STI News: Rare animal species in Drava river basin face extinction

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Rare animal species in Drava river basin face extinction

 

 

 

VARAZDIN (Croatia) -- Work on regulation of the Drava river sparked outrage

among environmental organisations, warning that it might lead to extinction of

numerous protected species.

 

Drava's valuable wetlands and natural habitats are being endangered by the

large-scale extraction of river gravel directly from the riverbed in Croatia's

part stretching 20km from the northern town of Varazdin to the border with

Slovenia, the World Wide Fund (WWF) for Nature said.

 

Croatian authorities claim that the works on the river regulation are necessary

to protect the area from the floods.

 

But according to the WWF, it leads to the destruction of the natural habitats

for almost 50 rare species including white-tailed eagles, black storks, beavers,

otters and turtles.

 

The gravel extraction from river beds and banks apart from directly causing

biodiversity loss also causes the groundwater tables to fall and the drying out

of forests.

 

'This outstanding natural area could soon be lost if Croatian authorities do not

take a more responsible attitude to managing their natural resources,' David

Reeder, a WWF expert leading a protection of Drava project, said.

 

Environmental groups have urged an immediate halt to the work and are calling

for a parliamentary debate to ensure the protection of the river's natural

richness.

 

The environmentalists explain that the river's ecosystem has just begun to adapt

to the changes caused by the construction and working regime of three

hydroelectric plants in the area, and that the continuation of works on river

regulation could thus have disastrous effects. -- AFP

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