environments. We will focus on the issues of swimming in springs and high-altitude lakes, the problem of inadequate wastewater management, and the impact of climate change on the state of aquatic ecosystems.

The aim of the project is to increase understanding of the need to protect mountain water ecosystems and encourage behavioral changes among mountain visitors so that they treat them responsibly. At the same time, we want to raise awareness among the general public about the importance of clean water ecosystems for nature and for public good.

As part of the project, we will organize a round table and an awareness campaign in Slovenian and English, which will broaden our perspective on the vulnerability of mountain water resources.