DIKTAS Protection and Sustainable Use of the Dinaric Karst Transboundary Aquifer System - EN

 

Karst is a special type of geologic environment that is formed when soluble rocks, such as limestone and dolomite, are corroded and dissolved by percolating water. Karst hydrogeology is characterized by high fracture controlled permeability, almost total absence of surface water, high infiltration rates and rapid underground flows of groundwater.

Groundwaters of the Dinaric Karst form some of the world's largest karst aquifer systems. The system extends from NE Italy through Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Montenegro to Albania. Karst formations connected with the Dinaric carbonate chain outcrop also in Serbia, FYR Macedonia, and possibly in NW Greece. For the most part, this region is still pristine characterised by a variety of geo-morphological environments.

The DIKTAS Project (2010 – 2014) is initiated by the aquifer-sharing states and is a full-size GEF regional project, implemented by UNDP and executed by UNESCO. The activities of the project focus on Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia and Montenegro. Several other countries and international organizations have also joined this challenging project and provide valuable contribution to realisation of its objectives. The Project is addressing the issue of sustainable management of karst groundwater and ecosystems. It is the first ever attempt globally to introduce integrated management principles in a transboundary karst freshwater aquifer of such magnitude.
It is a collective effort to:

- facilitate the equitable and sustainable utilization of the transboundary water resources of the Dinaric Karst Aquifer Systems,

- protect the unique groundwater dependent ecosystems that characterize the Dinaric Karst region of the Balkan Peninsula.