Protection of the Silicka ladnica Ice Cave

The reasons for protection of the cave

Two significant caves with the stable ice formations (Dobsinska Ice Cave and the Demanovska Ice Cave) are situated in the Slovak Republic besides the Silicka ladnica Ice Cave but the Silicka ladnica Ice Cave is the most low placed ice cave (503 m above the sea level). From the speleoclimatic point of view the Silicka ladnica Ice Cave is a unique phenomena and it is probably representing the most lowly placed ice cave of the world to this geographic latitude.

The impairs of the original status

The Silicka ladnica Ice Cave is finding just outside the frequent tourists routes and is visited only by peoples known the circumstances. Unfortunately, undisciplined persons are frequent abroad them. They are damaging a temporary trapdoor from an ice chasm to a warm part of the cave for a looting of the archaeological finds. Accessible works in entrance (an outlook terrace and an access path construction) opened the ice chamber to a sunshine and to an easier air circulation. These are main reasons as well as a precipitation deficiency for a significant decrease of the floor ice and ice stalactites in last time.

The protection steps

The Silicka ladnica Ice Cave is Nature Protected Phenomena, what was proclaimed by the Amendment of the Ministry of Culture of SSR No. 6176/1982 - 32 from the September 30, 1982. From 1995 the Act on Environment Protection took effect that all caves are the National Monuments. Protection of the cave is ensuring by state organizations The Management of the Slovak karst Protected Landscape Area and The District Administration for the Environment of the Roznava district. Unfortunately, the state budget for environment as well as purses of the cavers hasn't enough for the effective protection of this phenomena. A protection of the Silicka ladnica Ice Cave and all cave system are providing also through the Protected Landscape Protected Area, what is the international network of the biosphere reservation part.

SLOVAKIA CAVE SERVER prepared by Eduard Kladiva (Old Cave Dog) from Speleoclub CASSOVIA . Please send all comments, notes and corrections on e-mail kladiva@saske.sk.