The countries of the Western Balkans proposed a limited number of areas for inclusion in the European Emerald Network of protected areas in 2011. However, many rivers in the region remain unprotected. A new proposal aims to address this deficiency.
A group of scientists and civil society organisations from 11 countries has released a list of 88 priority rivers for protection and is calling on the Western Balkan countries that are signatories to the Bern Convention to expand the Emerald Network in the region.
The Emerald Network was established by the Council of Europe in 1989 under the Bern Convention, aiming to protect European wildlife species and natural habitats. It includes areas of special importance for nature conservation to preserve plant and animal species in their natural habitats.
As signatories to the Bern Convention, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia began their involvement in the Emerald Network in 2011 by proposing a limited number of areas for protection. However, to date, none of these countries has expanded this list. Most of these areas have no protection under national legislation, are not managed, and lack systematic data collection and necessary resources. As a result, most rivers and fish species remain unprotected.
The list of rivers published today is the outcome of the Emerald Green seminar organized by the non-governmental organisation CEE Bankwatch Network in December 2022. Participants in the seminar gathered relevant scientific data on individual fish species and their habitats, based on which the list of rivers to be included in the Emerald Network was prepared.
The Western Balkans are globally significant for biodiversity, especially concerning freshwater species and habitats. Mountain ranges, rivers, lakes, and coastlines are home to numerous endangered species and essential habitats for many endemic species that do not exist elsewhere. When compared to the rest of Europe, most rivers in the region are in good or very good condition, and many are ideal candidates for protection, as recognised by the list published today.
“Protecting rivers and implementing the Emerald Network effectively is a long-term process that requires collaboration between governments, scientists, civil society, and local communities. Our proposal, based on comprehensive scientific data on fish species in the region, is an important contribution to this process. The next step is to support the governments in the region in preparing official proposals for new Emerald areas,” said Andrey Ralev, a biodiversity expert from the CEE Bankwatch Network.
Jelena Ivanić from the Center for Environment emphasised that by signing the Bern Convention, our government committed to preserving and maintaining the areas nominated for the Emerald Network.
“We are aware that not much has been done on this issue recently. Adequate nature and environmental protection can be achieved through the implementation of the Bern Convention and the Emerald Network, which we expect will happen in the future through proper cooperation between authorities at all levels, local communities, civil society representatives, and the scientific community with the goal of protecting the previously proposed areas and expanding the list of Emerald areas in Bosnia and Herzegovina.”
You can read the joint statement of scientists and civil society representatives HERE.