Škocjan Caves mark 30th anniversary of UNESCO listing

Soon after the Škocjan Caves' entry on the list in 1986, Slovenia began its efforts to establish the Škocjan Caves Regional Park, which would ensure state protection of the caves' delicate ecosystem, said Ščuka.

The Škocjan Caves Regional Park Act was adopted in 1996 and a year later, the Public Service Agency, which currently employs 22 people, began its operation as the Park's managing authority.

Now, 30 years later, the Škocjan Caves are still Slovenia's only natural site listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. They are thus an important Slovenian tourist site visited by more than 100,000 visitors per year.

"Our concern with the park's recognition contributes much to this; we focus much on education about conservation. Our staff offer their knowledge every day to visitors who enjoy the beauties of the Karst underworld. We hope that they learn something...