Coalition for Pliva Formed: 'Pliva for Life, Not for Profit!'

(Patria) - Representatives of associations and informal citizen groups from the Pliva river basin, and the Center for Environmental Life (CZZS) from Banja Luka, formed the Coalition for Pliva yesterday at a meeting held in Jezero, whose primary goal is joint work and action to protect this natural gem from harmful projects. This meeting was held at the initiative of the Center for Environmental Life, on the occasion of the International Day of Action for Rivers, which is celebrated every year on March 14.

For the first time, all fighters for the Pliva river gathered in one place and exchanged experiences: from Jajce, Jezero, Šipovo, and Mrkonjić Grad. At a time when geological surveys are being conducted in Jezero and permits for small hydroelectric power plants on the Pliva river are being issued, it is important for these groups to connect, exchange experiences, because they are all united by the fight to preserve one of the most beautiful rivers in Europe.

“The determination to fight and the desire to protect the Pliva river have today turned into the establishment of the Coalition for Pliva, through which we will act together to preserve this natural beauty. At the gathering, we heard a lot of great ideas that we will further develop and implement together, and I can only add that this is just the beginning of the resistance. Today we are sending a clear message: you will not dig, and you will not push Pliva into pipes!”, stated Nataša Mazalica from the Center for Environmental Life.



Suzana Rajković from the Citizens' Association “Dolina Plive” believes that networking and exchanging experiences are very important:

“As a Coalition, we can find solutions together, and besides that, more people means greater resistance and rebellion against this problem. We are ready for anything; if protests or other blockades do not yield results, we are ready to defend Pliva with our lives and our bodies.”

Velid Hrnjić, an environmental activist from the Mountaineering Society Ćusine from Jajce, emphasized that Pliva is threatened from its source to its mouth and that a joint campaign of all citizens and residents living in the Pliva valley is necessary.

“That is the only way we can activate the population and our politicians to do what we elected them for, instead of working in the interest of foreign capitalists and individuals who do everything to the detriment of the citizens,” said Hrnjić.

The Pliva river, as well as the Janj river, are the jewels of Šipovo, a municipality that is the center of tourism in this region, and should remain so, concluded the representatives of the informal citizen groups “Guardians of Pliva” and “We Won't Give Up Pliva and Janj”.

“We need to unite and together send the message that these areas are meant for people to live and engage in tourism. We must preserve nature and drinking water, which is becoming increasingly scarce in Europe and the world. It is not easy to reach a common answer to all threats, but we have had some successful victories behind us and we can help,” said Jovan Todorović from “Guardians of Pliva”.

Dražen Prole from the informal group “We Won't Give Up Pliva and Janj” emphasizes that everyone from the Pliva valley is united around one goal, and that is to protect this river and its banks.

“We and our children live here. People fought to survive here, not to leave. If a mine and hydroelectric power plants happen, I think it will be difficult to survive in these areas, and that suits those who want to build them the most,” believes Prole.
In the coming period, the Coalition for Pliva will work on implementing joint activities, and from the gathering yesterday, a clear message was sent before the next meeting: “Pliva for Life, Not for Profit!”