Life Along the Sava March 2008 No

Home , Ada Ciganlija, Avala, Great War Island, Kupinovo, Lim (Croatia), Lonjsko Polje

Life along the Sava March 2008 No. 1

In this issue: Financially supported by Core topic: Ecological Networks In focus: Lonjsko Polje Nature Park Interview with… Slobodan Puzović News & Events: ISRBC, SSHP, BED, Zasavica…

Obreško okno in wintertime - Vladimir Dobretić INSTITUTE FOR NATURE CONSERVATION OF SERBIA CONTENT EDITORIAL

Obedska bara in winter - Vladimir Dobretić Dear readers, The first issue of a new magazine always series of other articles directly and indirectly and the tradition of living in Posavina, in brings with it dual excitement. Firstly, it brings related to the conservation of the values of addition to the complex issues of resource the satisfaction of providing new reading Life along the Sava. management. Together, these create the material to the public (in this case, a special- This bulletin was made possible within guidelines for balanced development of ized and thematic edition intended for a the framework of the project entitled the area. Indeed, all this cannot be achieved certain geographical region). The second Protection of Biodiversity of the Sava River without reviewing the issues of conserving reason is the simple anticipation of whether Basin Floodplains, and supported by the biodiversity of the Sava in the broadest the new issue will be positively welcomed LIFE III financial instruments and the Swiss possible context, all the while considering by the public, whether it will succeed in sat- Agency for Development and Cooperation the significance of its water management, isfying the diverse needs of its readers, and (SDC). The overall objective of the project the existing system of regulating high whether it will be successful in achieving is to protect and preserve the unique areas water levels and flood protection. Only an its mission. In your hands you hold the first and the diversity of flora and fauna along integral approach to the current state and edition of the bulletin Life along the Sava. the Sava River, in line with the criteria of the needs can lead to a lasting and satisfactory The bulletin was conceived with the idea of EU Birds and Habitats Directives. This will solution in terms of conserving the natural covering a broad range of topics related to be achieved through the creation of unified and cultural values and creating balanced the conservation of the natural and cultur- cross-border ecological networks along the development plans. al values of the Sava River floodplain. This entire course of the Sava River, and which In that sense, this bulletin is aimed bulletin is not only intended for experts on will consist not only of protected areas, but not only at exchanging experiences and the Sava River, but also for all those inter- also of all those existing transitional areas familiarizing those interested with the ested in the wise management of wetland that the Sava River floodplain abounds in. current happenings along the river, but also habitats that are so typical of the Sava River Like this bulletin, the project is focused not at offering possible solutions for a balanced floodplain. This first edition is dedicated to only on the protection of biodiversity and future of the Sava River floodplain. This the formation of the ecological networks, the landscapes of the floodplain, but also ultimately is aimed at the satisfaction of which represent a significant contribution addresses a number of other issues that those living there. Those whose activities to the modern comprehension of space and are significant for the conservation of the have left their mark on this region, making the relations between humans and nature. unique Posavina landscape. This primarily it one of the most influential natural and This topic is imperative for the conservation refers to the various forms of land use that cultural entities in Central Europe. of all the diversity associated with the Sava have developed into the specific conditions Boris Erg, River. Of course, the bulletin also offers a of the floodplain, the cultural heritage IUCN SEE

March 2008 CORE TOPIC: ECOLOGICAL NETWORKS The concept of ecological networks European biodiversity is largely tied to ecosystems that are under direct or indirect anthropogenic influence. Though certain human activities can lead to increased biological diversity, in recent periods the use of natural resources has been strongly in- tensified, which has had negative impacts on species and habitat diversity. As a result of human activities, habitats have become increasingly fragmented, thereby reducing the number of species and their distribu- tion, as well as the value of goods and services that these natural resources provide. For the purpose of halting biodiversity loss and preserving ecosystems, it would be ideal to protect vast areas and halt the continued exploitation of resources. On / IUCN - Boris Erg wetland the Bardača at Fishpond the other hand, the demands for economic between protected goods, thereby ed under national or European legislation development in Europe are so high that achieving a satisfactory state of species (e.g. Natura 2000 sites). These areas should even in the final remaining areas of wilder- and habitats in line with the EU Birds provide a substantial representation of key ness, this is impossible. The concept of an Directive and Habitats Directive. natural or semi-natural ecosystems and ecological network offers the possibility to The concept of ecological networks contain viable populations of important or reconcile these two opposing demands, in Europe was first formally applied in threatened species. Land use within these by harmonizing the need to protect biodi- 1992 with the formation of the European areas is managed to give priority to biodiversity with the need for natural resources. ecological network entitled Natura 2000, versity conservation. This can be achieved through balanced as part of the EU Habitats Directive. The 2. Corridors: These are areas of suit- planning and tying together areas that are idea of developing ecological networks able habitat that provide functional link- significant for preserving ecological pro- received an important stimulus in 1995, ages between core areas. For example, they cesses and the vitality of populations in the when 53 European countries decided to may stimulate or allow species migration broader context of semi-natural habitats establish the Pan-European Ecological Net- between areas. Corridors can be continu- and intensively managed areas. work (PEEN) as one of the basic activities ous strips of land or ‘stepping stones’ that The concept of ecological networks within the framework of the Pan-European are patches of suitable habitat. Using cor- can be defined asa system of areas between Biological and Landscape Diversity Strat- ridors to improve ecological coherence is which there is not only an ecological but also egy (PEBLDS). The novelties introduced one of the most important tools in com- a physical connection. It is typical that such by the PEEN was the idea of physically bating the fragmentation that is threaten- a system consists of core areas, corridors, connecting central areas, most commonly ing so many of Europe’s habitats. Generally buffer zones and, in some cases, areas to be protected goods at the national or interna- speaking corridors can be associated with revitalized. tional level, by virtue of wise management higher levels of land use, as long as their Generally speaking, the ecological or protected corridors to connect them or function is maintained. network serves to achieve the following to revitalize individual areas. 3. Buffer zones: Protected areas goals: There are four basic integral elements should not be considered as islands that • to mitigate the negative impacts of habi- of the ecological networks (Figure 1): are safe from negative external effects. The tat fragmentation; 1. Core areas: These are areas where resource use that occurs outside them can • to enable species movements; the primary function is biodiversity con- have serious impacts on species and habi- • to establish a functional connection servation. They are usually legally protect- tats within, for example air/water pollution

