Bern Convention

Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats

This complaint was submitted by the NGO Ecosphere and concerns the inadequate management of the Teresva River basin in the Ukrainian Carpathians. The complaint alleges that planned and existing hydropower development is damaging the habitat necessary for the feeding and spawning of species protected by the Bern Convention.

Part of the Emerald network site Skhidnyi Svydovets, the Teresva River is home to many species of migratory fish and a sustainable population of Hucho hucho able to replenish itself across generations through natural reproduction. It hosts 12 species of the IUCN Red Data Book and 8 species listed under the Bern Convention. Four small hydroelectric power plants have already been built on its tributaries, with the construction of two additional plants planned.

According to the complainants, the construction of dams will segment the river, slow the flow of the water current and radically change the hydrological regime. While fish passages are installed in the hydropower plants’ structure, they are, in the majority of cases, not functional.

The construction of the two additional hydroelectric power plants has given rise to a national lawsuit, initiated by local communities due to concerns about flooding of their houses due to the dams. In response, a lawsuit was initiated by the developer against the village council for opposing the works.

 Key Timeline

• 2025 - Case registration

 Other countries possibly concerned

• N/A

 Other international organisations involved

• N/A

 Documents

Complaint form

Regular reports to the Bureau and/or Standing Committee

Please note that all reports received by a Party during one calendar year are included in one single report for that year. Some older reports are not available in digital form.

Other information / documents