Bosnia and Herzegovina's authorities have decided to suspend the issuance of licences for the construction of small hydroelectric power plants following a number of campaigns launched by domestic and international environmental groups.

The decision, taken on Thursday by the government of the country's Bosniak-Croat Federation entity, will not apply to projects already underway or those for which licences have been issued. The government will amend the law to stop the construction of new mini-hydro electric power plants following the adoption of a declaration on the protection of rivers.

In the last few years, citizens have prevented the construction of mini-hydro electric power plants on several small rivers. They were supported by US Oscar-winning actor Leonardo DiCaprio, who wrote twice to the prime minister of the Federation, Fadil Novalic, asking him to stop the implementation of energy projects and save the rivers.