Review article
Outdoor Activities and Visitor Risk Management in Protected Areas
Ivan Martinić
; Šumarski fakultete Sveučilišta u Zagrebu
Mate Kosović
; JU za upravljanje park šumom Marjan, Split
Ivan Grginčić
; Hrvatske šume UŠP Karlovac
Abstract
The article deals with the establishment of safe recreational zones in protected areas of nature. Risks to visitors and participants in outdoor recreation activities and responsibilities of protected area managements are defined. The basic elements of “visitor risk management” – identifying and assessing risks and selecting safety and control measures are discussed, and so are the financial and legislative aspects of risks. Special focus is placed on the phases in the risk assessment process and the identification of their levels. The likelihood of risk actualization and the severity of possible consequences are juxtaposed. With the view of reducing risks, legislative, organizational and personnel principles are presented and proposals for the development of an integral risk management program in Croatian national parks and nature parks are given. Clearly regulated levels of care by park managers towards visitors are considered the key issue. However, an overly high standard of responsibility of park managers could jeopardize their functioning.
Keywords
nature; protected areas; recreation; risk management; visiting
Hrčak ID:
24052
URI
Publication date:
29.2.2008.
Visits: 2.546 *