Alliance of local communities declares “state of emergency” on Mt. Stara Planina over SHPPs

The Mt. Stara Planina alliance of local communities has declared a “state of emergency” on that mountain due to violations of the laws and the Constitution of Serbia related to the construction of small hydropower plants (SHPPs).

The public is already aware of the situation in the village of Rakita, where the state has not done anything to prevent illegal actions despite a binding decision of the environmental inspector, the alliance said in a press release.

Alliance has organized solidarity watch to protect the laws and the Constitution

According to the press release, landslides, devastated roads and estates, the constant threat to buildings and inhabitants are the consequences of such actions that harrow the local population. The same scenario is being prepared in Topli Do, on the Jelovica River, as well as in 50 other locations in the Stara Planina Nature Park, the alliance warned.

It has organized solidarity watch to protect the laws and the Constitution and has called for public solidarity.

Alliance has called on Serbian President Aleksandar Vučic to finally stand in the way of criminals and stand up for the law

“We are on the barricades 24/7. Our lives are already in danger and we are under constant pressure. We are forced to create barricades in order to protect our villages,” the press release reads.

The alliance has called on Serbian President Aleksandar Vučic to finally stand in the way of criminals and stand up for the law, as well as to carry out his plan to conserve the Serbian countryside.

“Does gaining personal wealth justify the destruction of the most beautiful Serbian villages, rivers, mountain streams, and forests in prime conservation areas?,” the alliance asked.

The alliance also warned that in all these locations there are strictly protected species, which may disappear permanently, as was the case with those in the Jošanica River, which has been documented by scientists.