19 June 2026
The report “Degradation of Riverbeds 2018–2024” is an assessment conducted by the Kosovo Environmental Protection Agency, with the main objective of assessing the environmental condition of rivers through the identification and analysis of changes that occurred in their riverbeds during the period 2018–2024, focusing on determining the dynamics of degradation and the intensity of interventions over time. This report aims to provide a clear and evidence-based overview of changes in the condition of rivers by comparing the initial state with subsequent developments and identifying areas where degradation has reached critical levels.
This assessment also aims to determine the spatial extent of degraded areas and identify the river sections most affected by the exploitation of inert materials, by analysing the impact of these activities on changes to the natural configuration of riverbeds, bank destabilisation, and disruption of the natural flow regime. At the same time, the report addresses the negative impacts on the biological and landscape components of river ecosystems, including habitat damage, biodiversity loss, and the degradation of the natural and aesthetic values of these areas.
An important dimension of the report is the assessment of measures undertaken by the responsible institutions during the 2018–2024 period to implement the relevant legislation, including laws, regulations, and administrative instructions governing the use of water resources and environmental protection, as well as the effectiveness of these measures in preventing degradation. The report also aims to contribute to guiding public policies and institutional decision-making towards an integrated model that ensures the long-term protection of water resources and their preservation as a natural asset for future generations.
The main findings of the report show that the total degraded river area increased from 1,762.71 ha in 2018 to 2,059.96 ha in 2024, representing an increase of 297.25 ha, or approximately 16.9%. River degradation has been mainly caused by the uncontrolled exploitation of sand and gravel by legal and illegal operators, as well as the lack of effective enforcement of environmental legislation. The White Drin River is identified as the most degraded river in Kosovo, with a significant increase in degraded areas and a pronounced impact on the morphological structure of the riverbed.
For more information, see the report Degradation of Riverbeds 2018–2024.