On Earth Day, famous actor Leonardo DiCaprio praised activists from Bosnia and Herzegovina as one of the groups from around the world who have fearlessly fought for the preservation and protection of rivers, forests and an unpolluted environment.

“Europe’s western Balkans is filled with incredible wildlife and beautiful rivers. It’s known as the Blue Heart of Europe”, DiCaprio posted on Instagram, adding that Lejla Kusturica, director of ACT Foundation, works with communities, activists and artists from across the Balkans to keep the region’s rivers wild.

“Activists in Bosnia and Herzegovina have organized protests, sometimes lasting hundreds of days, to protect their local rivers from small hydropower dams. Thanks to the efforts of activists, in 2021 Bosnia and Herzegovina stopped guaranteeing subsidies for small hydropower dams, which divert water, and can restrict water access and threaten wildlife,” he wrote.

DiCaprio noted that “Balkan rivers, including those in Bosnia and Herzegovina, are considered the most important hotspot for threatened freshwater biodiversity in Europe. There are 113 Endangered freshwater fish species in the region and 69 fish species that only live in Balkan rivers.”