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Socijalna ekologija : časopis za ekološku misao i sociologijska istraživanja okoline, Vol. 33 No. 3, 2024.

Original scientific paper

https://doi.org/10.17234/SocEkol.33.3.7

Evaluating the importance of cultural heritage in a biosphere reserve: the case of Croats (Šokci) local community in the Mura-Drava-Danube biosphere reserve (Vojvodina, Serbia)

Vladimir Stojanović ; Faculty of Sciences, Department of Geography, Tourism and Hotel Management, University of Novi Sad
Miroslav Vujičić ; Faculty of Sciences, Department of Geography, Tourism and Hotel Management, University of Novi Sad
Snežana Besermenji ; Faculty of Sciences, Department of Geography, Tourism and Hotel Management, University of Novi Sad
Maja Mijatov Ladičorbić ; Faculty of Sciences, Department of Geography, Tourism and Hotel Management, University of Novi Sad

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Abstract

Biosphere reserves are protected areas recognized internationally as part of UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere
Programme. Th eir purpose is to test interdisciplinary approaches to managing interactions between
ecological and social systems. Populated areas and communities of local inhabitants, with their customs, culture,
and heritage, are integral parts of numerous biosphere reserves worldwide. Several initiatives and documents
encourage the promotion of cultural diversity in biosphere reserves. Th e main objective of this study
is to off er a fresh perspective on the signifi cance of the cultural heritage of the Croats (Šokci) minority community
located in the Serbian part of the cross-border Mura-Drava-Danube (MDD) Biosphere Reserve. Th e study makes use of the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) technique to achieve this goal. Seven experts,
who are considered as being connoisseurs of the cultural heritage of the Croats (Šokci) and the Mura-Drava-
Danube Biosphere Reserve, were interviewed as part of this study. Th e results indicate that factors such
as sense of belonging and pride of the local community are crucial for the preservation and management of
cultural values in the Biosphere Reserve. Th ese aspects can also play a practical role in tourism development,
which is recognized as one of the most signifi cant activities in biosphere reserves across the globe.

Keywords

biosphere reserve, Croats (Šokci), cultural heritage, identity, local community

Hrčak ID:

324961

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/324961

Publication date:

23.12.2024.

Article data in other languages: croatian german

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