CORE TOPIC: ECOLOGICAL NETWORKS

Figure 1. Diagram of the ecological network The Sava River - Boris Erg (IUCN) River - Boris Erg Sava The

from industrial activities around a protect- • better links and communication among ed area can have serious effects on species all sectors having an impact on ecolo- within. Buffer zones allow a smoother tran- gical connectivity, including transport, sition between core areas and surrounding tourism, agriculture, water management, land use. The size and utilisation of buffer physical planning, etc; zones depends heavily on the particular • more intensive involvement of the pri- (taken from http://countdown2010.net/archive/paneuropean.html) needs of the specific ecosystem and its lo- vate sector and financial institutions inin - cal population. vestments in environmental protection; 4. Sustainable use areas: These are re- • development of concrete programmes Useful links: maining areas that can come under more at the European, national and regional intensive land use. But they should still level, in order to allow for better ecologi- take full account of the successful provi- cal connection of habitats; sion of ecosystem goods and services. • sound management of core areas of The European ecological network rep- ecological networks in Europe. resents the backbone of nature conserva- Perhaps the most comprehensive ex- tion in Europe, by connecting ecosystems planation of the principle of the ecological and populations of threatened species in networks in Europe is contained within Ar- European Centre for Nature the all-encompassing habitat fragmenta- ticle 10 of the Habitats Directive: Conservation (ECNC): tion. These connections allow species to Member States shall endeavour, where move freely throughout the fragmented they consider it necessary, in their land- www.ecnc.nl/EuropeanEcologicalNe/ environment and facilitates the exchange use planning and development policies Index_6.html of genetic material between populations and, in particular, with a view to improv- or parts of the metapopulation, thereby ing the ecological coherence of the Natura creating the guidelines for the survival of 2000 network, to encourage the manage- Countdown 2010: threatened species and ecosystems. The ment of features of the landscape which www.countdown2010.net/archive/ Sava River represents an exceptionally sig- are of major importance for wild fauna paneuropean.html nificant ecological corridor and, as such, and flora. can be considered one of the backbones Such features are those which, by vir- of the Pan-European ecological network. tue of their linear and continuous struc- Joint Secretariat of the Pan- In order to establish a functional eco- ture (such as rivers with their banks or European Biological and Landscape logical network in Europe, the following the traditional systems for marking field must first be achieved: boundaries) or their function as stepping Diversity Strategy: • better understanding of the funda- stones (such as ponds or small woods), are www.peblds.org/ mental natural processes, including the essential for the migration, dispersal and effects of climate change; genetic exchange of wild species.

March 2008 CORE TOPIC: ECOLOGICAL NETWORKS The Ecological Network in Croatia

The ecological network is a system of In line with the mechanisms of the threatened at the national and/or inter- ecologically important areas of national EU Habitats Directive, the Act prescribes national level. These include beaver, otter, and/or international significance for the that parts of the ecological network may wetland birds, birds of prey (i.e. white- conservation and survival of threatened be protected as specially protected areas, tailed eagle, lesser spotted eagle, Mon- species and habitat types. Pursuant to the through the implementation of manage- tagu’s harrier), corncrake, little and com- Environmental Protection Act, the State ment plans or through a procedure of mon term, collared flycatcher, ferruginous Institute for Nature Protection has drafted assessing the acceptability for each po- duck and others. the expert framework for the ecological tentially threatening intervention. Nega- Several of these seventeen populations network in Croatia, and the Regulation on tively assessed interventions may only be fall in whole or in part within the bound- proclamation of the Ecological Network approved in the event of prevailing public aries of protected areas pursuant to the was proclaimed by the Croatian Govern- interest, and with the compensation terms Nature Protection Act. The Lonjsko Polje ment in October 2007. In the process of listed in the Act. An important mechanism Nature Park, which was included among EU accession, ecological network areas is the possibility of entering into contracts the Ramsar Wetlands in 1993, contains two of international significance will be pro- with rights owners in areas of the ecologi- ornithological reserves within its bound- posed for inclusion into the EU ecological cal network, to ensure incentives for those aries: Krapje đol and Rakita. This nature park network NATURA 2000. Areas of the Na- activities that contribute to biodiversity has been included in the ecological net- tional Ecological Network, in line with the conservation. work in its entirety as an area important for NATURA 2000 network, have been divided In Croatia, the ecological network cov- the conservation of species and habitats, into important bird areas (IBA) and areas ers 47% of the landmass and 39% of the while the broader park area represents the important for other species (except birds) sea area, consisting of 1510 areas that are Donja Posavina internationally important and habitat types. important for species and habitat types. Of bird area. The areas of the Sava ecological The areas comprising the ecological these, 40 areas are internationally impor- network—Podsused, Savica, Sunjsko polje, network are connected by natural or ar- tant bird areas and 2 are corridors. Dvorina and the Jelas fishpond—also fall tificial ecological corridors. An ecological Along the course of the Sava River flow- under the ornithological reserves, in whole corridor is an ecological components or a ing through Croatia, 17 areas have been or in part. Gajna and Jelas polje, the loca- series of such components that allow for earmarked for the ecological network. tions of the fishponds of the same name, the movement of populations from one These areas represent the largest complex are protected as important landscapes, as location to another. of wetland habitats in Croatia. The conser- are Turopoljski lug and Odransko polje, vation objectives in these areas include which are included under the Turopolje various types of flooded alder, poplar, ash ecological network. Spačvanski bazen and common oak forests, flooded mead- also includes two important landscapes, ows and pastures, amphibian communi- Virovi and Spačva, while the protection of ties, aquatic and wetland habitats with Sunjsko polje in the same category is cur- their accompanying vegetation, rently underway. The Prašnik forest has and numerous species been proclaimed a special forest vegetation reserve, as have the Lože and Radiševo forests, which lie within the Spačvanski bazen area of the ecological network. For further information about the ecological network in Croatia, please visit www.dzzp.hr Areas of the ecological network along the Sava River in Croatia network along the Sava of the ecological Areas

CORE TOPIC: ECOLOGICAL NETWORKS Development of the Emerald Network in Serbia the process of receiving protection, while others are currently the site of preliminary investigations. The data received here will form a sound foundation for their future protection at the national level. Within the Sava River valley, two Emerald areas have been selected, the Obedska Bara and Zasavica Special Nature Reserves. Both reserves are included as IPA and IBA areas, while the Obedska Bara Special Nature Re- serve was included in the Ramsar List of Wet- lands of International Importance in 1977. The project is coordinated by the Coun- cil of Europe, with the financial support of the European Environment Agency. Other countries participating in this project are Al- bania, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina,

Heron colonies along the Sava- Vladimir Dobretić Vladimir along the Sava- colonies Heron Montenegro, Croatia and Macedonia, each The Emerald project is aimed at the es- tutes a direct contribution to the achieve- of which is aiming to establish its own eco- tablishment of ecological networks made ment of this goal. logical networks. up of Areas of Special Conservation Interest All in all, a total of 61 areas, which are (ASCI), which are spatial entities and habi- particularly important for the protection tats of particular national and international and conservation of flora, fauna and their importance for biodiversity conservation. habitats, have been selected for the Emer- This project was launched by the Council of ald Project and the envisaged ecological Europe as part of activities stemming from network in Serbia. The most important cri- application of the Convention on the Con- teria to point out is that each area contains servation of European Wildlife and Natural important habitats and species listed under Habitats (Bern Convention). This Conven- the Bern Convention as those priority spe- tion, adopted in 1979, was ratified by Serbia cies and habitats for conservation at the in November 2007. European level. The majority of the selected The Emerald Network is based on the areas have some form of protection status same principles as the Natura 2000 network, at the national level (50 areas have been and is formally considered to be prepara- proclaimed protected natural goods or are tion for the implementation of the Habitats under protection revision). Some areas are Directive. All new EU Member States, and of particular importance at the international

all those yet to become Member States, are level, i.e. MAB Biosphere Reserves (1 site), of Serbia Conservation for Nature Institute network in Serbia, source: Emerald obliged to submit a list of proposed areas Ramsar Wetland Areas (6), Internationally For more information, please visit for the Natura 2000 ecological network and Important Plant Areas (IPA; 33), Internation- www.natureprotection.org.yu the accompanying database. Thus, the im- ally Important Bird Areas (IBA; 33), Prime or contact Nenad Sekulić at: plementation of the Emerald Project consti- Butterfly Areas (PBA; 7). Several areas are in [email protected]

