The Discover Serbia Association, in collaboration with Bosch company, carried out the largest and most massive cleanup action of the Obedska Bara Special Nature Reserve. More than 200 volunteers from Bosch company and 30 members of the Discover Serbia Association participated in this significant initiative.

Thanks to the natural phenomenon of lake filling due to extensive rainfall, the action team had the opportunity to sail Kupinik for the first time in five centuries, the residence of the Branković family. Before our action participants, these waters were sailed by the Brankovićs, a family that ruled this region during the 14th and 15th centuries. On part of the Obedska Bara Nature Reserve, until 1521, there was the Kupinik fortress, which was also the last Serbian capital, after the Turkish conquest of Smederevo in 1459. Kupinik was the capital of Serbian despots for the next 70 years and the center around which nobility, clergy and people gathered, preserving identity and tradition.

In addition to the historical value of this area, SNR Obedska Bara is a natural asset of international significance. It represents a habitat for more than 50 bird communities, as well as a large population of otters, martens, carp and bats. Within this complex there are wetlands, channels, meadows and forests, which extend over about 10,000 ha. In addition to numerous tourists, researchers and ornithologists from around the world gather here.

The problem is the scrubland that forms along the shores and disrupts access to wetland habitats, the animals that inhabit them, as well as floating waste that remains along the shores.

These locations can only be accessed by boats, so the action participants were divided into two teams – the navy team and the infantry team.

The navy team used 6 boats from the Discover Serbia organization’s ecological fleet to access lake cleanup. Licensed skippers skillfully operated shallow-draft boats, enabling access and waste removal from previously inaccessible locations. This was a special opportunity for the navy team to explore Kupinik, which was last navigable five centuries ago. A major contribution of the action was also restoring the historical connection with this area.

The infantry teams cleaned the Special Nature Reserve area from land with expert guides. This included waste removal, garbage collection and general environmental cleanup.

During the action, a competition between teams of navy and infantry was organized, as well as within the teams themselves. This competition motivated participants to give their maximum and contributed to mutual cooperation and excellent atmosphere. Teams that collected the largest amounts of waste were awarded diplomas and medals.

The management of the Obedska Bara Special Nature Reserve expressed sincere gratitude to the Discover Serbia Association for their enormous contribution to nature conservation.

The effort, dedication and enthusiasm of the action participants are clearly visible in the cleanup action results. This action provided everyone with an opportunity to engage in a joint endeavor in nature conservation, while simultaneously reminding of the rich history that shaped these areas.

The Discover Serbia Association, in collaboration with Bosch company, continues with similar initiatives to preserve Serbia’s natural wealth and encourage all citizens to actively participate in environmental protection.