A joint 'Declaration on the Protection of the Western Balkans Rivers' has been adopted by participants of an International River Conference and several other environmental groups from the Western Balkan and other European countries. The signatories demand a moratorium on the construction of hydropower plants until governments can ensure protection for both the environment and local communities and compliance with national law, EU legislation, and international conventions.
The conference was organized in Sarajevo on 27th - 29th November by Arnika (Czech Republic), the Center for Environment (Bosnia and Herzegovina), and WWF Adria thanks to financial support from the European Union, the Transition Promotion Programme of the Czech Republic, Global Greengrants Fund, and the Heinrich-BöllStiftung.
Organizers at the conference will deliver the Declaration to the Western Balkan governments, public authorities, relevant national, and international institutions with a request to conduct a revision of all strategic documents that affect the sustainable management of Western Balkans rivers and they hope for an open and sincere discussion.
“The Declaration reflects the views of the participants of the conference as well as many organizations, communities, and individuals who request to suspend the construction of small hydropower plants and to eliminate subsidies for these projects because the benefits are on the side of the individuals while the damage suffered by local communities and nature,” commented Viktor Bjelić. He continued, “It is a clear sign that more and more people are concerned by extensive and non-transparent construction of hydropower plants in the Western Balkans and demand to save the pristine rivers and support their traditional and sustainable use instead.”
→ Find the Declaration on the Protection of the Rivers of the Western Balkans here.
The Western Balkans suffers from a highly disputable boom of small hydropower plants. Over 300 unnecessary dams are planned to block 244 rivers in Bosnia and Herzegovina alone and up to 2,700 in the West Balkan region. According to civil societies’ findings, the majority of the said project has not been properly announced and democratically discussed with the public and fail to comply with environmental standards.
PHOTO GALLERY: See the pictures from the 'Sarajevo River Talks'
To arrange interviews and for additional information, please contact Miloš Orlić (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., 051/433-141) or Martin Holzknecht (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., (+420)602 850 912).
