At a press conference held today at Banja Luka, representatives of Friends of the Earth Europe – the largest grassroots environmental network in Europe, Centar za životnu sredinu/ Friends of the Earth Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Zelena akcija/Friends of the Earth Croatia called on the regional government to meaningfully protect Sutjeska National park, a unique pearl of the European landscape that is threatened by planned hydropower plants.
Nataša Crnkovi?, Centar za životnu sredinu/ Friends of the Earth Bosnia and Herzegovina, said “Hydro power plants in Sutjeska National park have stopped at the moment. We are nevertheless continuing to make sure that the concession is cancelled permanently. Yesterday we delivered a citizens’ initiative to National Assembly. With this press conference we want to strengthen our battle and show that we have great support from our European partners. We believe that the unification of our knowledge, experience and willingness to preserve nature will succeed in influencing public policies, individuals and the direction in which countries like Bosnia and Herzegovina are heading; countries rich in nature but which are basing their development on environmental destruction.”
Bertrand Sansonnens, Pro Natura / Friends of the Earth Switzerland, said “Sutjeska is an area of outstanding beauty, home to species and habitats of European and global importance, and we are eager to spend time there in the coming days to even better understand its value. Pro Natura supports the Center to bring clear scientific evidence of the Park’s importance, and joins them in their fight for nature. A long-term, sustainable development cannot be at the cost of the natural heritage that belongs to all.”
Jagoda Muni?, Zelena akcija/ Friends of the Earth Croatia, said “The Balkan rivers as unique and irreplaceable ecosystems, under huge pressure from hydro plans in the region. We have seen in cases from Croatia how these projects are often linked to corruption and unfair resource distribution, and the impact this has on local communities. For all of us in the Balkans, rivers are a common good that unite us, and which we should protect together.”
Adrian Bebb, Friends of the Earth Europe, said “Citizens in the EU strongly support actions to protect their nature. We have laws that aim to protect special and important areas for people to experience and enjoy. It is vital that this right to a thriving nature is also allowed on Bosnia and Herzegovina..”
