I didn't grow up in Pančev, but since I came to our city, I know that the popular Pesak is not just a picnic spot, but one of the key toponyms of life for all people from the area.
Last night, footage was coming in from all over fire, news that the Shumarak settlement was evacuated, as well as scenes of burning pavilions in the cult children's resort Čardak, where for years amateur astronomers, painters, librarians, sports and cultural societies and, of course, walkers and nature lovers gathered together with students.
A terrible battle with the fire element
Local Pancevo media reports that firefighters, workers of Vojvodinašum and local residents fought a terrible battle with the elements yesterday to save the educational center. MUP announced that the situation is better, but heat wave it is still going on and the question is what will be the extent of the destruction of the special nature reserve in the end.
For now, this is not the biggest fire in Peščara. Judging by the data from the work of M. Milenković, S. Munćan and V. Babić, there were about 270 of them, the most terrible of which was from 1996, when 3600 hectares were burned.
Big fires also happened in 1973, 1990 and 2007.
Photo: AP Photo/Darko VojinovicBig fires also happened in 1973, 1990 and 2007.
A unique natural monument in Europe
Peščara is a unique nature monument in Europe. An island of sand in the middle of loess agricultural areas with an abundance of living species, from wild boar, roe deer, deer (sometimes wolves), over a huge number of bird species, to various rare, protected species.
The vegetation is incredible - about two-thirds of Peščara is under forest, through which truly fantastic walking paths lead. About 900 species of plants have been listed in the reserve, many of which are relics.
Peščara was once artificially forested. By decision of the Hungarian authorities, reforestation began in 1818 and continues to this day, but fires are a constant threat.
Planet in miniature
In one phase of reforestation, white and black pine were dominantly planted, and less hardwoods, which is considered inconvenient today because it favors the spread of fires.
Photo: TANJUG/ OMK MUP OF THE REPUBLIC OF SERBIA, low resolution photo/ noAbout 900 species of plants have been listed in the reserve, many of which are relics
Peščara is like a notebook divided into squares by fire roads, medians, in order to keep fires under control, but you will constantly hear how, apart from the highway medians, the others are insufficiently maintained.
You cannot love Pančevo without loving Peščara, that unusual place, a desert that was reforested by man to be wild and natural, and which every now and then catches fire and burns fiercely due to the destruction of nature and the carelessness of some people, only to be defended by other people heartily and tirelessly reforested again. Like a human planet in miniature.
Only in August: Save three thousand dinars on the annual subscription to the digital edition of "Vremena"! _Take advantage of the discount here and support independent journalism.
