Rogot

Rogot (Serbian: Рогот) is a protected forest in central Serbia, declared a Natural Monument (Споменик природе Рогот). It is located within the municipal boundaries of Batočina, Brzan, and Dobrovodica, in the Šumadija District, and is administered by the Municipality of Batočina. It extends between the Lepenca River and Kijevski Stream. The forest covers 291 hectares and serves as a popular destination for outdoor recreation and hunting of various game. The Rogot management unit is part of the Šumadija Forest Area, under the ownership of the Institute for Nature Conservation of Serbia. It is managed by Srbijašume, specifically by the Kragujevac Forest Estate. History The protected area is a representative of the once widely spread large oak forests in the southwestern part of the Great Morava Valley. The original forest in the area was cut down during World War I, and most of the current forest was planted in the late 1930s, using a method known as sowing "under the plow". This method of sowing involves planting acorns into open furrows, and was practiced on small plots of rural estates. This was first done using pedunculate oak (Quercus robur). For reforestation of some parts and smaller areas, ash (Fraxinus angustifolia), black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia), black pine (Pinus nigra), black walnut (Juglans nigra), and American ash (Fraxinus americana) have been used. In March 1804, Karađorđe defeated the army of the Dahija Kučuk-Ali near Rogot. Prince Miloš used to graze his pigs in this forest, the young Obrenovići hunted here, and mushroom enthusiasts searched for truffles. Hunting in Rogot Hunting within the preserve, which at the time was privately owned by Milan Obrenović, began on 13 October 1896, with the establishment of the Union of Hunting Associations of the Kingdom of Serbia (now the Hunting Federation of Serbia). In one of its first acts, the Union Administration requested hunting associations to send reports of game captured to the Union's Representation. At the founding meeting, discussions were held about the necessity of a "Hunting Law" and how to facilitate its adoption by the National Assembly as soon as possible. The Rogot Hunting Association was established in 1936. Various mammals (wolf, red fox, marten, wildcat, hare) and birds (partridge, quail, eagle, hawk, buzzard) have been hunted in this area. Other recreational activities Throughout history, Rogot has been used by various associations and organisations. One example is the Šumadija Beekeeping Society, which has held several courses and events including the annual beekeepers' assembly in Batocina in 1933. Other activities organised in Rogot include motorcycle gatherings, dog shows, and children's cross-country races. It is also a popular excursion spot for schoolchildren. Location The natural monument is situated 15 km northeast of Kragujevac and 3 km from Batočina, at the intersection of the railway line Lapovo–Kragujevac and the Belgrade–Niš Highway. It is situated approximately 1 km from the highway and approximately 4 km from the confluence of the Great Morava river. This flat and densely populated area's forest complex is bordered by the settlements of Lapovo, Brzan, Dobrovodica, Badnjevac, Prnjavor, Žirovnica, and Batočina. The forest is located at an altitude of 107 to 111 meters. Protection Rogot Natural Monument has been protected by a resolution since 1971. This artificially planted oak forest, with a total area of 339.14 hectares, was placed under protection to preserve the artificially planted culture of pedunculate oak (a rare forest type in the Republic of Serbia), facilitate the development of the forest, and preserve the habitat of the oak and the overall biodiversity of the protected area. Today, this botanical natural monument covers an area of 290.95 ha and administratively belongs to the municipality of Batocina. The protected area is under the IUCN category III protection regime, which allows "selective and limited use of natural resources and controlled interventions and activities in the area, as long as they are in line with the functions of the protected natural asset or are related to traditional inherited forms of economic activities and living, including tourism construction". The management of the natural monument is entrusted to the public enterprise Srbijašume, with administration carried out through the Forest Estate Kragujevac. Since the entire forest is of approximately the same age, premature natural regeneration is being carried out, supported by artificial interventions such as acorn planting. The goal of this measure is to extend the regeneration over a longer period, with the long-term goal of ensuring the sustainability of the pedunculate oak forest. Civic associations such as hiking clubs or environmental organizations frequently participate in the forest regeneration activities. Flora and fauna Today, the forest's botanical composition is predominantly deciduous, with a small percentage of coniferous trees. The majority of the protected area, 314.85 ha, is planted with pedunculate oak (Quercus robur), with the presence of trees of Turkey oak (Quercus cerris) and smaller groups of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) and black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia). Common accompanying species include elm (Ulmus effusa), field elm (Ulmus minor), white poplar (Populus alba), ash (Fraxinus angustifolia), hornbeam (Carpinus betulus), European cranberrybush (Viburnum opulus), and dogwood (Cornus sanguinea). In the mid-20th century, Rogot was a nesting site for several bird species currently rare or endangered in Serbia, such as the imperial eagle (Aquila heliaca), lesser spotted eagle (Aquila pomarina), and Ural owl (Strix uralensis). These species are no longer present in the area, primarily due to urbanization of the surrounding region and the destruction of natural habitats. However, it is still inhabited by some protected and threatened bird species, including the European honey buzzard (Pernis apivorus), black stork (Ciconia nigra), tawny owl (Strix aluco), and the middle spotted woodpecker (Dendrocopos medius). Nursery of Forest Seedlings The Rogot nursery operates within the Forest Estate "Kragujevac". It is located at an altitude of 115 m, on a gently sloping terrain with a northwest exposition, 2 km from the highway. The total area of the nursery is 7 ha, of which 5 ha is productive land. The nursery produces both coniferous and deciduous seedlings. Tourism The natural monument is a significant tourist attraction in the Municipality of Bačkojna. Although it is near urban areas and accessible, it has preserved its natural character. A small area for visitors has been built around the hunting lodge, with benches, swings, and seesaws for children. Visitors can also visit the forest seedling nursery and the pheasantry. Historical attractions include the old menzulana (postal station) built in 1858, where the Hunting Association of Serbia was founded. Rogot is also a place for mushroom enthusiasts to search for truffles. Gallery References Sources Ostojić, Dragana; Jančić, Gordana; Krsteski, Biljana; Vukin, Marina (January–June 2021). "KОМПЕНЗАЦИЈСКE МЕРE КАО ПРИМЕР ОДРЖИВОГ РАЗВОЈА ЗАШТИЋЕНОГ ПРИРОДНОГ ПОДРУЧЈА – СПОМЕНИК ПРИРОДЕ "РОГОТ"" [COMPENSATORY MEASURES AS A MODEL FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF PROTECTED NATURAL AREAS – NATURAL MONUMENT "ROGOT"] (PDF). Оригинални научни рад (in Serbian). 1–2: 107–125. Retrieved 26 March 2024.