A Hidden Gem in Southeastern Europe

Nestled deep in the heart of southeastern Europe lies a wild river known to few. What this waterway may lack in renown, however, it makes up for in sheer richness of life. Its cool, crystal waters flow beneath lush beech forests, cascading through limestone gorges and coiling their way through eddies.

The Komarnica River in Montenegro remains one of Europe’s last free-flowing rivers. It survives as a vestige of the wilderness which once stretched across the continent, but now survives only in isolated, dwindling pockets.

Komarnica flows as a testament to both the wild that once was, and the wild that still can be.

Hydropower Development: A Threat to Biodiversity

Such wilderness is not a given, though. Hydropower development threatens to destroy the Komarnica’s delicate ecosystems; a large (172 MW) hydropower plant is planned for the Komarnica Canyon, under the direction of Elektroprivreda Crne Gore, a Montenegrin energy company.

The project promises to provide jobs and power security for surrounding villages. In reality, these villages would be irreversibly impacted, with disturbance from several years of construction damaging tourism enterprises and a flooded canyon providing minimal attraction for eco tourists. Moreover, the planned return for power generated is minimal in comparison to the estimated construction cost of the plant.

The hydropower plant would create a reservoir, flooding the Komarnica Canyon and downing the plant, invertebrate and aquatic life which have existed since the Pleistocene or even longer. Many of these species are endemic, existing nowhere but this one canyon. If they are lost, it is a part of our natural history lost forever.

The Expedition to Document Komarnica’s Unique Species

An expedition to document some of the Komarnica’s exquisite species is planned for 2025. This will not only provide new knowledge for the scientific community but also help quantify what could be lost if the project goes ahead.

The expedition is in the hands of Taxon Expeditions, an initiative that organizes real scientific expeditions for everybody. “On this trip, we will be identifying unique species which are endemic to Komarnica and will go extinct if the hydropower plans go ahead,” says Iva Njunjić, expedition leader and director of Taxon Expeditions.

“The great thing about this expedition is that everybody can join and work with our biodiversity experts to document the area’s incredible biodiversity,” she says.

This expedition is close to the heart for Iva, who grew up in the area. Iva and the other experts leading this expedition hope to not only bring to light some of the unique biodiversity found in the Komarnica, but also to contribute to the fight to preserve nature at a local and global scale.

It was partly inspired by Jelena Popović, founder of the NGO Spasimo Komarnicu (Save Komarnica), a grassroots movement dedicated to preserving free-flowing waters and ecosystems of the river.

“Komarnica is not only a biodiversity-rich hotspot,” says Jelena, “but also one of the last untouched canyons in Europe; not only a home to wildlife, but a safe place for ecological communities to persist and thrive.

“Our whole planet has been touched and influenced by humans. There are no roads leading down to Komarnica; It is so rare in Europe to be able to go by foot into a canyon, and to experience true wilderness and feel the balance of thriving nature. Preserving this canyon means preserving the safety of a natural treasure, the cradle of life.”

This incredible expedition is open to guests who would like to participate in professional scientific exploration in a breathtaking setting. Set against the backdrop of some of Europe’s last untouched wilderness, the expedition promises to leave you with memories to last a lifetime.

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Author: Katy Ellis an ecological writer focused on telling stories connecting people and nature. In 2022, she traveled to Montenegro to learn more about the fight to save Komarnica. She is greatly indebted to everyone who gave their time to talk with her; Milica, Kirsi, Bato, Jelena and Dejan to name a few.

You can read more about the Komarnica River here and a longer narrative of her time in Montenegro: https://www.consciexeter.org/post/saving-the-unseen-the-battle-against-hydropower-on-the-komarnica

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