Code Name of the natural good Status RAMSAR MAB IPA IBA PBA

YUSRB0003 Obedska bara SNR X X X YUSRB0014 Zasavica SNR X X SNR – Special Nature Reserve

March 2008 PRESENTING Lonjsko Polje an example of preserving a floodplain area and the traditional way of life The Lonjsko Polje Nature Park is situated on the left bank of the Sava River, in the middle reaches of the river’s course. The park stretches over 506 km, from Sisak to Nova Gradiška, and represents a unique landscape and ecological system of flooded river areas, which are the result of the impacts of natural flooding cycles and human cultural activities. The area was proclaimed a nature park in 1990 and was included on the Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Impor- tance in 1993. The nature park was included on the list of internationally Important Bird Areas in 1989 and has also been proposed for inclusion in the NATURA 2000 ecological network. Today, the Lonjsko Polje Nature Park is Sava at Lonjsko Polje – Boris Erg / IUCN – Boris Erg Polje Lonjsko at Sava a preserved authentic area from the period represent centuries of tradition and the ment of a visitation system, restoration of foundation for management. The park ad- pastures and educating staff and the local ministration invests great efforts to direct population. all resource users towards more rational For more information, please visit use. The park is forested over 66% of its www.pp-lonjsko-polje.hr area, and these areas are managed ac- or contact the park manager, Goran cording to the FSC certificate. Activities to Gugić at: [email protected] revitalize the flooded pastures since overgrown with neophitic shrub species (Amor- pha fruticosa) are a daily obligation for staff and the local population. Projects of the

Kraplje – restored traditional structure – IUCN archive structure traditional – restored Kraplje line ministries and the European Union are of the historical Military Border between helping to develop sustainable tourism the Hapsburg Monarchy and the Ottoman which, in addition to the development of Empire, with a complete medieval system tourism infrastructure and the restoration of fortification. The park offers an excep- of the traditional wooden architecture, tional example of a population adapted to presents this area as a desirable place to

the flood cycle, which is best seen in the live and generates extra revenue for the lo- – IUCN archive training Field traditional architecture, the spatial organi- cal population. zation and formation of the landscape, as The park authority is carrying out a well as in the traditional use of space, i.e. as series of activities within the framework in the breeding of native breeds (Croatian of the European Commission project Posavina horse, Turopolje swine, Slavonian LIFE05 TCY/CRO/000111 “Central Posavina Syrmian podolian cattle). – Wading Towards Integrated Basin Man- The Lonjsko Polje Nature Park Admin- agement”. These activities are aimed at di- istration has been managing the area recting all parties involved towards the in- since 1998. The sensible use of resources tegrated management of Central Posavina, in Lonjsko Polje, according to the recom- the drafting of a management plan for the

mendations of the Ramsar Convention, Lonjsko Polje Nature Park, the establish- / IUCN polje – Boris Erg in Lonjsko a rest Taking

INTERVIEW

Slobodan Puzović Involved in Posavina since 1982. Participated in programmes to protect Obedska bara, Zasavica and the Bosut forests. Launched initiatives with numerous partners to carry out projects to actively protect and improve the condition of protected natural areas. Contributed in preventing the unsustainable use of natural resources in Posavina, and acted to promote its values. Field work – Vladimir Dobretić Vladimir – work Field

1. As an expert who has long been in- tion of the Sava River from Mačvanska Mitrovica Complying with national and international volved in studying and conserving the biodi- to Šabac and from Progar to Ada Ciganlija. The legislation represents a key mechanism. Other versity of the Sava River floodplain, particu- unique mouth of the Drina River at the Sava, important mechanisms are physical planning, larly the area of Obedska bara, how do you which represents a pearl of international impor- the abolition of monopolies, the inclusion of assess the current state of the biodiversity tance due to its natural values and landscape the local community and NGOs, and proper in the lower courses of the Sava River and its properties, has been completely neglected. control and penal policies for violators. In prac- level of protection, in terms of the efficiency The same is true for the mouth of the Kolubara tice though, this does not always function at a of the existing protection models? River. The only positive steps have been taken satisfactory level. The work of inspection bodies Despite the evident changes, Posavina is still at Zasavica, thanks primarily to an adventurous and the judiciary are of particular importance, one of the major centres of biodiversity in Ser- manager who had a “vision” of conservation and as are education and promotion programmes. bia and in central Europe. This is the site of the development. Cooperation between experts and institutions largest floodplain area in the country (i.e. Obed- One of the key problems is the inadequate is imperative, particularly since there are a se- ska bara, 12,000 ha) and the largest complex of management of protected and other areas in the ries of questions that can only be answered by natural oak forests and ponds. This is also site Sava River valley, in addition to the lack of funds taking a multidisciplinary approach. of the Debela gora forest, which many experts and lack of concrete projects. There are numer- Conflicting interests and ideas exist in believe to be a unique common oak forest in in- ous disagreements between interest groups, Posavina, such as the construction of dams, cut- ternational terms. Bear in mind the Bosut forest and a pronounced monopoly in the fields of for- ting off the meanders of Kupinska kut, modifying complex of 20,000 ha in Gornji Srem, the unique estry, water management and agriculture. rivers to ensure their navigability, expanding the areas of Zasavica, the confluence of the Drina network of water wells, increasing poplar planta- River at Mačva and the exceptional flora and 2. What would you consider to be the tions and more. The adoption of the Physical Plan fauna, we can get an overall idea of the value of most important existing mechanisms in for the Obedska bara Special Nature Reserve to Posavina in Serbia. the protection and conservation of biologi- 2022 created the framework to initiate positive Unfortunately, adequate care is still not given cal and landscape diversity along the Sava, steps forward in the village of Donji Srem. The to the natural values and potential of Posavina. and which mechanisms are lacking? How drafting of a similar physically planning docu- Obedska bara is formally under management can intersector cooperation of experts of ment is expected for Zasavica. This will define all that does not support its protection, the Bosut various profiles serve the conservation of the significant sectoral issues, align interests and forest is only of marginal interest, as is the sec- natural values? offer solutions for numerous issues.

