Expansion of hydropower under protection of curfew

++ Increasing destruction of nature in times of pandemic ++ Investors exploit the corona crisis for illegal construction of hydropower plants ++ Unique rivers in the Balkans at risk! ++

Construction site on River Mala Bjelava

© Robert Oroz

Construction site on River Vrhovinska

© Robert Oroz

Banja Luka, Sarajevo, Vienna, Radolfzell. The Corona crisis is a threat to the Blue Heart of Europe – the unique Balkan rivers. While Europe is in lockdown, investors are increasingly taking advantage of the unusual situation to build controversial hydropower projects in secret. This is particularly true of rivers in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). South of the capital Sarajevo, the construction of five dams has now begun or is being pushed, in some cases without permits.

Specifically, it is about construction sites on the rivers Bjelava (see videos one, two and three), Mala Bjelava, Vrhovinska, Željeznica and Prača (find their locations on this map). All of these rivers are almost untouched and of exceptional beauty. The construction of the hydropower plant on the Vrhovinska river is – according to our information – illegal, as no permits have been issued for its construction. In addition, the construction work on all projects is being executed without the legally required building supervision, because the necessary "inspectors" are not present at the construction site due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"These environmental crimes are being committed in the shadow of the pandemic. Investors are taking advantage of this unique opportunity to create structural facts without inconvenient inspections or protests from residents and environmental organisations. We are not talking about just any streams and rivers, but about the most unique and so far largely untouched watercourses," says Ulrich Eichelmann, coordinator of the Save the Blue Heart of Europe campaign at Riverwatch.

The Coalition for the Protection of Rivers in Bosnia-Herzegovina and the Save the Blue Heart of Europe campaign therefore call on Prime Ministers and Presidents of Bosnia-Herzegovina to stop the dam construction and urgently impose a moratorium on the construction of small hydropower plants as well as on the granting of new concessions.

"The state of emergency should not be an excuse for the exploitation of public resources, but rather an occasion for solidarity and a sensible use of our resources," says Redžib Skomorac of the NGO Center for Environment, Blue Heart partner in BiH.

"We call for more rigorous prevention and tougher penalties to prevent unjust enrichment, criminal behaviour and usury opportunism, i.e. to ensure that the competent authorities comply with the law, constitutional and moral principles”, so Anes Podić from the NGO Eko Akcija.  

“We see a similar approach in many places in Europe: reports from Romania tell us that the already massive illegal logging continues to increase, from the Balkans that even more protected birds are shot from the sky. The loopholes this pandemic offers to those who want to enrich themselves at the expense of nature are used unscrupulously”, says Gabriel Schwaderer, Executive Director of EuroNatur.

++ Update (29. April 2020) ++
Despite the ban on assembly and Corona-related curfew residents and environmental activists blocked construction works on the river Bjelava and its tributary, the Mala Bjelava. About two dozen people prevented workers from reaching the construction site. Unable to resume their works, they eventually left.
A positive turnaround in this matter is also happening at Prača River: the mayor of the neighbouring village Pale Bosko has now announced that he intends to prevent the construction of the projected powerplant. Protests and the great media attention have had their effect.


Background information:
The campaign “Save the Blue Heart of Europe” aims to protect the most valuable rivers in the Balkans from a dam tsunami of about 3,000 planned projects. The campaign is coordinated by the NGOs Riverwatch and EuroNatur and carried out together with partner organisations in the Balkan countries. The local partner in BiH is the Center for Environment.

Videos of the construction site of HPP Bjelava on the Bjelava river:
first video © Robert Oroz
second video © Robert Oroz
third video © Miloš Vujičić

Contact information:
Anja Arning, EuroNatur, anja.arning(at)euronatur.org  +49 (0)7732 – 927213
Ulrich Eichelmann, Riverwatch, ulrich.eichelmann(at)riverwatch.eu +43 676 6621512
Anes Podić, anes(at)ekoakcija.org +387 (0) 62 293 763
Redžib Skomorac, redzib.skomorac(at)czzs.org  +387 (0) 61 622 085

 

 

 

How you can help

Donation

Future needs nature. EuroNatur cares for it. Please use your possibilities to help. With your donation you will make an effective contribution to a more livable environment.

Sustaining membership

EuroNatur focuses on long-term nature conservation projects instead of quick fixes. With your regular donations, you give us the planning security we need.

News

Skavica mega dam: Albanian court to scrutinise special law for U.S. contractor Bechtel

++ Constitutional complaint filed by NGOs accepted for trial ++ First milestone in fight against one of Europe’s largest reservoirs ++ Thousands of…

Growing opposition to Albanian airport

++ Bern Convention calls on Albania to stop airport construction near Narta Lagoon ++ Project in Vjosa Delta endangers thousands of migratory birds ++…

EU Commission targets the wolf

Ursula von der Leyen warns of allegedly "dangerous wolves" - nature conservation organisations criticise misleading statements and dubious data…

Romanian forests: EuroNatur calls for a logging moratorium

+++ Open letter to Commissioner Sinkevičius calls for a logging moratorium in protected areas to end destruction of Romanian forests +++ Fourth…

Controversial airport construction in Albanian protected area casts shadow as far as Munich

++ Operating company Munich Airport International (MAI) is linked to illegal Vlora airport ++ Construction to take place in protected area of special…

Swimming for the monk seal

The Croatian free water swimmer Dina Levačić has been swimming in potential monk seal territories. Her campaign is aimed at drawing attention to the…

Wolf Offspring confirmed in the Black Forest

++ Photo trap image from the community of Schluchsee provides evidence of offspring ++ First wolf pack in over 150 years in Baden-Württemberg ++

Stork Village meeting in Tykocin, Poland

It was an anniversary celebrated in style: For the 20th annual meeting, representatives of the European Stork Villages met for the first time in the…

A slight sigh of relief for the Dalmatian pelicans

The Dalmatian pelicans at Lake Skadar are breeding successfully. This is all the more gratifying because last year's breeding season was disastrous.

Learning to live with bears

Preventing conflicts between people and wild animals

Urgent Call for Action to Protect Romania's Forests and Natura 2000 Sites

A recent report by EuroNatur and Agent Green provides new evidence on logging in Romania's protected areas. Nature conservation organisations call for…

Airport construction threatens Albanian bird paradise

++ Construction work for airport in Narta Lagoon continues unabated despite significant protests ++ Resting area is internationally important for…

Disappointing results of last trilogue on Renewable Energy Directive

++ Woody biomass and hydropower can continue to count towards renewable energy targets ++ No will for sustainable climate policy in the EU in sight ++

Major success: River Vjosa becomes National Park

++ Today the Vjosa River in Albania has been proclaimed Europe’s first Wild River National Park ++ EuroNatur, Riverwatch and many other partners have…

More Ski Resorts Planned Around Syvdovets

In 2016, the Transcarpathian Regional State Administration announced its plans to build a ski resort of the same name in the Svydovets mountain…