Hydropower projects in Bosnia and Herzegovina Coalition for protection of rivers Bosnia and Herzegovina
(2017) More than 300 HPP planned and built in 244 rivers (2018) Declared of public interest Receiving public subsidies (RES fee in electricity bill)
Opposition to the projects The economic benefits of these projects are questionable They threaten the national natural and cultural heritage: Endangering more than one hundred fish species out of which twelve are endemic Endangering traditional fishing practices (a way of living) Limiting access to water, impoverishing water quality Tourism potential ignored We really do not need hydro energy: We need the water for supply-sanitation & sustainable farming
Work against hydro projects in Bosnia and Herzegovina • Working against hydro since 2004 • Public actions, petitions, scientific research, networking • Legal work became crucial in campaigning • Difficult political and social situation
2004 - Coalition for Vrbas 2009 - Coalition for Sana 2016 - Coalition for protection of rivers Bosnia and Herzegovina sHPP Medna, Sana River
HPP Zapeće, Ugar River by KELAG
HPP Zapeće, Ugar River by KELAG
2016 - Coalition for protection of rivers Bosnia and Herzegovina Individuals and organizations from whole Bosnia & Herzegovina (more than 20 members) Promoting environmental and sustainable management of rivers Analyzing and monitoring plans for construction of hydropower projects in B-H’s rivers Opposing to them, promoting real sustainable energy sources (solar, wind) and energy efficiency. Promoting the development of sustainable tourism, traditional and complementary activities (bigger benefit for local communities) Legal procedures, advocacy; campaigning and direct action; research and scientific argumentation
Declaration for the suspension hydropower plants construction plans and environmentally friendly use of rivers of Bosnia & Herzegovina (2016) - Coalition position, Basis for membership Hydro-energy projects: - Environment long-term alteration + river ecosystem destruction - Limitation on local communities access to clean water - Unequal use and profit of water as common natural resource Sustainable use of water resources: - Water supply, turism, sport activities & traditional practices
Campaigns 1. Central-Bosnia canton - Kruščica – HPP Kruščica 1 & HPP Kruščica 2 - Legal support - Public and media campaign 2. Vrbas river - No more HPP in Vrbas (HPP Krupa i HPP Grbići) - Vrbas canyon = Protected area + Legal support & counseling local initiatives > Know-how (previous experiences)
Kruščica – HPP Kruščica 1 & HPP Kruščica 2 - Summer of 2017. Teacher Haris Murem find about plans for the construction of SHPPs in Kruščica and inform people on his FB page - people start petition against construction of SHPP on Kruščica - machnine first arrive to the Kruščica River and try to work. The locals return them from building site - 24.8.2017. Machinery come back to Kruščica in the early morning hours with special police with an order to unblock the bridge. The special police attack, arrest and report the woman who defended the bridge. But they dindn’t start to build. - In January 2018 the Bistro organization is established and the court procedure starts
Court stop any construction until the case is resolved - 8/17/2018. machinery again try to reach the river - Kruscica, the locals again succeed in defending the river - 11/13/2018 and 11/23/2018 waiting court hearing
First reserach of this kind on this area 9 young researchers participated research was conducted in 7 groups
Our focus areas were : mushrooms, herbaceous plants, ligneous plants (wooddy plants), macrozoobenthos , insects , reptiles and amphibians and bats. Ower 170 spieces were located and identified during this preliminary field reserch 5 new spices of mushrooms
In order to preserve the amazing beautiful rivers we have we need to acknowledged their importance for the whole eco system and develop in depth knowledge of biodiversity that surrounds them.
Camagin Vrbas river - Government plans to give concession for two HPP on river Vrbas - Balkan river Tour 3 initiation on starting a campaign - Last month it was presented 20 reasons way not to build HPP on river Vrbas - Also, 20 reasons are sent to the main institution that is deciding about this question
Coalition plans & objectives (Long term) Direct support to some organizations-coalition members: Capacity building (e.g. Kruščica) Concession agreements reformulation to public- legal status (now private-legal status) + Request for moratorium on hydro projects Wide campaign on country level Declaring cities as „HPP free“
Thank you!
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