March 2008 INTERVIEW

3. How do you assess the level of involve- the ever increasing trends of development ment of the local community in the protec- with the conservation of nature and tradition tion of the natural and traditional cultural of life in Posavina and why is this important? values of Posavina. What do you consider Culture, tradition and land use in Posavina their role to be in that process? have very strong ties to the conservation of bio- There is an exceptional discord between the diversity and landscapes. In Posavina, man and wants and needs and the true involvement of nature have created recognizable landscapes. the local population in protection and manag- Man was once an important factor in the creating the natural values of Posavina. For decades, ing the complexity of the landscapes and the

the local population was completely marginal- formation of its entities, only to later withdraw – IUCN archive Obedska bara Old house in Kupinovo, ized, which only contributed to its inactivity under the pressures of other interest groups. The der cooperation and the establishment of an and inability to envision the perspectives of the age old acorn grazing by pigs in the forests of ecological network along the Sava? area. For many years, certain interest groups Srem, the grazing of cattle, mowing of meadows, The values of Posavina can much better be dominated, and the local population with their fishing and construction in the traditional style comprehended and assessed in the cross-bor- traditional customs could not speak out and sat- have all since died out. The result was the impov- der context that at the national or local levels. isfy their needs. Over time, they were complete- erishment of the landscape diversity. Pastures For this reason, cross-border cooperation is ly forced out of the floodplain areas. The area became overgrown, as did the humid meadows the key to conservation and the promotion of lost a significant driving component, which was and ponds, which led to the disappearance of the existing natural values, not to mention a most felt through the impoverishment of bio- numerous rare and threatened species of plants great development opportunity for local com- logical and landscape diversity. Things began to and animals. For years, this negative process munities. The establishment of an ecological change slowly, the local governments began to was accompanied by the massive appearance network in Posavina would mean strengthen- see the exceptional potential of Posavina, both of poplar clone plantations, which only further ing management capacities, exchanging infor- in terms of ecology and the socioeconomic as- contributed to the monotony of the Posavina mation and improving cooperation and, most pect. Now they are increasingly seeking their landscape. However, it is possible to again nur- important, strengthening the possibilities for development of joint projects and the use of EU funds.

6. Considering your many decades of ex- perience in conservation, how do you view the future of the Sava River and its floodplains? Posavina will certainly continue to experi- ence transformations, particularly given the fact that it lies in the plains, it is easily accessible and close to large cities and transport routes. For all these reasons, the Sava River floodplains need to be wisely managed and protected, first and fore- most from habitat fragmentations, the drying out of existing floodplain areas, pollution and biodiversity loss. Certain parts of Posavina are sure to suffer changes to the river’s course and complete changes in zoning, but with wise man-

Education as an investment in the future – Slobodan Puzović archive – Slobodan Puzović in the future as an investment Education agement and policies in the field of conservation place and role in the management of natural ture the culture and traditional activities of the and a little strategic planning, it is possible to values. Further steps have been taken in the Za- population in Posavina, to contribute to the de- preserve the basic natural and landscape enti- savica Special Nature Reserve. velopment of ecological and ethnological tour- ties such as Obedska bara, Zasavica, the mouth ism and to produce recognizable local products. of the Drina River and the Bosut forests. With the 4. What is the relationship between the This is certainly the best defence from unsustain- support of the local population, the traditions traditional forms of land use, such as the cul- able projects. and customs will be preserved. This will provide tivation of native agricultural crops and the a real opportunity to preserve the recognizable like in preserving the values of the Sava River 5. Today, the Sava is an international and distinctive floodplains of the Sava River, and floodplain? How is it possible to harmonize river. What is the significance of cross-bor- its unique natural and cultural heritage.

NEWS

International Sava River • establishment of sustainable water Posavina Horse Breeders Basin Commission management; Association of Croatia • undertaking measures to prevent or lim- it hazards, such as floods, ice, droughts, The Posavina Horse Breeders Associa- or accidents, as well as to eliminate or tion of Croatia was established in 1993 to reduce their consequences. bring together breeders of the only native horse breed in Croatian – the Posavina Horse. International Sava River Since 2004, the unified Association has been Basin Commission operating through the work of ten breeding associations. The Association has been au- The International Sava River Basin thorized by the Ministry of Agriculture, For- Commission (Sava Commission) was estry and Water Management to implement established pursuant to the Framework breeding and selection programmes for this Sava River at Brčko district Đukić - Svjetlana Brčko River at Sava Agreement on the Sava River Basin. The horse breed. The Posavina Horse Breeders From a cross-border approach to Commission has been entrusted with Association of Croatia is run by volunteers sustainable water management decision-making in the areas of navi- and own revenues are used to pay experts in gation and giving opinions on other the implementation of horse breeding. In recent years, awareness that water is issues. The Posavina horse has always been essential for life has increased – water has The Sava Commission is made up of known for its fondness of humans, intel- become a critical and precious resource. state representatives who are appoint- ligence, modesty, stamina and strength. As These facts have raised global awareness of ed by the Government of each state. such, it represents the peak of harmony be- the fact that water should be managed in The activities of the Sava Commis- tween man and his environment, in which a systematic, sustainable and cross-border sion revolve around six main tasks: traditional breeding has been preserved and manner. Many directives and agreements a) coordination: nurtured. The horse is suitable both for rid- have been adopted by countries, aimed at • in preparation of an integrated Sava ing and for drawing carts. Due to its person- laying the foundation for sustainable water River Basin Management Plan in ac- ality, the horse is perfect for therapeutic and management. Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and cordance with the EU Water Framework recreational riding for adults and children of Herzegovina and Serbia have recognised the Directive; all ages. importance of the Sava River Basin as a cross- • in establishment of an integrated GIS It is important to note that the entire border issue regulated under the Framework information system, RIS river informa- system of defence from floods of the City Agreement on the Sava River Basin. tion system and monitoring and early of Zagreb rests on the flooding of breeding warning systems; areas and pastures where these horses are Framework Agreement • in preparation of studies and projects; kept. This area is also a significant reserve of on the Sava River Basin • in the development of protocol; drinking water and the site of two protected • in the majority of activities in the field areas, the Lonjsko Polje Nature Park and the The Framework Agreement on the Sava of navigation and water management; Odransko Polje significant landscape. River Basin is the basic and most fundamen- b) proposing the Sava River Management The Association aims to raise interest tal document stressing the importance of Plan and priority projects; in the breeding and keeping of horses by cross-border cooperation of governments, c) decision making and aligning state legis- revitalizing the old and forgotten traditional institutions and individuals for the sustain- lation in the field of navigation; customs. In this way, the Association directly able development of the Sava River Basin. d) cooperation with international and na- assists breeders to save the only native The Agreement was signed on 3 Decem- tional organizations; Croatian horse breed from extinction. ber 2002 and ratified by the four signa- e) issuing documents and publications, For more information, please contact tory states on 29 December 2004: Slovenia, and Branko Borković, chairman of the Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and the f) enabling public participation. Association at: [email protected] former Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. The executive and administrative body According to the Agreement, the fol- of the Sava Commission is the Secretariat, lowing are the set objectives for cross-bor- seated in Zagreb. der cooperation: • establishment of an international navi- For more information, please visit: gation regime; www.savacommission.org Posavina horse – SSHP archive Posavina

