Public Perception of the Social and Ecological Status of Lake Ćelije

The lack of environmental awareness and social culture globally has become one of the important determinants of sustainable development problems that also affect industries in the field of environmental protection and tourism. This paper aims to draw more attention to a socio-ecological overview of Lake Ćelije and its potential for ecotourism as one of the ecosystem services by assessing the perception of the local community. 122 respondents were invited to take part in the survey by filling in an online questionnaire using social networks. The results of the survey show that the local community recognized that the water quality of Lake Ćelije with its surroundings was threatened by pollution generating from agricultural activities and landfills near the lake. However, the results indicate that Lake Ćelije with its environmental qualities has great potential for the development of ecotourism through cooperation with the local community and education of people, especially addressing these concerns to local management structures and policymakers.