Bern Convention demands Bosnia-Herzegovina to stop all dam projects on Neretva River

On 2nd December, the Standing Committee of the Bern Convention (Convention on the Conservation of European Wild Flora and Fauna and Natural Habitats), decided to open a case-file against Bosnia-Herzegovina demanding to stop all hydropower plants in the Neretva River system and to establish protected areas, instead.

Free flowing river in the Balkans

The unique upper reaches of the Neretva River in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Here, 7 hydroelectric power plants are planned, which would not only destroy the river, but also the ancient beech forests.

© Vladimir Tadic
Construction site Hydro power plant

The Ulog dam, currently under construction, will impact the entire Upper Neretva landscape and its biodiversity.

© Vladimir Tadic

Several large and small hydropower projects along the upper reaches of the Neretva are threatening to destroy one of Europe’s most precious and valuable river systems. Several fish species such as Adriatic trout, Soft-mouth trout, and Marble trout are at risk if these projects become reality.

In this year’s annual meeting in Strasbourg, France from November 28th to December 2nd, the Standing Committee discussed the complaint submitted by several national and international NGOs in 2020. Following the complaint, the Bern Convention carried out a so-called On the Spot Appraisal (OSA) by the independent expert Dr Gregory Egger (Austria) in October this year. In their meeting today, the members of the Standing Committee agreed to demand from Bosnia-Herzegovina to halt all hydropower projects and declare large parts as protected areas, instead.

In detail (excerpt): The Standing Committee recommends (p.49-50) to the Government of BiH to:
1. Halt the construction of the hydropower plant Ulog
2. Prohibit implementation of the hydro-electric system Gornja Neretva (…) and cancel the granted concessions, due to the profound negative impact….Remove the concerned projects from the Spatial plan.
3. Officially declare “Gornji tok Neretve” (Upper Neretva) as an adopted Emerald Network site;
4. Prohibit implementation of the currently dormant hydropower plant projects Glavatičevo and Bjelimići. Remove the concerned projects from the Spatial plan.
5. Concerning planned hydropower plants along the Upper Neretva tributaries, halt all planning and permitting of the projects until the area is officially declared as an adopted Emerald Network site.
6. Implement a ban on development of further hydropower plants in the candidate Emerald Network site… and all other candidate Emerald sites in the Neretva River basin…

“The opening of the case is a truly important precedent and a big step for our country in relation to the more efficient implementation of the Bern Convention”, points out Emina Veljović, executive director of the Aarhus Center in Bosnia and Herzegovina, one of the complainants.

“The Neretva is one of the most valuable river systems we have left in Europe. The number of rare and threatened species is not even fully known. However, more than 70 hydropower projects are threatening the Neretva and its tributaries, making this river system also the continent’s most threatened river. The decision of the Bern Convention is a big support for our aim to save this river”, says Ulrich Eichelmann from Riverwatch.

“We expect the competent decision-makers in Bosnia and Herzegovina to be guided by the recommendations adopted by the Council of Europe and to implement them without delay”, concludes Redžib Skomorac, legal adviser at the Center for Environment in BiH.

How you can help

Donation

Future needs nature. EuroNatur cares for it. Please help anyway you can. With your donation you will make an effective contribution to protect rivers in Europe.

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 ++…

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…

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…

Vjosa Wild River National Park: Feasibility Study is a major milestone

The Vjosa River in Albania, one of the last wild rivers of Europe, is one major step closer to protection today as the team of Albanian and…

Legal action against the Vlora Airport in Albania

New developments on the planned airport construction in the Narta lagoon: The lawsuit filed by our partners against the project was ruled as…

Bern Convention demands Bosnia-Herzegovina to stop all dam projects on Neretva River

On 2nd December, the Standing Committee of the Bern Convention (Convention on the Conservation of European Wild Flora and Fauna and Natural Habitats),…

Environmental groups suing the Albanian authorities for the illegal construction of the Vlora Airport

Environmental groups challenge the contract for the construction of Vlora International Airport as null due to the irregularities and the violation of…