News - Press Release

Hydropower plant in Mavrovo National Park twice as expensive as projected

Skopje, October 21, 2014 The controversial hydropower project Boskov Most inside the Mavrovo National Park in Macedonia is estimated to be twice as expensive as originally projected. This will be one of the topics discussed at today’s meeting of NGOs with members of the Board of Directors of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). The NGOs demand the bank’s withdrawal from hydro projects in the national park.

Sava floods: Floodplains save life and property

 19.09.2014

New infrastructure plans will increase flood risk. Zagreb, 19th Sept 2014. 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. Four facts need to be highlighted in connection with the Sava flood:

Growing protest: nearly 100,000 against dams in Mavrovo National Park/Macedonia

Vienna, September 9, 2014. One of Europe‘s oldest national parks shall remain free of new dams. 97,804 people signed a letter of protest against two projected hydropower plants inside the Mavrovo National Park in Macedonia. Today, the petition was handed over to the Macedonian Prime Minister Nicola Gruevski.

Wolf, Egyptian Vulture, Black Pennant, and Black Widow recorded at the Vjosa River in Albania

Vienna, Radolfzell, August 21, 2014. In the context of the Days of Biodiversity – an initiative of the German GEO magazine – a remarkable field research event took place at the Vjosa river in Albania in mid-June. Results will be published in the latest issue of the GEO magazine, which will be available on August 22.

Hands off Mavrovo National Park: 77,930 signatures handed over to World Bank

Vienna, Radolfzell, June 26, 2014. The World Bank Country Unit for Southeast Europe based in Vienna had unusual visitors this morning. Representatives of the environmental NGO Riverwatch handed over a letter of protest - signed by 77,930 people - against the proposed funding of a hydroelectric dam in the Mavrovo National Park in Macedonia. 

Biodiversity Days: Europe‘s last big wild river to be explored

Vienna, 10.6.2014. In cooperation with the German GEO magazine, a remarkable event will take place along the Vjosa River in Albania from June 13-15. For three days, 50 to 60 experts will range the Vjosa’s riparian zone and study its animal and plant species.

Albania: National Park for Vjosa River instead of Dams

Tepelena, Radolfzell, May 8, 2014. An unusual press conference is taking place in Albania today. On the gravel islands of the Vjosa River – the last big wild river in Europe – representatives of international and national environmental groups come together with the local mayor and business people in order to propose an idea to save the Vjosa

Dam Tsunami to Threaten Balkan Rivers

Vienna, Radolfzell, March 20, 2014. As a contribution to this year’s UN World Water Day (22.3.) on the topic of “Water and Energy”, EuroNatur and Riverwatch draw attention to the impending destruction of rivers on the Balkan Peninsula. Disguised as green sources of energy, more than 570 hydropower plants (> 1 MW) are planned to be built between Slovenia and Albania.

Macedonia’s Mavrovo National Park threatened by hydropower projects

Vienna, Radolfzell, 13/1/2014 One of Europe’s oldest national parks is in danger: two large hydropower plants are to be built in Macedonia’s Mavrovo National Park with the help of international funding. More than a hundred scientists protest against the funding by the World Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.  

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