The Government of the Herzegovina-Neretva Canton (HNK) revoked a previously issued concession permit for the construction of two mini hydroelectric plants on the Neretva River on Wednesday, ending a decade-long battle to preserve the unique natural phenomenon of the river's channels and preventing the disruption of local flora and fauna.

At the confluence of the Buna and Neretva rivers, south of Mostar, tufa waterfalls and a series of channels spanning 850 meters, known as the Buna Channels, have formed over millennia through natural processes. This phenomenon, which is particularly noticeable during periods of low water levels in the Neretva, holds exceptional scientific significance and potential for various research fields. The Buna Channels also represent a significant natural tourist attraction.

A decade ago, the Government of the Herzegovina-Neretva Canton granted a concession for the construction of two mini hydroelectric plants, ‘Buna 1’ and ‘Buna 2,’ at this location.

Since then, numerous environmental associations from Mostar have protested, fighting since 2014 to protect the Buna Channels as a designated natural monument. They received support from various associations in Bosnia and Herzegovina and neighboring countries, renowned international activists, and opposition politicians in Mostar and Herzegovina.

These groups warned that constructing the mini hydroelectric plants would destroy the natural phenomenon of the channels and harm the plant and animal life in the Neretva River Valley.

This activist and legal battle concluded on Wednesday when the Government of the Herzegovina-Neretva Canton revoked the concession permit for building this hydroelectric facility.

In the meantime, the authorities in Mostar also removed the two mini hydroelectric plants from their Spatial Plan.