News | riverwatch.eu

IUCN Report Recommends: Stop Water Abstraction at Shushica River in Albania and Use Alternatives

Jan 29, 2025 /

The International Union for Conservation of Nature released an assessment report about the controversial water abstraction project from the Shushica River. The report concluded that the proposed project would severely impact the national park’s biodiversity and fail to comply with IUCN national park standards.

Balkanrivers

Shushica River, Brataj © Nick St. Oegger

Albanian court halts hydropower projects on Shushica River – Victory for the Vjosa Wild River National Park and civil society

Dec 16, 2024 /

On 11 December 2024, a court in Tirana finally ended the threat of hydropower plants on the Shushica - one of the main tributaries of the Vjosa and part of the Vjosa Wild River National Park.

Balkanrivers

Kosovo violates international law

Nov 19, 2024 /

In November 2024, EcoZ, together with the NGOs Pishtarët, GAIA Kosovo, and Riverwatch, submitted a complaint to the Energy Community Secretariat in Vienna/Austria against Kosovo with regard to the hydropower plants in Sharr National Park.

Balkanrivers

Huchen while spawning. They migrate also into tributaries to spawn in clean gravel beds © Erhard Kraus

New study identifies crucial spawning sites for the endangered Huchen in Bosnia’s Upper Drina Basin

Nov 12, 2024 /

A recent study conducted by researchers from Austria’s Boku University provides crucial insights into the status and conservation needs of Danube salmon, or huchen, populations within Bosnia’s Upper Drina Basin.

Balkanrivers

The Rzav will remain free! © Majda Slamova

Victory for Nature: The Rzav River (BiH) Flows Free!

Oct 10, 2024 /

Thanks to the determination of local citizens the Government of the Republic of Srpska officially terminated concession contracts for two hydropower plants on the Black and White Rzav Rivers. This follows years of protests that successfully stopped the construction of seven small hydropower plants, ensuring the river’s protection.

Balkanrivers

100 People Unite to Protect Balkans' Wild Rivers and their defenders

Oct 03, 2024 /

Under the banner “Uniting Voices for the Blue Heart of Europe” this year’s Balkan River Summit brought together over 100 international river conservation experts, scientists and activists in Podgorica, Montenegro. The event aimed at uniting river defenders to protect the valuable Balkan rivers and to speak out against the imminent and systematic threat the rivers are facing.

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Destruction at the river Sutjeska © Vladimir Topić

Urgent Action Needed to Protect the Sutjeska and Jabušnica Rivers

Oct 01, 2024 /

New threats to the Sutjeska and Jabušnica rivers are emerging, as construction of a new hydropower plant threatens the ecosystem of Sutjeska National Park. Concerns over outdated permits and environmental impacts have sparked protests urging authorities to halt these destructive activities. Join the fight!

Balkanrivers

Local communities and activists wave goodbye to the construction vehicles leaving the Una River for good. © Sanja Sevo

Una River saved from illegal dam construction

Aug 29, 2024 /

Local communities and environmental NGOs are today celebrating the news that Croatian state authorities have ordered all construction on the Una River to be stopped immediately.

Balkanrivers

Karstic source of the Una River in Croatia that flows into Bosnia and Herzegovina. © Ray Demski

Criminal complaint filed against Una River dam construction permits

Aug 09, 2024 /

In a significant step forward for nature protection, the Croatian authorities announced yesterday that they are taking legal action against the construction of a dam on the Una River within a protected area of environmental importance.

Balkanrivers

On July 28, 2024, residents were joined by people from across the region at the second major protest on the construction site. © Joshua D. Lim

Join us to save Una "The One" from illegal damming

Jul 31, 2024 /

River protectors from across Europe are linking arms with the community of the Una Spring in Croatia this Friday to protest the construction of an illegal dam at the source of this unique river, “The One”. Join the protest!

Balkanrivers

Rivers unite, dams divide

IUCN Report Recommends: Stop Water Abstraction at Shushica River in Albania and Use Alternatives

Albanian court halts hydropower projects on Shushica River – Victory for the Vjosa Wild River National Park and civil society

Kosovo violates international law

New study identifies crucial spawning sites for the endangered Huchen in Bosnia’s Upper Drina Basin

Victory for Nature: The Rzav River (BiH) Flows Free!

100 People Unite to Protect Balkans' Wild Rivers and their defenders

Urgent Action Needed to Protect the Sutjeska and Jabušnica Rivers

Una River saved from illegal dam construction

Criminal complaint filed against Una River dam construction permits

Join us to save Una "The One" from illegal damming

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