Croatian Waters Company (HV) is destroying one of the last natural river banks on the Drava. The bank at Sigetec is home of a colony of the endangered Sand Martin. Those places are protected under the Croatian Nature Conservation Act. HV is acting illegally and is denying to adjust its pratice to European law and standards. It clearly shows again, that HV is unwilling to develop the river according to national and EU law (Water Framework Directive). HV seems to be a major obstacle in the further integration process with regards to environment and ultimately for EU-Accession of Croatia. The works have recently started though two years ago they have been stopped and HV was punished by Croatian court. Read elderly article one and two.

This year Croatian Waters has continued destroying the natural river stretch of the Strara Drava at Varazdin, a future Natura 2000 site in Croatia of about 3000 ha. Massive river regulation and gravel extraction works heavily impact the home of European protected species such as otter, pond turtle, king-fisher and black stork and priority habitats such as floodplain forests. In June 2007 NGOs have called upon the European Commission, both Commissioner Stavros Dimas and Commissioner Olli Rehn as well as the Croatian Minister of Culture, Mr Bozo Biskupic in an attempt to help to stop these illegal destructive works.

This time I want bring your attention to a great supporter of the initiative and for my living Drava. Excellent photos - as those from Mr. Jiri Bohdal left handed/above - are a way not only to show people the beauty of nature but also to emotionalise people for the issue in a positive way. And this is so important for my survival. Thanks Jiri for your support!                                                       See more photos from Jiri Bohdal online 

Very good news from Helena Hecimovic, Dravska Liga: "The assembly of Koprivnica-Krizevci county has finally voted for the exclusion of the HE Novo Virje from the county spatial plan. This important change had to be approved by all local communities in the county as well as the relevant ministries (environment, energy, economy etc.)." It means, that there´s consensus in Croatia to built no more dams on the Drava and to continue the efforts to protect the river.

In June 2007 Hungarian Water Management Authorities have begun massive gravel extraction on the Mura near Letenye, in the border area to Croatia.
These works are a scandal and have to be stopped immediately as they are clearly against EU-law and Hungarian Nature Conservation Law.
This year Hungarian Nature Conservation Authorities have protected the Mura as a Landscape Protected Area. Furthermore it is a Natura 2000 site. These works are destroying the natural values of the area and are threatening endangered species and habitats such as otter, little ringed plover and floodplain forests.
Photo credit: Lorand Klemenčić