On September 26, to mark World Rivers Day, we organized a kayaking event on the Zeta River.
The goal of the event was to highlight once again the historical connection between humans and nature, the essential right to clean, drinkable water, and to recognise the river as a living entity that deserves the right to life, just like us.
Participants paddled and swam along the Zeta, passing through forests of poplar, ash, willow, and oak. For some, it was their first encounter with the unique living world of this river.
Along the route from the village of Frutak to the center of Danilovgrad, we spotted grey herons, common kingfishers, river crayfish, freshwater mussels, and medicinal leeches. Participants had the opportunity to record all plant and animal species into the iNaturalist database, contributing to broader public awareness about the biodiversity of this river.
About 30 citizens took part in the kayaking event, enjoying the enchanting ambiance of the Zeta, but also witnessing the unusual emptiness — the absence of wildlife in this river, which was officially declared a nature park in 2019.
In several sections of the river, the aquatic animals found were not alive. Knowing their biology, it is clear that they did not die from natural causes. Unlike the stretch from Spuž to Rogami, where the situation is alarming, this part of the river has fewer visible pressures from wastewater discharges. However, we encountered several dead adult individuals from various animal groups — from freshwater crayfish to fish — indicating harmful electric fishing. According to locals, this is one of the greatest pressures on the living world of the Zeta River, which continues to thrive despite recent protection.
Citizens confirmed the magical potential of the Zeta for ecotourism, while experienced kayakers, comparing the Zeta to other similar water bodies in Montenegro, expressed concern and sadness about the very low level of protection for this blue-green treasure of Montenegro.
The kayaking event was organized in cooperation with NGOs Nikta, Mali Alpinistički Klub (Small Mountaineering Club), the citizen group Stop kolektoru from the Danilovgrad Center, Wild Adventure/Divlja Avantura Podgorica, and Visit Danilovgrad NGO.
This event is a local branch and contribution to the global Home River Bioblitz event, which encourages citizens to participate in studying the biodiversity of their local areas, held worldwide since 1996.
