Revitalization of the degraded areas along the local lakes related to the coal-mining activity

The Šaleška lakes, which were created due to the sinkhole activities related to lignite mining, which has been active in the valley since the 18th century, have been polluted and unusable for decades. There were several rural settlements at the location of the nowadays lakes, which were completely submerged and destroyed. The deepest parts of the valley were filled up with water and three lakes were formed. At the time of the creation, the citizens perceived the lakes only as environmental "damage" and a problem. Lake Velenje was polluted due to coal ash, Lake Škale was organically polluted and the main environmental problem at Lake Družmirje was high consumption of lake water for the needs of the Šoštanj Thermal Power Plant. The attitude of the citizens towards the lakes and the immediate surrounding was un-appropriate. The lakes were gradually becoming more and more attractive to the residents. The activities as are jogging, fishing, cycling, swimming, surfing, kayaking etc., began to take place at the nearest vicinity and the coastal area of the Šaleška lakes. The responsible companies have now begun to take care of the revitalization and rehabilitation of these flooded and strongly degraded areas. The tourist development around the lakes is now at its peak. More and more tourists are now coming to spend the time at the Velenje Beach every year. The whole valley has become a great tourist attraction.