The declaration “Municipality without dams” was signed today, after a meeting with representatives of the Coalition for the Protection of Rivers of BiH, by Šuhret Fazlic, the mayor of Bihać, pledging not to issue any concessions, permits or recommendations for construction of dams or hydropower plants in this municipality without consulting the citizens first.
The councilors of Bihać have already adopted the Declaration on the Protection of the Una River, and with this Declaration they are putting other rivers in this municipality under protection.
“Today, on behalf of all citizens of the city of Bihać, I signed the Declaration on the municipality, ie the city without dams. I signed the declaration in cooperation with the Coalition for the Protection of Rivers and I thank the people who so wholeheartedly and decisively defend the rivers of Bosnia and Herzegovina. If there is a city where its citizens live with their river, who are born with their river, who protect and guard it, then it is us, people from Bihać, and I think that slogan “City in love with its river” speaks best about it all. Regardless of who will be in power in the future, which political party and who will be the mayor, I am sure that the construction or any interventions on the river Una will never be allowed in Bihać. For us, Una is really vital here, we are proud of it, it is a part of the life of the people of Bihać and there will be no compromise when it comes that. I also want to emphasize that behind these big stories about small hydroelectric power plants, the interests of investors, corruption and buying the support of politicians are most often hidden, and we will never agree to such games “, said Fazlić.
Viktor Bjelić, vice president of the Center for the Environment and a representative of the Coalition for the Protection of Rivers of BiH, emphasized that every stream and every river is important for the life of flora, fauna and people.
“The people of Bihać have always been dedicated to their only emerald beauty, and its tributaries are equally important. This commitment of the city of Bihać gives us new energy because the support is growing, which only confirms that we are on the right track “
Last week, at the suggestion of the President of the Assembly of the City of East Sarajevo, Miroslav Lučić, the declaration “Municipalities without dams” was adopted by the Assembly of the City of East Sarajevo, which includes the municipalities of East Ilidža, Pale, East Stari Grad and Trnovo, as well as Sokolac and East Novo Sarajevo, which have already signed the Declaration.
Lučić pointed out that the City Assembly unanimously adopted the Declaration, which clearly expressed their position that they do not want the construction of SHPPs in the area of East Sarajevo. They are telling everyone who plans to build SHPPs on the rivers on the territory of their city that they will not have the support of the local self-government.
“Moreover, we are ready, together with the residents of East Sarajevo and representatives of environmental associations, to oppose attempts to build SHPPs.”
The Aarhus Center Association in Sarajevo points out that after visiting the terrain and the site where SHPP “Podivič” was built, they realized that urgent action must be taken to prevent further degradation of Kasindolska River by building SHPP “Samar” and SHPP “Slapi”.
In cooperation with the representatives of the informal group of citizens “Stop SHPP on Kasindolska river” in early September, we reached the President of the Assembly of the City of East Sarajevo, Miroslav Lučić, who supported our initiative and proposed that the Declaration “Municipalities without dams” order of the City Assembly. The President of the Assembly fulfilled his promise and restored hope to the local population who are fighting to protect natural resources “, said Emina Veljović, Executive Director of the Aarhus Center in Sarajevo.
Dragana Skenderija, coordinator of the Coalition for the Protection of Rivers of BiH, points out that the signing of the Declaration was preceded by good communication with the representatives of the cities of Bihać and East Sarajevo.
“We are glad that the authorities in Bihać and East Sarajevo recognized the importance of this Declaration and that with their signature they supported the initiative which is of great importance for the preservation of the natural wealth of the whole of Bosnia and Herzegovina. I hereby invite other municipalities and cities to join the initiative “Municipalities without dams”, so that together we can preserve our rivers. “
The “Municipalities without Dams” declaration is based on the “Declaration on the Protection of the Rivers of the Western Balkans”, which was adopted last year at an international conference in Sarajevo with the financial support of the European Union.