10 March 2008 NEWS

Brod Ecological Society reconstructed the traditional watchtow- species would also be protected, thereby ers (called “čardak”) from the period of the stimulating the production of healthy The Brod Ecological Society (BES) is Slavonian Military Border, and built a tra- food, while the desiltification of ponds and a non-governmental organization from ditional stable from Slavonian oak in the the creation of plateaus would created the Slavonski Brod that was established in middle of the plateau at Gajna. A protect- appropriate conditions for controlled eco- 1989. Its most evident results have been ed sand depot has been created near the logical tourism. achieved in the protection of natural and Sava River to serve as a nesting area for the The target group for the project is the biological diversity. Today, the Society sand martin. Currently, the Brod Ecological rural local community, supported by the Society is carrying out the project “Protec- partners of the Municipality of Oprisavci tion, conservation and improvement of and the Brod-Posavina County Tourist biodiversity and developing ecological Board and the cooperation of institutions awareness through the breeding of native (Institute for the Management of Protect- Croatian species and stimulating organic ed Natural Values in Brod-Posavina County farming”, financed by the EU through the and the Oprisavci Tourist Board). Through CARDS 2004 programme. the results of the project, the local communities will accept ecological production as Gajna, cows resting on the banks of the Sava – BES archive on the banks of Sava resting Gajna, cows Cards 2004 Project one of the conditions for sustainable de- has 160 registered members and some 40 velopment. The project also aims to raise activists. Among the Society’s some 30 The BES is currently involved in a project ecological awareness and lay the founda- projects related to the Sava River, one of to protect, conserve and improve biodi- tions for eco-tourism through accompany- the most noteworthy is the international versity and develop ecological awareness ing projects (creating bicycle and horse- river bank clean-up action, organized at through the breeding of native Croatian back riding trials through protected areas Gajna (a typical flooded Sava pasture near species and stimulating organic farm- of the county). the village of Oprisavci) in 1995, 1997 and ing. The project is financed with EU funds 1999, and along the banks of the Sava through the CARDS 2004 programme for a For more information, please contact Šimo River at Slavonski Brod in 1996 and 2000. duration of 18 months. Beneš of the Brod Ecological Society at: Financial support received from the Re- The project is focused on the signifi- [email protected] gional Environment Centre (REC) allowed cant Gajna landscape in the floodplains for the implementation of several educa- of the Sava River in eastern Brod-Posavina Zasavica - 10 years of tional projects and the implementation County. The project gives incentives and love and protection of the project entitled “Protection of the ensures the conditions for economic activ- Danube Basin from Pollution” as part of the ity, and ensures sustainable development Pokret gorana, a nature conservation Regional Project to Protect the Danube Ba- in line with ecological principles in rural movement from Sremska Mitrovica that sin. In 2005, the BES launched the project areas in Croatia. The project focuses on the manages the Zasavica Special Nature Re- “Protection of Biodiversity in the Sava River villages in the Oprisavci municipality. Fur- serve, is one of the few that in a decade Floodplains”, financed by Croatian Waters ther project objectives include activating of management of protected natural ar- in cooperation with the State Institute for other groups to assist in the creation and eas have succeeded not only in conserving Nature Protection. maintenance of conditions for traditional threatened species, but also in returning The Brod Ecological Society launched grazing methods which are so critically species that had previously disappeared. A an initiative to proclaim Gajna as a protect- needed in order to conserve these disap- great deal has also been accomplished in ed area, which became a reality in 1990. The pearing native species and landscapes. bringing together the non-governmental Gajna area is predominantly used as a pas- The fundamental idea of the project sector with state institutions. The Zasavica ture. In addition to having the area special- was to combine economically feasible Special Nature Reserve celebrated its tenth ly proclaimed for that purpose, the Society ecological breeding of Slavonian Podolian anniversary in 2007. The main event was also ensured that Gajna is a natural spawn- cattle, the Posavina horse and the Black held on 9 June when the Reserve received ing ground for the fish communities of the Slavonian pig on the Gajna pastures in or- the Olive Branch from Radio Belgrade for its Sava River, and a wealthy feeding ground der to create the necessary conditions for concept of sustainable development in pro- for many wetland species of birds and mi- the functioning of ecological cooperatives. tected natural areas. The Reserve launched gratory birds. As part of the programme to This would further stimulate sustainable a promotional campaign to raise awareness preserve native species, BES constructed a development in this area of special state of the natural values in the Reserve, through traditional well (called “đeram”) at Gajna, concern. Through free grazing, native plant numerous guest appearances on radio and

11 NEWS

This also marks the border with the Republic tion in certain European countries. However, of Croatia. unlike in Serbia where there are 1100 – 1250 Due to the natural “leaning” of the Mu- nesting pairs, and Croatia where there are nicipality of Srbac on the Sava River, and 1000 – 1500 nesting pairs, the populations the position of the town of Srbac at the very of this species in Bosnia and Herzegovina is mouth of the Vrbas River, one of the largest very small and highly threatened. In 2006

Tour of Zasavica in the boat Umbra – Vladimir Dobrotić Vladimir – Umbra in the boat of Zasavica Tour tributaries to the Sava River, the entire north- and 2007, members of the ‘Naše Ptice’ Orni- television. Special reports were filmed at the ern part of the municipality represents a typi- thological Society worked to develop a mon- Reserve and broadcast on TV Avala, TV Fox, cal floodplain area of the Sava River Valley. itoring programme for the white stork popu- TV BS, RTV M, TV Srem, TV B92 and others, The local population has taken on numerous lation in Bosnia and Herzegovina. According while numerous articles were published in activities on the river. In recent years, the to data collected in 2007, it is estimated that daily newspapers and magazines. Two short Sava, as a navigable route, has given rise to about 50 pairs of the white stork nest in Bos- films on the natural rarities of the Reserve, many “bargemen”, though in fewer numbers nia and Herzegovina, with Posavina as the Umbra krameri and Zasavica, were edited than in the neighbouring village of Davor on main nesting area in the country. In addition at the Sirmiumfilm Production studio, and the other bank of the Sava River in Croatia, to mapping nests, a series of other important these films were made available in original wooden packaging. This year, Zasavica representatives attended three scientific confer- ences and several seminars. During October, the Reserve presented its tourism program and research results at the International Hunting, Fishing, Ecology and Tourism Fair in Novi Sad and at the International Book Fair in

Belgrade, at which it also presented the new – APIS archive before as it was Life along the Sava Kotrošan near Bijeljina - Dražen in the village of Donje storks Crnjelovo White Zasavica geographical tourism map. known far and wide for its “bargemen” and data were collected (i.e. the number of young The final event of the jubilee was a sci- river captains. hatched and surviving young, nesting place, entific expert conference dedicated to ten Today’s activities on the river are primarily factors influencing survival, etc.) that will al- years of researching the biodiversity of the directed at the exploitation of river sand and low for a better approach to protecting these Zasavica Special Nature Reserve. The confer- gravel, and the cross-border raft transport magnificent birds. One of the planned tasks ence was held on 1 December 2007 at Srem- between Srbac and Davor. Today, there are is to build nesting platforms, which would ska Mitrovica, and was organized by the Re- only a handful of fishermen who cast their reduce the pressure on the rooftops where serve management in cooperation with the nets to catch the fish. The question must be the storks most frequently build their nests, Department for Biology and Ecology, Faculty posed as to whether these forms of river use and reducing the dangers of electrocution of of Science, University of Novi Sad and the are sustainable, and whether the times when birds building their nests on electric poles. In Institute for Nature Conservation of Serbia. the Sava abundantly fed Posavina, provided order for this campaign to succeed, it is nec- The conference programme included an water for cattle and milled the wheat for essary to include the general population to independent art exhibit of about 20 photo- bread have been lost for good? ensure the future survival of the white stork graphs of the Reserve by Katarina Pavlović For more information, please contact population in Bosanska Posavina. from Belgrade. Aleksandar Milanović of the Agency for the For more information, please contact Development of Small and Medium Enter- Dražen Kotrošan [email protected] For more information, please visit prises Srbac – APIS at: alexmil@blic.net National Museum of www.zasavica.org.yu or contact Mihajlo Bosnia and Herzegovina Stanković at: [email protected] The white storks of Bosanska Posavina Revitalization of the Activities of the Veliki Galijaš Channel on Municipality of Srbac The white stork, Ciconia ciconia (Linnae- Great War Island us, 1758), belongs to a group of bird species The Municipality of Srbac, situated some whose life is closely tied to that of humans. At its session held on 8 April 2005, the 50 kilometres northeast of Banja Luka, is Some estimates state that from 180,000 to Belgrade City Assembly adopted a decision bounded by the right bank of the Sava River 220,000 pairs of birds nest in Europe, mark- to protect the natural area Great War Island to the north for a distance of 40 kilometres. ing a stable to slight increase in the popula- as an exceptional landscape. The manage-

