Balkan wild rivers in steady decline

BELGRADE, Jan 21 (AFP): Thousands of kilometres of Balkan rivers have been damaged in recent years, a study published Wednesday found, as hydropower development, dams and sediment extraction drive a "steady erosion" of some of Europe's last pristine waterways.

The Balkans are home to some of Europe's cleanest and wildest rivers, crucial to the continent's biodiversity. But a surge in infrastructure projects increasingly threatens them, said the study published by NGOs Riverwatch and EuroNatur.

A wild river is one untouched by industry or dams.