A few days ago, an informal gathering was held,which brought together numerous politicians, diplomats, ambassadors, representatives of relevant institutions, representatives of courts and public figures of Bosnia and Herzegovina, according to the “Nezavisne novine” [1]. The gathering was held next to the untouched nature on the river Ugar which the Centre for Environment considered a falsehood and mockery of the people.
The river Ugar is not untouched nature, it is a destroyed river. The Ministry of Spatial Planning, Civil Engineering and Ecology Srebrenka Golic issued permission to build more hydropower plants on this river and its feeder Ilomska.
“Those present were obviously not informed or did not want to know that the river Ugar was destroyed by the construction of hydro power plants “Zapeće” and “Novakovići." The plan is to build many more plants which has the potential to completely destroy the river. Those two plants, which were built in recent years by the company Kelag from Austria and Germany, have led to the ruination of the river, killed its flora and fauna, decreased the level and quality of water in the riverbed, and angered the local population," said Goran Krivic from the Center for Environment.
Those present, who gathered for an informal meeting, could and should stop the destruction of the river Ugar. But, they should also attempt to stop the destruction of all rivers in Bosnia and Herzegovina which are threatened by the construction of hydropower plants. From these hydropower plants, only benefits come to the private investors. These investors are destroying rivers and prevent local people from using them.
“Next time, we would like to invite these guests, who are obviously not informed, to visit the facilities and construction sites of hydropower plants and to testify the damage that is being done. After that, you can not stay indifferent and continue socializing in the 'untouched nature.' For the Ugar and all the other rivers in BiH, many of their compatriots are fighting for years to keep the rivers actually pristine,” said Goran.
Informal socializing in nature which brings together public and influential persons should promote the natural beauty, their sustainable use, and tourism.
