Dam craze puts protected areas in the Balkans at risk
A recent study on hydropower projects inside protected areas commissioned by Riverwatch and EuroNatur shows that 535 projects are currently planned within strict nature conservation areas, 113 of which in the midst of national parks.
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Amazon of Europe in grave danger
Last week, the Hungarian government passed a law that effectively abolished the country’s nature reserves. This also threatens to endanger the five-country biosphere reserve along the rivers Mura, Drava and Danube.
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European Parliament criticizes Albania’s hydropower policies
The European Parliament called upon the Albanian government to rethink the projected hydropower projects along the Vjosa River and its tributaries. In their Motion for a Resolution the vast majority of the EU parliamentarians demanded from Albania to abandon all hydropower projects, particularly those in national parks.
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Huge hotel complex versus bird heaven
Together with its partners EuroNatur organised a conference in Podgorica from 8–9 April 2015 to promote the protection of the Ulcinj salt flats. This internationally important wetland is in danger of falling victim to mass tourism. In a joint final declaration, all particpants emphasised the need for the Ulcinj salt flats to be placed under immediate protection.
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First photo of Balkan Lynx in Kosovo!
A joyful moment for EuroNatur partner ERA (Environmentally Responsible Action group): A few days ago, a camera trap set by the lynx specialist team of the Kosovar nature conservation NGO for the first time documented a Balkan Lynx in Bjeshket e Nemuna National Park bordering Montenegro.
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Study confirms: The Heart of the Huchen beats on the Balkans
As a contribution to this year’s UN World Water Day (22.3.), representatives of the fields of science and fisheries in cooperation with environmental NGOs present a study about the distribution of the Huchen on the Balkan Peninsula. The results clearly show that the Balkan rivers constitute the last big hot spot for this species.
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The Vjosa River at a Crossroad – Dam Tsunami or National Park?
Today, the international NGOs Riverwatch and EuroNatur, together with their local partner EcoAlbania, are presenting a paper, which for the first time reveals the full extent of the threat to the Vjosa catchment area. According to this paper, the last big wild river of Europe is at risk of complete destruction.
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The threat to Ulcinj Salina is still very much alive
For many species of ducks and waterbirds the Ulcinj Salina represents one of the most important resting places on their route through the Mediterranean. The precious natural heritage of Ulcinj Salina is in danger of falling prey to the interests of developers of mass tourism.
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Massacre of Europa’s migratory birds
Shot down, plucked and sold on the black market. This is the fate of the hundreds of thousands of migratory birds that fall victim to bird hunting in Serbia and Romania each year. In “The Massacre of Europe’s Songbirds”, an article for the American news magazine Newsweek, Luke Dale-Harris exposes the Mafioso background to this bird massacre.
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Support for the Sava River
On the occasion of the World Wetlands Day past Monday, the Sava River received cross-border backing. Representatives of protected area administrations and other public institutions from all the riparian countries signed a common declaration of intent to step up efforts to protect the ecological values of the Sava, its floodplain forests and its tributaries across the borders.
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