In the speleological records are described more than 25 kilometers of underground channels, and the total depth of explored caves is 2100 meters
The aves and the pits are one of the most valuable natural resources in the municipality of Bijelo Polje. Although a lot of had been said about the Đalovića ‘s Cave (Pećini nad Vražjim) whirlpools as one of the largest and most beautiful caves in Montenegro, the general public is not adequately and comprehensively familiar with these natural karst phenomena.
Depths
Speleologists PSK Akovo have located, partially or fully investigated more than 100 caves and pits in the area of the municipality of Bijelo Polje. It's a great job because on every cave and pit numerous studies, precise measurement and topographical drawings were done. Furthermore it was made an extensive photo and video documentation and the overflow data will soon be available at www.speleologija.me which is under construction. In the speleplogistcs records are described more than 25 kilometars of underground channels, which total depth of explored caves till now is 2100 meters, corresponding with a depth of 700 floors below ground.
From the total number of speleologistic structures described in the area of the municipality of Bijelo Polje, 63 are caves and 37 are pits. With permanent and temporary water course are located 24 objects, from which 9 are permanent and temporary wells and springs, and 15 are permanent and temporary abysses.
The studies that have lasted a year were supported by the Regional Development Agency for Bjelasica, Komovi and Prokletije and the Municipality of Bijelo Polje.
Đalovića canyon and cave
The most important areas for speleological research are the plateau Pešterska with the canyon Đalovića, the upper Vraneša area regarding the Stožersko-Barička area, the mountain Bjelasica and the village area Dobrakovo.
The most interesting unexplored area is the area Đalovića canyon, where almost 20 caves are located. Besides the caves over the Vražjim whirlpools, in the canyon Đalovića are located few very interesting spring caves like Juriško spring, Glava Bistrica, Brno, then several abyss caves and a lot of unexplored caves in the vertical side area, which is an area protected by the Republic Institute for Nature Protection.
In Đalovića canyon is located the cave over the whirlpools Vražjim, the longest cave in Montenegro, it’s natural values can be measured with the most beautiful caves in Europe and worldwide. The explored length of the cave is around 17.5 kilometers, besides the beauty, the cave has a huge potential which the geologists estimate to 200 kilometers of unexplored underground channels located in the spacious interior of the Pester plateau.
Water
The highest quality of drinking water reserves are located underground. Bistrica, which begins in the Đalovića canyon, draws his power from a number of spring caves with a powerful underground stream, from the caves in the area of Bijelo Polje springs and the rivers, Ćehotina, Vranštica and Lještanica. These streams are also the largest water sector in the Municipality of Bijelo Polje.
Caves and tourism
The caves are very important from the standpoint of tourism development. In many countries caves are arranged for touristic sightseeing bring significant touristic investments. In Bijelo Polje, there are several interesting caves that could be regulated for tourist visits. The cave over the Đalovića’s whirlpool has the greatest potential but for its valuation are required great financial resources. Besides this cave, also should be mentioned the cave Osoje in the village Dobrakovo, and the cave Novaković in the canyon of the river Vranštice. Apart from these caves there are several caves and pits with speleological, scientific, educational and economic importance.
THE INTERESTING THINGS ABOUT THE CAVE OVER THE VRAŽJIM WHIRLPOOLS
• The largest lake: "LONG LAKE" - 220 meters
• The highest stalagmite "MONOLIT" - 18 meters, reaches a height of six floors
• The largest hall: "Big Brother", which measures are almost like a the football pitch. Its length is 100 meters and the width is 40 meters.
• The longest channel: "LONG CHANNEL" - about 5 kilometers
• The longest siphon “ČEŠKI“ - 70 meters
AIR IN THE CAVES
One of the prejudices and unjustified fears related to the caves is that they do not contain enough oxygen and that the air is polluted. In most of the cases, the air in the caves is better than the outside air because it consists less allergens, germs and dust. Clean air with aerosols, specific microclimatic conditions and the natural radioactivity have a positive impact on human health. In some of the caves are developed health treatment programs for respiratory diseases.
DANGEROUS ANIMALS IN THE CAVES
Very rarely at the entrance of the pits can be seen snakes. In the tropical areas bats are rabies transmitters and in Central America there is a very dangerous disease known as histoplasmosis that spreads through spores and it can be found in the bat’s faces.
DANGER OF CAVES CHANNELS DELUTING
This type of dangers exist in the temporary and permanent abysses and some pits especially in summer during heavy rainfalls.
The air temperature in the caves
Usually the temperature is between 8 and 12 ° C, although in the deep pits and freezers can be much colder. Also in some caves the average temperature is much higher. In the cave of Megara near Podgorica the temperature measured is around 17 ° C. Humidity in the caves is usually 100% which causes an increased feeling of cold especially when the physical activity are reduced .
The longest and deepest caves and pits in the world and in Montenegro
The longest cave in the world is the cave Mammoth in the USA and its debt is amazing 627 km.
The deepest cave is Krubera (Voronja) in the Caucasus - 2191 m.
The deepest vertical is in the pit in Vertigo in Slovenia - 603 m
The longest cave in Montenegro is the cave over the Vražjim whirlpools - 17500 m.
The deepest speleological object is the cave on the Vjetrenim mountains in Durmitor - 897 m.
The deepest vertical is in the pit at the Maganik. The depth of the vertical is 430 meters and it is located on the 10th place in the world's deepest vertical.
MSC AKOVO
The mountaineering Speleological Club Akovo it was registered in 2006 and the association has around 30 members. The main activities of the club are researching and promotion of the natural assets in the area of the municipality of Bijelo Polje.
The speleological researches, hiking and canoeing are the main activities of the association. Besides the researches another important aspect of the club is protection of the nature and the activities related to the development of the adventurous tourism.
Text: Željko Madžgalj
Photo: PS „Akovo“, Branislav Strugar i Saša Popović
