Croatia and Hungary to protect rivers

Croatia and Hungary have agreed to establish e a trans-boundary UNESCO Biosphere Reserve to protect a 500km stretch of the Mura, Drava and Danube rivers, covering some 630,000 hectares. The project has been acknowledged with an award from WWF. The area is home to the highest density of breeding pairs of the white-tailed eagle in Europe and endangered species such as the little tern, black stork, otters and sturgeons. It’s also an important stepping stone for more than 250,000 migratory waterbirds every year. The river ecosystem is also essential for people of the area as it is a major source of drinking water, and provides natural flood protection, sustainable forestry, agriculture, fisheries and eco-tourism.