These couple days, representatives from CED Florozon are present at the international conference held in Sarajevo. The conference is organized by Arnika – Centre for Citizens’ Support (Czech Republic), Center for Environment (Bosnia and Herzegovina) and WWF Adria (Bosnia and Herzegovina). The main subject of the conference is protection of the rivers in the Western Balkans.

The Western Balkan countries are unique, with an enormous number of pristine rivers providing habitats for rare and endemic plants and animals. These jewels of nature are threatened by an uncontrolled boom of hydropower plants – over 300 dams are planned on 244 rivers in Bosnia and Herzegovina alone and about 2,700 dams are planned in the whole region. The construction causes irreversible damage to the natural environment and violates the rights of local communities, for example by causing a significant reduction of the drinking water resources. The conference aims to discuss legal and practical tools for the protection of the rivers, brings in international experience and seeks synergies in the protection of the rivers of the Western Balkans and the people dependent on them.

More information in regards to the conference can be found on this link.