The Beginning of the End of the Sana River

Despite all opposition, the hydropower project Medna on the Sana river in Bosnia and Herzegovina is about to be opened. This marks the beginning of the end of this extraordinary and valuable river. The destruction of the Sana – one of the last remaining rivers with healthy Huchen populations – is carried out by Austrian-German company Kelag. As part of the Coalition for Sana, our Blue Heart partners in Bosnia and Herzegovina – Center for Environment – have been fighting this project from the start. Read the Coalition’s press release!

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The Beginning of the End of the Sana River

Banja Luka, March 6, 2018  On the occasion of the opening of the hydropower plant Medna, the Coalition for Sana announces the beginning of the end of one of the most beautiful and cleanest rivers in our country, a river whose name means health.

"We decided to symbolically mark the beginning of the destruction of the Sana River prior to the announced opening of the hydropower plant Medna. We want to expose the lies and promises regarding the benefits of this plant, as is will bring no good. From the very beginning, we have fought hard against this hydropower plant along with the local community, but the interests of the investors were more important", said Natasa Crnkovic from Center for Environment.

The destruction of the Sana River is the consequence of ecological, economic, legal and moral irresponsibility. Despite the arguments and facts the local community and the Coalition for Sana presented, the responsible authorities granted the construction of this plant.

Goran Krivic, coordinator of the Coalition for Sana adds: " We consider the granting of subsidies to the Austrian-German company Kelag, or more precisely, giving them tax money from citizens of this country, a robbery of our own people. The Economic Study proves that with this plant the country will lose more than 1 million BAM. Certainly, we will lose much more: the nature and health of the people. "

The promise that Medna will secure new jobs will disappear, just as Sana will disappear in the pipes. This promise is merely a deception of investors who are hiding behind the announced economic progress of the country. Destruction of the Sana River will not go unnoticed, as the Coalition for Sana plans to monitor the operation of this hydropower plant and its environmental impact, as well as  standing up for the protection of Sana springs.

The Coalition for Sana includes 23 organizations from eight cities in the river basin, which are for years pointing out the irregularities regarding the planning and construction of the Medna hydropower plant on the Sana River.

Contact:

Goran Krivić, +387 65 690 972, gorankrivic@gmail.com
Nataša Crnković, +387
65 604 438, natasa.crnkovic@czzs.org