12 March 2008 NEWS

Fund for the Development nized as an internationally important wetland of the Non-profit Sector in area according to the Ramsar Convention. the Autonomous Province Bardača is situated in the Municipality of Sr- of Vojvodina bac, near the confluence of the Vrbas River into the Sava, and represents one of the most preserved wetland areas in the entire Sava River Valley floodplain. The meeting brought together more than 50 participants from all four countries through which the Sava flows – Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia. Participants included all partners Great War Island, source Google Earth source Island, War Great in the project, representatives of numerous ment of the protected area has been en- organizations, institutions, protected area trusted to the Zelenilo Municipal Services managers, associations and non-govern- Beograd. The island is bounded by the Dan- The Fund for the Development of the ube to the north, the Sava River to the east Non-profit Sector in the Autonomous Prov- and the Danube-Danubec backwater to the ince of Vojvodina was established to offer south and west, with a total area of 210.80 support to non-governmental civil organiza- ha. The island is comprised of two river is- tions in Vojvodina. The Development Fund lands – Great and Little War Islands. was established by the Assembly of the Au- Great War Island was proclaimed a natu- tonomous Province of Vojvodina. In its work, ral fish spawning ground in 2002, within the the Development Fund is focused on sup-

Danube III fishing area. The natural good porting initiatives for social change aimed at Plenary – IUCN archive Bardača meeting at is situated on the border of two fishing re- strengthening the civil society. The Develop- mental organizations active in the Sava River gions, the Danube III and Sava II, and its fish ment Fund organizes expert and educational region. The meeting brought together a wide fund is a direct reflection of the state of the meetings and various fund-raising activities, range of experts in the field of nature con- fisheries in the waters of these two regions. issues publications to promote significant is- servation, forestry, water management, agri- The interior aquatic areas on the island are sues, acts and develops the non-profit sector culture, tourism, development activities and the former channels of Veliki and Mali Galijaš in Vojvodina, supports and establishes vol- others. The full-day meeting was conceived that previously had direct links to the river, unteer centres and cooperates with these, to allow participants to exchange informa- thereby allowing for fish spawning. Prior to and supports and promotes significant re- tion about current events in the Sava region, the start of works, the channels were filled in search and scientific programmes. ongoing or recently completed projects and and were overgrown with vegetation, with For more information, please visit: to present individual state strategies in the little water to be seen. http://www.fondrnps.org.yu/ development of ecological networks along In October 2007, the revitalization and the Sava River. The working part of the meet- cleaning of the Veliki Galijaš channel was ing was structured to actively analyse public completed. The silt was removed and the participation and the possibility of including channel restored to its original state. The interested parties in the protection and sus- objective of the revitalization is to create tainable development of the Sava River Val- the conditions for natural spawning and ley. Given that this project is unfolding in the the preservation of the fish fund in the context of cross-border cooperation, these channel during fluctuations in the water meetings are exceptionally important, not levels on the Danube and Sava Rivers in only in terms of strengthening cooperation, Meeting at Bardača, group work – IUCN archive work group Bardača, Meeting at the characteristic time of year. There is no becoming better acquainted with current better was to ensure an equally compre- First Stakeholder events and exchanging information, but are hensive and thorough stimulus to native meeting at Bardača also aimed at defining a harmonized joint fish reproduction and conservation of the strategy for the protection and conservation native fish species. The first Stakeholder meeting in the of biodiversity and the authentic landscapes For more information, please visit project “Protection of Biodiversity of the Sava along the Sava River. www.zelenilo.co.yu or contact Snežana River Basin Floodplains” was held on 24 Sep- For more information, please contact Antonijević at: [email protected] tember at Bardača, which was recently recog- Boris Erg at: [email protected]

13 NEWS

Initial project year existing strategies and programmes at the mal species. Many such areas can be found rounded up with the national and regional levels. A discussion along the Sava River in Serbia, mostly along Steering Committee was held on how to best align project left bank. Obedska bara is certainly the best meeting activities with the objectives and activities known. of the Sava Commission, in order to ensure According to the CORINE Land Cover The first year of the project “Protection wise management of the resources of the classification, inland marshes include all of Biodiversity of the Sava River Basin Sava River and its floodplains. Finally, plans low-lying lands that are flooded in winter Floodplains” was rounded up with the for 2008 were presented. The coming year and heavily water saturated during the rest second regular meeting of the project’s will bring intensive work on collecting and of the year. These are unforested areas with Steering Committee, held on 29 November organizing field data, and will continue specific ligneous, semi-ligneous and herba- in Zagreb under the auspices of the Croatian to present the heritage of the Sava River ceous vegetation, with the exception of hu- Ministry of Culture – Nature Protection Valley. mid meadows with water logging of 10–30 Directorate. The meeting brought together For more information, please contact cm in depth. representatives of the line ministries of the Boris Erg at: [email protected] On the left bank of the Sava River in Ser- countries through which the Sava River flows, bia, more precisely from the mouth of the representatives of the project management Wetland habitats Drina River into the Sava and from the mouth team, working group coordinators, along the Sava of the Sava River into the Danube, a total of NGOs and representatives of partner 10 inland marshes have been recorded (ac- organizations. In addition to presenting the progress achieved since the initial meeting of the Steering Committee held in April 2007 in Sarajevo, the overall project results for 2007 and the activities conducted within the framework of each of the existing four working groups—biodiversity, land use, GIS and public awareness—were presented. The meeting offered the members of the

Steering Committee to become acquainted archive – SEPA map of Obedska bara Cover Land CORINE with how the project is unfolding, and to Numerous humid, flooded and marsh cording to CORINE Land Cover) at distances give their comments and suggestions as areas are found in the plains that lie along of 700–3500 m from the Sava River, and two to the future course for planning activities, large rivers. These areas are very important at distances from 8–13 km. The total sur- in order to ensure their compliance with for conserving the diversity of plant and ani- face of the inland marshes on the left bank is 14,181,028.05 m2, of which 8,368,211.23 m2 lies within the Obedska bara Special Na- ture Reserve. Potkovica itself covers an area of 5,559,073.16 m2. These areas are usually elongated and winding in shape, while the surface of the area is either flat or concave with microstructures in the forms of “humps” or “clumps”. The mosaic nature of the ecosystem and the specific microrelief, and the seasonal flooding cycle create habitats for numerous species of plants and animals. Within the reserve, a total of 222 bird species, 50 mammal species, 16 fish species, 13 amphibian species, 11 reptile species, more than 300 insect species and some 500 plant species have been recorded to date. Contact: Slaviša Popović, Serbian Environmental Protection Agency

