Environmental activists are launching new blockades on Kožuv Mountain in an effort to prevent the construction of the Barov Dol and Paprad small hydropower plants on the Došnica River.
Citizens’ initiatives from North Macedonia’s Southeast region have called on people to join them on the mountain road, which was also blocked for almost three months last year. The new blockades will begin today and are planned to continue until the end of the year. The initiatives have already notified the Ministry of Interior.
They have also contacted the relevant institutions and asked that an expert body composed of university professors be given time to prepare an analysis of the risks to wildlife in the river and the surrounding environment before construction work on the energy facilities begins.
The citizens are also advocating for Kožuv to be declared a national park as one way of protecting the mountain from this and similar infrastructure projects.
“We received information that the permits for the construction of small hydropower plants on Došnica have been issued, even though three years ago we clearly said that we would not allow the river to be destroyed, and we still stand by that position. That is why we are appealing to all citizens to help us, to join us at the blockades in defence of Kožuv, or to donate food and fuel,” said Marina Tomova from the Changemakers4all initiative.
She said environmental organizations from the Southeast region had reached an agreement under which the municipalities of Kavadarci, Demir Kapija and Gevgelija would finance studies to be prepared by 13 experts. The studies are expected to determine whether endemic or endangered animal and plant species in the Došnica River and its surroundings could be put at risk.
According to Tomova, these studies have not yet been completed and are expected to be conducted over the next two years.
Environmental activists once again stressed their position that small hydropower plants destroy nature, dry up rivers and eradicate wildlife while providing almost no economic benefit.
“After 80 days of blockades and a clear message that nobody here wants small hydropower plants, there are still attempts to turn one of the cleanest rivers in Macedonia into a desert. The main question is why Kožuv has still not been declared a national park. Is it because the government and a handful of individuals have decided to sell nature that does not belong to them at the expense of everyone else’s lives?” said the Green People’s Guard initiative.
In June, the “Dialogue for the Future of Kožuv” forum, organized by the Center for Climate Change, was held in Gevgelija. Participants concluded that field research into biodiversity and landscape characteristics, including the area’s socio-economic aspects, is necessary in the coming period in order to determine the natural values of Kožuv Mountain and the appropriate level of protection.
“The mountain is characterized by diverse terrain, significant geological and geomorphological features, a well-developed hydrographic network and exceptionally rich biodiversity. Its territory includes karst and glacial formations, paleovolcanic phenomena, numerous springs and watercourses, as well as valuable forest and mountain ecosystems. Its rich plant and animal life is of particular importance. Kožuv is home to several endemic and rare species, including the Alshar violet (Viola allchariensis), Arsen’s violet (Viola arsenica), Alshar thyme (Thymus alsarensis), Kavadarci knapweed (Centaurea kavadarensis) and other species with a limited distribution and high scientific value,” the Center for Climate Change said.
The organization added that the area forms part of the Emerald Network under the Bern Convention and has also been identified as an important area for birds, plants and butterflies.
Earlier, in January, the government adopted a decision giving the investor in the two small hydropower plants the green light for an extension of its concession.
“The government reviewed the Information containing data on all submitted requests for extensions of the deadlines for construction and the start of commercial operation of small hydropower plants on the basis of an established delay, where the delay was not caused by the concessionaire, and adopted the following conclusions: The Minister of Environment and Physical Planning is authorized, on behalf of the government and following a proposal submitted by the Commission for Continuous and Regular Supervision of the Performance of Concession Activities, to conclude annexes to concession agreements for the use of water for electricity generation by small hydropower plants, in cases of established delays not caused by the concessionaire, extending the deadlines for construction and the start of commercial operation.
“This also applies to the concession agreement for the use of water for electricity generation by the Barov Dol and Paprad small hydropower plants, No. 02-2794/1 of 5 April 2022, held by the concessionaire Hydro Došnica DOO Skopje,” the minutes of the government session state.
