The Center for Environment, in cooperation with The Nature Conservancy (TNC), has initiated a process to designate two protected areas on the Vrbas River to the Ministry of Spatial Planning, Construction, and Ecology of Republika Srpska with the goal of protecting the habitats and species inhabiting this highly valuable natural area.
According to Amendments and Additions to the Spatial Plan of Republika Srpska by 2025, the plan for the protection of natural assets includes the Vrbas River gorge and canyon, which were proposed for protection in 1955 due to their prominent natural characteristics by the Decision of the Institute for the Protection of Cultural Monuments and Natural Rarities from Sarajevo (the Institute for the Protection of Cultural Monuments of Bosnia and Herzegovina).
“The Vrbas River canyon is designated in the Republika Srpska Spatial Plan as a recreational, cultural, scientific, educational, and landscape protected natural area, and it is a natural habitat with a very high rate of biological diversity. It represents a unique isolated habitat with a large number of endemics, rare, and endangered species. When you add the fact that the Vrbas River has great potential for tourism development and sports competitions, it is clear that this area must be placed under official protection,” emphasised Jelena Ivanić from the Center for Environment.
The need to protect the Vrbas River was recognised by the Banja Luka City Assembly in 2005 when it adopted a conclusion to protect the Vrbas Canyon as a special natural asset. In the Spatial Plan of the City of Banja Luka, it is mentioned that this area has exceptional natural values and numerous cultural monuments in the area adjacent to the canyon. Additionally, the Vrbas River is the main source of water for the Banja Luka area and holds great significance for the development of tourism and recreational activities for the population.
This area of the Vrbas River is threatened by plans for the construction of three hydroelectric power plants (HE Krupa, HE Grbići, and HE Novoselija). The Coalition for Vrbas, comprised of 36 associations from Banja Luka, has been warning about the problems that would arise if these hydroelectric power plants were built for years. They promote the beauty of the Vrbas, life on the Vrbas, and its potential for sustainable sports and tourism activities, which are excellent alternatives to hydroelectric power plants and can have a greater impact on the city of Banja Luka and its surroundings.
“As a symbol of Banja Luka, the Vrbas River holds a special place in the lives of its residents. People have created memories, swum, fallen in love, and many songs have been sung about it. By protecting the Vrbas, in addition to its exceptional natural values, we want to preserve new memories, so that new generations can enjoy everything that the Vrbas offers. Moreover, the river provides opportunities for the development of the Banja Luka region in line with the principles of nature conservation, which can retain people in this area,” said Igor Vejnović from The Nature Conservancy.
Officially designating the Vrbas as protected will aid in the preservation of the natural and cultural heritage of this area, create new opportunities for sustainable tourism and similar activities, and protect the river from further fragmentation due to infrastructure projects, such as hydroelectric development.
The initiative to protect the Vrbas is part of a multi-year campaign to protect rivers in Southeastern Europe. The campaign was initiated by TNC, one of the world’s leading nature conservation organisations, in cooperation with local partners in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Croatia, North Macedonia, and Serbia. Through collaborative efforts, the partners aim to highlight and protect the unique river riches of the region that transcend the borders of individual countries. Their protection creates new development opportunities and ensures long-term well-being for people and nature.