Photo from the first Steering Committee meeting, Sarajevo – IUCN archive Sarajevo meeting, Committee Steering the first from Photo http://www.sepa.sr.gov.yu/

14 March 2008 NEWS Threatened Natural Heritage of the Lower Course of the Drina River tern. In Europe, this species usually nests on sea coasts, islands and lagoons and only exceptionally in inland Europe, usually in small numbers and only at a handful of sites. The closest such nesting sites are found only in the best preserved sections of the Drava River. In Serbia, these nesting sites are found only on the lower course of the Drina River. Both ornithologists and the local population have warned that the natural heritage of the lower Drina River is very threatened. In recent years, the entire ecosystem has been in danger of complete degradation or destruction due to intensive gravel excavation. During the summer months,

Little tern (Sterna albifrons) – Maciej Szymanski albifrons) (Sterna Little tern private companies illegally excavate and The Drina, the largest tributary of the deposit settles, the alluvial forest commu- haul off gravel with heavy machinery in Sava River, is formed with the merging of nities develop spontaneously. the riverbed. It is precisely this period that the Piva and Tara Rivers, and flows over Recently, ornithologists from the Bird 346 km. However, its valley is only 175 km Study and Protection Society of Vojvo- in length, thus illustrating the meander- dina, working under the auspices of the ing nature of this river. This is a cross-bor- EURONATUR European Natural Heritage der river system that spans the territories Fund and the Institute for Nature Conserva- of Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and tion of Serbia, have confirmed that the sig- Montenegro. Despite the intensive use of nificance of the lower section of the Drina the river’s hydrological potential, the river River for nesting birds far exceeds national connects the diverse and preserved land- bounds. Their research has confirmed that scapes of the central Balkans, from the little terns, goosanders, numerous sand highest peaks of the Dinarid mountains, martins and European bee-eaters, pairs of

over the gentle slopes of the Valjevi Moun- common kingfishers, little ringed plovers Tucakov – Marko with the Sava near the confluence Drina River, tains to the Pannonian lowlands. Hydro- and common sandpipers use this area as a is most critical for the nesting birds, which logically speaking, the course of the Drina nesting site. The crown of this research was are easily disturbed. In the process, the River is divided into three sections: the the discovery of nesting sites of little terns. gravel islands are destroyed or are joined upper, middle and lower sections (from These are all indicator species that require to the banks, making them accessible to Zvornik to the confluence of the Drina calm gravel islands not overgrown with fishermen and bathers. with the Sava, length 91 km). vegetation and which are not connected Given the great importance of this Throughout its course, the river is very to the river banks for nesting. Sand martins, area, ornithologists are planning to launch dynamic and strongly meanders, particu- bee-eaters and kingfishers nest in holes in an initiative to legally protect the area as larly from Loznica to its mouth, thus cre- the vertical walls that are created when the a natural good. The area already meets all ating numerous meanders on the banks, river “breaks off” a part of the bank during criteria to be proclaimed an internationally gravel and sand islands and long gravel flood waves, while the other species men- significant wetland area under the Ramsar beaches. Alluvial forests line the banks, tioned nest on the gravel islands. Accord- Convention. created by the dynamics of the river: the ing to the research conducted by ornithol- Marko Tucakov water erodes the banks and deposits mate- ogists, the significance of the lower Drina Bird Study and Protection Society of rial downstream, and in places where this is must greater with respect to the little Vojvodina: [email protected]

15 NEWS

River conservation in eration and dyalogue between authori- for heating the water for the school`s gym. Croatia through close ties, NGOs and public in Croatia and BiH Project name is “PROMOTING conser- cooperation with on the water protection and sustainable vation of border river ecosystems and sus- neighbouring Bosnia management of rivers; so the life along tainable use of resources in border area of and Herzegovina and from the river is asured and the natu- Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina” and is financed by EU funds, CARDS 2004 program grant sheme Cross border cooperation. For more information Irma Popovic, Freshwater Program Coordinator, Green Action/FoE Croatia Frankopanska 1, Box.O. 952, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia tel: +385 1 4818 480, fax: +385 1 4813 096, GSM: + 385 99 3149 625, www.zelena-akcija.hr Danube Water Transport Can Be Green – Government, Industry and Conservationists Agree Cetina River Valley - IUCN archive Valley River Cetina In July 2007 the two-year project for ral ecosystems conserved. There are going protection and sustainable use of natural to be organized a set of multi-stakeholder resources in bordering area of Croatia and workshops on 5 different rivers that will The first-ever `Joint Statement on Guid- Bosnia and Herzegovina was launched, as be recognized as hot spots of river biodi- ing Principles for the Development of Inland a basis for good crossborder relations and versity. By the end of the project in 2009 Navigation and Environmental Protection in sustainable development of both countries. the promotional poster and brochure will the Danube River Basin´ was launched on 11 Project goal is raising of awareness, be printed and disseminated around the March 2008 knowledge and cooperation on environ- project area. For the inventarization of se- The interdisciplinary process to create the ment protection, through promotion of lected rivers and identification of river hot Joint Statement was led by the Vienna-based conservation of river`s biodiversity and spots Croatian experts were hired from International Commission for the Protection sustainable usage of natural resources Croatian Biological Society and Associa- of the Danube River (ICPDR), the Budapest- in wider border area of Croatia and BiH. tion of biology students BIUS. based Danube Commission on Navigation Project is conducted by Green Action/FoE Except promotional and educational and the Zagreb-based International Com- Croatia in cooperation with Brod Ecological campaign on river ecosystems and its mission for the Sava River Basin (a Danube Organization “Earth” from Slavonski Brod conservation, the project activities are sub-basin). Over 50 stakeholders including and NGO “Lijepa naša” from Ploče; and BiH focused also on practical “Do it yourself” 12 basin governments and 22 industry and NGOs – Eko Neretva from Jablanica and workshops on small solar system instal- environmental interest groups also partici- Center for environment from Banja Luka. lation, as an example of usage of renew- pated in the year-long process. Rivers don`t know boundaries - water able energy sources on local level. Added Participants generated a common under- quality and habitats downstream are under value of this activity is that the participants standing about the protection of the riverine influence of upstream state of rivers and its from these workshops will be able to use environment and the necessary conditions tributaries. No matter from which side of gained knowledge and possibly self-em- for developing sustainable inland navigation the boundary the pollutions comes to the ploy themselves in their region. The first in an intact riverine landscape. This includes river, the condition is spread all through solar workshop was organized in Hrvatska how to maintain the existing infrastructure the riverflow – which was the main starting Kostajnica on Una river in November 2007. such as the navigation channel, sluices and point for this project. It is dealing mainly The solar system was installed on High ports and how to improve navigation with- with establishing and deepening of coop- school Ivan Trnski as a part of the system out causing conflicts.

