KDI publishes alarming photos: Kosovo's rivers covered in plastic waste and animal waste

The Kosovo Democratic Institute (KDI) has raised the alarm about the worrying state of the country's rivers, publishing several photographs documenting the severe pollution that is threatening the environment.

According to KDI, many of the rivers in Kosovo have been transformed into open dumps of plastic waste and, in some cases, even animal waste.

"This is the situation of most of Kosovo's rivers, which have been transformed into landfills for plastic waste, and worse, for animal waste," reads the announcement published on KDI's official Facebook page.

The photographs were taken just a few days ago by engaged citizens, local non-governmental organizations and well-known environmental activist Arian Mavriqi. According to KDI, the most affected areas include the municipalities of Kamenica, Lipjan, Istog, Peja and Mitrovica.

The institute has announced that the relevant municipalities have already been notified of these serious environmental violations, requesting immediate and concrete action from local authorities to address the identified problems.

"These are not just disturbing images – they are evidence of an environmental crisis unfolding before our eyes. We expect immediate institutional response," the statement further said.

KDI has appealed for citizen awareness and strengthening the role of environmental inspectorates, as well as for the drafting of sustainable strategies for the cleaning and protection of the country's water resources.

Activist Arian Mavriqi, who has documented this situation through his photographs, has stated that this situation requires immediate intervention, not only from the local government, but also from the central level and the international community.

At a time when Kosovo faces major environmental challenges, this alarm from KDI and local activists comes as an urgent call to stop the degradation of nature and restore institutional care for rivers, which are vital resources for the ecosystem and public health. /Telegraph/