Protection of Zrmanja and Krupa is being a subject of discussions among experts and numerous visitors of this river, for a long time.
Although part of the flow of Zrmanja, from Obrovac to the Novigrad sea is proclaimed a protected area, it looks like its only that on paper, because this part of the river is the most endangered part, and nothing is being done to end the devastation.
Zrmanja and Krupa are protected for a while now as part of the Natural Park "Velebit", but there is no protection on the field, and there are no signs along the roads which inform about entering a Natural Park, what would be logical, if we know Zrmanja and Krupa are on the edges of the Natural Park "Velebit".
With the development program of the Republic of Croatia ("NN" No. 50/99) and the Strategy and action plan for protecting biological and landscape diversity of the Republic of Croatia ("NN" No. 81/99) proclamation of new natural parks is being planned among which the area of Zrmanja and Krupa is. The suggestion is to proclaim the area of Zrmanja and Krupa, along with 500 m of their coastal area on both sides of the river, a natural park, but this proposition was revoked from the parlament procedure with an explanation that its not argumented and worked out.
The newest projects still give hope. With the project "Protection of karst ecosystems" which should go on with the help of the Global fund for environment and the World Bank, additional research on Zrmanja and Krupa area is planned, and it could result with their protection.