River in focus: Komarnica River

Country: Montenegro

Local partner: CDE Montenegrin Ecologists Society

Project goal: The Save Komarnica campaign seeks to stop the construction of the Komarnica hydropower plant and secure lasting protection for the river and canyon by including it within Durmitor National Park and attaining UNESCO World Heritage recognition.

Background 

Tucked between Montenegro’s Durmitor and Vojnik mountains, the wild Komarnica River winds through one of Europe’s last great untouched canyons. Its crystalline waters, steep limestone walls, and ancient forests form a rare ecosystem supporting endemic fish, rich plant life, and spectacular geological formations. The Komarnica Canyon is part of a wider network of protected landscapes that still embody Europe’s wild mountain rivers—untamed, biodiverse, and vital to local communities and traditions. This living landscape represents not only a natural treasure for Montenegro but also a symbol of what remains to be protected across the Balkans.

Ongoing threats

Despite its ecological and cultural importance, the Komarnica River faces a serious threat from plans to construct a large hydropower plant in the heart of the canyon. The proposed “Komarnica” dam would flood more than 15 kilometres of the river valley, submerging habitats, archaeological sites, and traditional lands. The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process has been marked by procedural irregularities, long delays, and incomplete studies that fail to account for the project’s full environmental damage. With costs soaring and the dam expected to provide less than 2% of Montenegro’s energy needs, the project raises serious concerns about transparency, governance, and long-term sustainability. If built, it would destroy a pristine ecosystem and undermine Montenegro’s environmental commitments on its EU accession path.

How we are taking action

Save Komarnica movement is a grassroots initiative dedicated to protecting the pristine Komarnica Canyon from the construction of a proposed large hydropower plant. It brings together diverse voices—scientists, environmentalists, locals, and outdoor enthusiasts—united by a shared goal: to preserve the canyon's unique ecosystems, cultural heritage, and breathtaking natural beauty for future generations.

Together with national and international partners, the Blue Heart team, alongside the CDE Montenegrin Ecologists Society, is working to protect Komarnica Canyon from hydropower development. Our efforts include:

• Promoting transparent environmental decision-making and accountability from Montenegro’s Environmental Protection Agency and advocating for the cancellation of the Komarnica hydropower project.
• Raising awareness nationally and internationally about the irreplaceable natural value of Komarnica and the risks of large-scale hydropower.
• Documenting the canyon’s unique biodiversity, local livelihoods, and natural beauty to strengthen the case for permanent protection.