16 March 2008 NEWS

“One major result is that all participants – caused by navigation as one of the factors ciples are applicable and valuable anywhere from developers to conservationists – agreed behind overall ecological status degradation in the world.” that inland navigation, if done properly, can in the basin. Note: be a sustainable mode of transport,” said There was further concern about EU The Joint Statement and its Annexes can Milovan Božinović, President of the Danube plans to make the Danube a major transport be downloaded at http://www.icpdr.org/icpdr- Commission. “Another is that the Statement corridor under EU Trans-European Transport pages/navigation_and_ecology_process.htm provides a set of principles, again agreed (TEN-T) guidelines. The plans were intended The International Commission for the by all, that guide how the development of to provide a sustainable solution to commer- Protection of the Danube River (ICPDR) is navigation projects can and should be done cial transport, especially road transit, along an international organization consisting of 13 properly,” added Dejan Komatina, Secretary the Danube corridor which had increased by cooperating states and the European Union. of the Sava Commission. over 100 per cent in nearly all Danube coun- Since its establishment in 1998, it has grown One key principle is the need for an tries in the last decade. The plans, however, into one of the largest and most active interna- interdisciplinary planning process from the also drove a wave of proposals for invest- tional bodies engaged in river basin manage- beginning of a project that includes: envi- ments in new waterway infrastructure in the ment in Europe. Its activities relate not only to ronment, water management and transport Danube Basin, and increasing concern over the Danube River, but also the tributaries and ministries; scientists in river engineering, their potential impact on the river ecology. ground water resources of the entire Danube navigation, ecology, spatial planning, tour- In response, the Joint Statement further River Basin. ism and economics; and other stakeholders recognizes the need to abide by the Water The ultimate goal of the ICPDR is to imple- such as environmental NGOs and the private Framework Directive, in particular the `river ment the Danube River Protection Convention sector. Other principles include minimizing basin management plans´ for the Danube by promoting and coordinating sustainable the impacts of engineering interventions, us- and Sava basins to be prepared by 2009. and equitable water management, including ing non-structural measures (e.g. improved These plans will include measures to protect conservation, and improvement and rational fleets, technologies and information sys- and restore aquatic ecological systems and use of waters for the benefit of the Danube tems) and applying environmental impact to reduce the negative past and potential River Basin countries and their people. assessments with public input. impacts from navigation development. The initiation of the Joint Statement “Once a decision-maker or a water man- For further information, please contact was driven by concerns that some planned ager in the Danube Basin reads this guide Jasmine Bachmann, ICPDR Secretariat at: jas- Danube navigation projects could conflict before starting a new navigation project, [email protected], or visit the with the EU Water Framework Directive -- then he or she will realize that having a website: http://www.icpdr.org water protection legislation that obliges EU multi-use river system that benefits ships, The Danube Commission (DC) was Member States to reach a `good´ status for people and ecology is both possible and founded in 1954 in Budapest with an aim of all European waters by 2015 – and the desire obligatory,” said ICPDR Executive Secretary implementing “The Convention regarding to improve the navigation conditions on the Philip Weller “And while this Joint Statement the Regime of Navigation on the Danube” Danube. In 2004, the ICPDR’s `Danube River was created for Danube users, we believe adopted in Belgrade in 1948 (The Belgrade Basin Analysis´ had identified past alterations that its comprehensiveness, scope and prin- Convention). The DC has 11 member states (all riparian States plus Russia) and six observers. France, Turkey and the European Commission have applied for full membership. The member states established the Preparatory Committee for the revision (modernization) of the Belgrade Convention. The role of the DC Secretariat, as its executive body, is to monitor and review all aspects of the Danube navigation, to make proposals in a form of recommendation for its development, as well as for harmonizing it with international standards of inland navigation.

For further information, please contact Ivana Tomic, Danube Commission at: [email protected], or visit the website: www.danubecom-intern.org Iron Gates - IUCN archive Gates Iron

17 Contributor contributions

The editors wish to thank all those who have given their contribution The Life along the Sava Bulletin contains contributor contributions to this first issue of the Bulletin. We invite all those interested to send and news. The designation of geographical entities in this publication, interesting articles on the organizations and institutions that are active and the presentation of the material, do not imply the expression of along the Sava River, news relating to your activities, research, projects, any opinion whatsoever on the part of IUCN concerning the legal status events and other activities of importance for the protection and of any country, territory, or area, or of its authorities, or concerning the conservation of the natural and traditional heritage and the sustainable delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. The views expressed in this development of the Sava River and its floodplains. Articles should not publication do not necessarily reflect those of IUCN. be longer than 1500-2000 characters with spaces (about 250 words) and should include photographs and illustrations (resolution 150 dpi, size Publisher: IUCN Programme Office for South-Eastern Europe, Belgrade 10x15 cm). Please send your contributions to the following addresses: For further information concerning the Bulletin, please contact: • [email protected] (articles in Bosnian) Boris Erg, IUCN Programme Office for South-Eastern Europe • [email protected] (articles in Croatian) Dr Ivana Ribara 91, 11070 Belgrade, Serbia • [email protected] (articles in Serbian/BiH) Tel: +381 11 22 72 411 • [email protected] (articles in Serbian) Fax: +381 11 22 72 531 • [email protected] (articles in Slovenian and other languages) e-mail: [email protected]

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IUCN, the International Union for Conservation of Nature, helps the world find pragmatic solutions to our most pressing environment and development challenges. IUCN supports scientific research; manages field projects all over the world; and brings governments, non-government organizations, United Nations agencies, companies and local communities together to develop and implement policy, laws and best practice. IUCN is the world’s oldest and largest global environmental network. IUCN is a democratic membership union with more than 1,000 government and NGO member organizations, and some 10,000 volunteer scientists in more than 160 countries. IUCN’s work is supported by 1,100 professional staff in 62 offices and hundreds of partners in public, NGO and private sectors around the world. IUCN’s headquarters are located in Gland, near Geneva, in Switzerland.

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IUCN Programme Office for South-Eastern Europe Wageningen International Dr Ivana Ribara 91, 11070 Beograd P.O.Box 88 Serbia 6700 AB Wageningen, Netherlands Tel: +381 11 22 72 411 Tel: +31 317 495 257 Fax: +381 11 22 72 531 Fax: +31 317 495 395 www.iucn.org/southeasterneurope www.wi.wur.nl Joerg Lohmann, Project Director, [email protected] Henk Zingstra, Coordinator, [email protected] Boris Erg, Project Manager, [email protected]

State Institute for Nature Protection Center for Ecology and Natural Resources Trg Mažuranića 5, 10 100 Zagreb of the Faculty of Science in Sarajevo Croatia Zmaja od Bosne 33-35, 71000 Sarajevo Tel: +385 1 5502 931 Bosnia and Herzegovina Fax: +385 1 5502 901 Tel: +387 33 649 196 www.dzzp.hr Fax: +387 33 649 359 Jasminka Radović, Coordinator, [email protected] Sulejman Redžić, Coordinator, [email protected]

Agricultural Institute of Republic of Srpska INSTITUTE FOR Institute for Nature Conservation of Serbia Knjaza Miloša 17, 78000 Banja Luka NATURE Dr Ivana Ribara 91, 11070 Beograd Bosnia and Herzegovina CONSERVATION Serbia Tel: +387 51 321 490 OF SERBIA Tel: +381 11 20 93 852 Fax: +387 51 312 792 Fax: +381 11 20 93 867 www.poljinstbl.com www.natureprotection.org.yu Tihomir Predić, Coordinator, [email protected] Duška Dimović, Coordinator, [email protected]

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