News

Vjosa in Albania: The municipalities of Përmet and Çarshovë want a National Park instead of dams

On Wednesday and Thursday the first public discussions about the future of the Vjosa Valley took place in the cities of Çarshovë (16.12.) and Përmet (17.12.) in southern Albania. While official plans of the government envisage the construction of eight dams along the river, the mayors and people of the affected communities support the alternative idea of establishing a national park.

Dam projects: Case against Macedonia

Due to the projected construction of hydropower plants in the Mavrovo National Park, proceedings under the Bern Convention are being initiated against Macedonia. Plans for the hydro projects shall rest until the situation is resolved.

NGO Protest: Sava River at Risk

In an open letter, fifteen environmental non-governmental organisations protest against the intention of the International Sava River Basin Commission to adopt a management plan for the Sava River basin.

Albania still a death trap for migrating birds?

Since March 2014 there has been an absolute ban on bird hunting in Albania. Officially. But in fact masses of migrating birds are still being shot by poachers. In his article “ Killing field for Migrating Birds“ in the online magazine „Yale Environment 360“ Phil Mc Kenna reports on the the situation he saw in Albania.

Mystery Adriatic Flyway

Only a few years ago, even among experts the Western Balkans was a blank area on the map of bird migrations. But today we know that millions of birds use this route twice a year to migrate between their breeding and their wintering grounds. The film “Adriatic Flyway” is vividly and impressively depicting, what threats the migratory birds are facing on their journey, why it is so important to preserve the valuable wetlands along the Eastern Adriatic as resting grounds for cranes, ferruginous ducks and others, and why there’s every reason for hope.

See the film on vimeo

Exceptional dedication for European symbol of peace

Today the Czech environmental and nature protection organisation Hnutí Duha (Friends of the Earth Czech Republic) received the EuroNatur Award 2014. Hnutí Duha has been for two decades working for the protection of National Park Šumava in an exemplary manner. Šumava is an important part of the European Green Belt.

Crime Scene Adriatic Coast

The protection of the migrating birds was the central focus of the Second Adriatic Flyway Conference which took place from 1st to 3rd October in Albania. More than 70 experts from 20 countries congregated for the conference in Durres.

No more bears in Albanian bars!

“Brown bears belong in nature, not in cages,” says Gabriel Schwaderer, head of the EuroNatur foundation. This is also the message of the recent video documentary “bears belong to nature” produced by EuroNatur’s partners the PPNEA, which puts the spotlight on the subject of Bears in Captivity in Albania for the first time.

From Iron Curtain to Lifeline for Nature

The transformation of the Iron Curtain into a lifeline for Nature is the great vision that inspires the “European Green Belt” nature initiative. The contributions of Hnutí Duha, the Czech environmental and nature conservation initiative, are crucial to the realisation of this idea. This october the organisation will be given the EuroNatur Award.

Sava floods: Floodplains save life and property

While the worst part of the recent floods in the Sava basin seem to be over, it is crucial to analyse their drivers and consider the lessons to be learned. Together with its partners EuroNatur presents a flood mitigation concept working with nature rather than against it.