Good news for Plitvice Lakes: UNESCO improves conservation status

Plitvice Lakes

Eight years after warnings that excessive construction and wastewater pollution could see Plitvice Lakes removed from UNESCO’s World Heritage List, the iconic Croatian national park has been declared safe, and its conservation status has officially improved, Jutarnji list writes.

According to UNESCO’s latest report, Plitvice Lakes National Park – Conservation Assessment 2025, the site has been upgraded from the third to the second conservation category, now rated as “good with some concerns”.

Plitvice, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1979, remains one of Europe’s most remarkable natural landscapes.

The park’s ecosystem, based on the continuous formation of travertine barriers, has remained stable thanks to high water quality and improved environmental management.

Tomislav Kovačević, Director of the Plitvice Lakes National Park, said that major steps had been taken to restore the park’s reputation. “Back in 2017, we were classified under ‘significant concern’ due to overdevelopment and lack of a wastewater system. We have since implemented all recommendations, though UNESCO did not publish reports for several years. This year, we have finally been recognised for our progress,” Kovačević said.

Key improvements include the installation of a temporary wastewater treatment facility and plans for a permanent EU-funded system, along with stricter building controls and visitor management reforms introduced in 2019.

Plitvice Lakes National Park

UNESCO’s document praises the park’s stable biodiversity, self-sustaining finances, and strong cooperation with local and international partners.

However, it notes that tourism remains the main challenge — with more than 1.4 million annual visitors putting pressure on paths and infrastructure.

To mitigate this, the park has introduced online ticket reservations, hourly visitor limits, and new viewing platforms to disperse crowds more evenly.

Plitvice Lakes in autumn

“Despite ongoing risks from tourism and climate change, Plitvice continues to maintain exceptional natural values,” the report concludes, adding that sustainable visitor management and the completion of key infrastructure projects remain top priorities for the years ahead.