Balkan Rivers

In 2011, Western Balkan countries proposed a small number of sites as part of the Europe-wide Emerald Network of protected natural areas. But too many of the region’s stunning rivers have been left unprotected – and a new proposal aims to rectify this.

Today, a group of scientists and non-governmental organisations from 11 countries have published a list of 88 rivers they consider high priority for protection, urging Western Balkan Bern Convention signatory countries to expand the Emerald Network in the region.

Established by the Council of Europe in 1989 under the Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats (Bern Convention), the Emerald Network is made up of areas of special conservation interest to conserve wild flora and fauna in their natural habitats.

As signatories of the Bern Convention, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia started the establishment of the Emerald Network in 2011, when they proposed a small number of sites. However, since then none of the countries have expanded their original list of sites, most sites lack legal protection under national law, management, consistent data collection, and resources, leaving most rivers and fish populations unprotected.

The list of rivers published today results from the Emerald Green seminar organised by CEE Bankwatch Network in December 2022, where participants provided scientific data on fish species and habitats.

As a global biodiversity hotspot, the Western Balkans boasts exceptional freshwater diversity. The region’s extensive mountains, rivers, lakes, and coastlines are home to numerous endangered species and important habitats with numerous endemic species that can be found nowhere else. Compared to the rest of Europe, most of the region’s rivers are in good or pristine condition, and many are ideal candidates for protection, as recognized by the priority list published today.

“Rivers in the Balkans are amongst the most threatened ecosystems, and at the same time they represent a biodiversity hotspot. In this regard, it is worth including them in a legally protected network”, Olsi Nika, Executive Director of EcoAlbania

++ Rambo Amadeus, Eda Zari, Damir Imamovic and Tamara Obrovac sing in Sarajevo to stop the hydropower tsunami on the Balkans ++

Sarajevo, Vienna, Radolfzell, September 30, 2018.  Hundreds of people raised their voices at the open-air Concert for Balkan Rivers at Sarajevo’s BBI centre on Saturday, September 29th. They were singing along with the popular musicians Rambo Amadeus (Montenegro), Eda Zari (Albania), Tamara Obrovac (Croatia), Damir Imamovic (Bosnia-Herzegovina) and thus raising awareness for the massive destruction of rivers which is going on all over the Balkan peninsula. The rivers in Southeast Europe face a severe threat, disguised as a green and sustainable source of energy: about 3,000 hydropower projects are planned or under construction between Slovenia and Greece, threatening to destroy Europe´s most beautiful and intact rivers.

All singers joined their voices in the grand finale of the Concert for Balkan Rivers. © Nick St. Oegger

The musicians, representing different countries in the Balkan region, presented a united front against the dam craze. As singer Tamara Obrovac pointed out:“One of the most important resources and sources of life on earth is water – let us preserve the source of life together before it is too late.”

“Tonight, we are bringing to Sarajevo the voices that represent all Albanian artists and all Albanian people and activists that for years have been protesting and fighting the destruction of rivers like Vjosa and Valbona”, said singer Eda Zari.

Amazing Eda Zari and her band, including world-renowned percussionist Rhani Krija © Nick St. Oegger

During his powerful performance and under the applause of the audience, Rambo Amadeus, one of the most popular musicians in the Balkans, destroyed a symbolic dam on the stage with a drill- a strong message towards investors and the banks financing the gold rush in the Balkans. “I have seen in several places in the Balkans that entire river streams are cut off and the water is redirected into pipes, leaving the river itself and the environment without life”, said Rambo Amadeus.

Hundreds of people attended the Concert for Balkan Rivers in Sarajevo on September 30th. © Nick St. Oegger

Damir Imamovic added: “It will be probably strange for the people born after us that artists were gathering to draw public attention to the importance of natural resources. But they will probably be struggling, as we are struggling, to draw attention to the things that should be a universal human right. We have to!”

The Concert for Balkan rivers was organized with in the campaign “Save the Blue Heart of Europe” and was also the big finish of the first European Rivers Summit in Sarajevo (27. – 29. September), during which more than 200 activists, scientists and river lovers from all around the world shared their inspiring stories about their fights for clean and free-flowing rivers.