MONUMENTS OF NATURE OF MIRUSHA RIVER BASIN

Mirusha River Basin is situated in central Kosovo, on the east side of the Dukagjini Plain. This basin represents the left branch of “Drini i bardhe” (White Drini) River with an area of 337 km2 or 3.1 % of Kosovo’s total area. As a result of geographical position, climate, geology and pedology, Mirusha river basin is significant for its geodiversity and biodiversity. According to the IUCN categorization of Protected Areas, in the territory of Mirusha river basin there are several Monuments of nature with high scientific, educational and touristic values. Worth mentioning are the geomonuments (Cave in Panorc, Cave in Dush, Cave in Zatriq and the Canyon of Mirusha River), hydromonuments (Thermo mineral water spring in Banjë, Spring in Carravranë and Mirusha River with lakes and waterfalls), and biomonuments (Pubescent Oak trees in Llazicë, Turkey Oak tree in Drenoc, Turkey Oak tree in Bubël, Turkey Oak tree in Carravranë, etc). The presence of these monuments of nature within Mirusha River Basin adds to the tourism values of this area, but so far these values are not yet recognized and promoted. Precisely the purpose of this paper is to identify the scientific and touristic values of these monuments of nature.