UNA SCIENCE WEEK, BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA, JUNE 2026
©Vera Knook
Flowing through northern Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Una River is renowned for its crystal-clear turquoise water and its many islands, both large and small, some barely bigger than a single tree rising from the river. Another defining feature of the Una is its abundance of travertine waterfalls, cascades where mineral-rich water deposits limestone to build living, ever-growing terraces. The most famous, Štrbački buk, is a breathtaking 20-meter-high cascade draped in moss. Downstream, the river runs through high gorges with beautiful whitewater and is accessible only by boat.
©Josh David Lim
©Josh David Lim
Here, floodplain forests thrive along the banks, supporting rich biodiversity. However, this healthy river is under threat. Its protection status is fragmented and often ignored. As the gorge widens, the banks become more accessible, and large numbers of illegal vacation homes are being built directly along the river at an alarming pace. Uncontrolled development straightens the river and replaces floodplain forests, vital habitat for birds, fish, and many other species, with housing.
An initiative to spotlight the issue and advance protection took place in early June 2026: the Una Science Week. Accompanied by NGO partners and media crews, more than 70 scientists gathered not only to collect and analyze data but also to serve as independent advocates for the river.
«This healthy river is under threat. Its protection status is fragmented and often ignored. »
Among them were two passionate kayakers and river defenders, Vera Knook and Martin Dalvai Ragnoli. While Vera joined a team of socio-ecologists investigating how different stakeholders interact with the river to advance the protection of the entire system, Martin used his whitewater skills to collect samples along 200 kilometers of the river, assessing its health and identifying sources of pollution.
Together with the work of their colleagues, their findings highlight the Una River network’s rich biodiversity, identify urgent environmental threats, and help lay the groundwork for a long-term, basin-wide protection plan.
Words: Martin Dalvai Ragnoli
©Josh David Lim
