Rivers Mrežnica and Tounjčica in Croatia granted legal rights and protections as natural entities
The Mrežnica and Tounjčica rivers, known for their natural beauty, biodiversity, and cultural significance, have been officially protected by the Croatian government. This decision, supported by Irma Popović Dujmović, TNC Freshwater Program Director for Croatia, and Martina Furdek Hajdin, Karlovac County Prefect, is seen as a significant step in preserving these rivers for future generations.
The protection of these rivers ensures the implementation of conservation measures on the Mrežnica River, providing sanctuary for diverse plant and animal species, and protecting the dozens of tufa waterfalls the river is famous for. The decision also establishes a monument to nature in the upper course of the Mrežnica River and a significant landscape in its middle course.
Local communities are recognized as the backbone of river conservation and the sustainable use of river resources. The United for Rivers initiative, a cross-regional coalition of NGOs, played a role in this decision. TNC is committed to providing ongoing support for the conservation of the Mrežnica and Tounjčica rivers.
Martina Furdek Hajdin and Asim Ugljen, a Croatian actor and avid kayaker, are featured in Mrežnica River videos. A United for Rivers landing page is available on our website, and the United for Rivers initiative website is available for more information.
This decision builds on recent precedents to protect the Krupa, Mura, and Drava rivers. The Public Institution Natura Viva, Karlovac County, and TNC are committed to continued collaboration and sustainable management of the new protected areas. Antonija Bišćan, director of the Public Institution Natura Viva, expressed hope for continued community interest in protecting the area.
For more details or specific time periods, feel free to reach out for a targeted research. While I couldn't find information on a specific Landeshauptmannin (Landeshauptmann) of the Karlovac-Gebiet who has explicitly and publicly supported the protection of these rivers, I'm here to help with further research if you have more details!
