24.04.2026.
On Friday 24 April 2026, the director of the Nature Protection Directorate, Igor Kreitmeyer, the director of the Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency Fund, Luka Balen, the director of Risnjak National Park, Mario Antolić, and several directors of other national parks and nature parks visited the restored pedestrian bridge in Risnjak National Park.After the bridge was damaged in 2022 due to heavy rains and extreme water levels of the Kupa River, it was restored to provide a secure and stable connection path for the local population and numerus visitors to this area.
"The bridge is located in the immediate vicinity of the Kupa River headwater, and it was designed so that it no longer has abutments in the riverbed, thus allowing for uninterrupted natural river flow. The total value of the works amounted to 313 thousand euros, and the project was implemented with co-financing from the Fund, the state budget of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Green Transition, and own funds of the Public Institution Risnjak National Park. All national parks and nature parks also participated in the renovation through the state budget funds from the joint park funds, corroborating solidarity and joint commitment to nature conservation", said director Kreitmeyer.
"Cooperation between the Fund and Risnjak National Park has a wider significance. The Fund has approved EUR 2.6 million for a total of 25 projects implemented for Risnjak. These include projects in the field of biodiversity protection, the use of renewable energy sources, energy efficiency in transport, as well as the project of remediation of illegal dumpsites. This confirms how important it is to systematically invest in nature conservation and sustainable development of our protected areas," said the director of the Fund, Luka Balen.
In addition to the renovation of the bridge, the park has recently been granted 1.8 million euros for the nature restoration project, pending the Government's approval for the conclusion of a contract for the renovation of the Risnjak mountain lodge, worth 1.4 million euros.
The renovated bridge and the preserved nature of this area are an additional incentive for visitors to discover the beauty of the Kupa River source and enjoy the unique landscape of Gorski Kotar.
Photo: Public Institution Risnjak NP
