Significant move made to establish lawful safeguards for the Mrežnica and Tounjčica Rivers in Croatia.

Croatia Protects Mrežnica and Tounjčica Rivers

In a significant move for river conservation, Croatia has officially confirmed the protection of the Mrežnica and Tounjčica rivers. This decision, which includes the establishment of a monument to nature in the upper course of the Mrežnica River and a significant landscape in its middle course, is being hailed as a major victory for environmentalists.

The United for Rivers initiative, a cross-regional coalition of NGOs, supported this decision. Two new protected areas have been established as a result, providing a sanctuary for diverse plant and animal species and protecting the dozens of tufa waterfalls the rivers are known for.

The implementation of conservation measures will help preserve the Mrežnica River for generations, according to Martina Furdek Hajdin, Karlovac County Prefect. This decision builds on recent precedents to protect the Krupa, Mura, and Drava rivers.

Local communities are seen as the backbone of river conservation and the sustainable use of river resources, and TNC recognizes their crucial role. TNC is committed to providing ongoing support for the continuing conservation of these rivers.

The protection of the Mrežnica River is the first official protection resulting from the United for Rivers campaign. Irma Popović Dujmović, TNC Freshwater Program Director for Croatia, views the protection of Mrežnica and Tounjčica rivers as flagships and exemplary models for durable river protection.

Prominent figures who supported the initiative include Jagoda Munić, Director of Sunce – Association for Nature, Environment and Sustainable Development, and Asim Ugljen, a Croatian actor and avid kayaker, who can be seen in Mrežnica River videos. Irma Popović Dujmović hopes this milestone will inspire other countries in the region to strengthen their river conservation efforts.

For further information, visit the United for Rivers initiative website or the TNC's website. A landing page is available on TNC's website for more details. Local communities and activists, as well as several NGOs, were instrumental in the success of the initiative. Sunce – Association for Nature, Environment and Sustainable Development, WWF Adria, Zelena akcija (Green Action), and many others played key roles in the campaign.