Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
16.2.2 Forestry
Since land privatisation in the mid-19th century the forest area in Slovenia has
grown from 35 to 56% and this percentage is now one of the highest in Europe.
Forestry has been directed sustainable for more than two centuries, especially after
the Second World War with systematic planned management. Forestry has always
been strong economical pillar of mountain farms. Today most of the timber is sold
to foreign markets. One of the reasons is that wood processing industry, which was
strong in the 1970s and 1980s (but economically not very effective), almost col-
lapsed at the beginning of the 1990s. Despite the emergence of high-quality SMEs,
there still is a big lack of wood processing chains, which could guarantee better
economical situation of less-developed (mountain) areas.
Traditionally, people have the right to walk in the forest regardless of forest own-
ership and this right is guaranteed also by the 1993 Act on Forests. Recreation has
become an important service of the forests and more and more attention in forest
management is dedicated to social and ecological functions of forests.
16.2.3 Mining
Mining has played an important role in the development of mountain areas in the
past. Most mining has stopped or is in decline due to falling market prices, except
for granite and limestone quarrying. First to close was the mercury mine in Idrija,
followed by lead and zinc mine in Mežica and uranium mine Žirovski vrh. Most
of the mining regions face economical and environmental problems. The mining
closure acts provide subsidies for reemployment, planned closure works and wider
economic restructuring of the affected regions. One of the good examples is Idrija,
where closure of the mercury mine was followed by successful economic restructur-
ing. The town of Idrija developed around the second largest mercury mine in Europe
under direct control of the imperial court in Vienna. Mining had been profitable
until the 1970s, when the closure process started. Significant funds were invested
in the closure by the state. At the same time, other local companies (main ones
are Rotomatika and Kolektor) developed with attracting international investors and
becoming important players on the international markets. Today Idrija is one of the
richest municipalities in Slovenia despite its remote location in a deep mountain
valley. In this process an important role was played by the local intelligentsia and
the city museum.
16.2.4 Tourism
Mountain tourism is one of the three main branches of tourism in Slovenia. Two oth-
ers are spas (many spas are actually in the mountains) and the seaside. Statistically
mountain resorts are the most important resorts for the foreign tourists. Tourism is
Search WWH ::
Custom Search