http://www.croatia.org/crown en-us http://www.croatia.org/crown N/A nenad@nenadbach.com Mon, 06 Oct 2008 17:52:11 -0700 20 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/9560/1/The-town-of-Lipik-in-past-and-present-described-on-YouTube.html The town of Lipik is described by a series of very interesting and important films, all of them available via YouTube. Especially important are testimonies and endevours of Mark Cook from the early 1990s. ipuscenik@yahoo.com (Ivan Pu¹æenik) Tue, 10 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/9556/1/Nenad-Bach-on-Global-Broadcast-for-Supreme-Master-TV-June-1-2008.html Nenad Bach’s interview is scheduled to air on Sunday, June 1, 2008 on  "A Journey through Aesthetic Realms" on Supreme Master TV.  Broadcasting on 14 satellite platforms across the globe plus World Wide Webcast. translated in 15 languages. See inside for the exact time of the broadcast and webcast. stecak@sbcglobal.net (Marko Puljiæ) Sat, 24 May 2008 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/9502/1/How-to-build--low-impact-house-now-in-Croatian-by-Simon-Dale.html Simon Dale built a low impact woodland home in Wales. The house was built with a maximum regard for the environment, with few tools, help and cash. He has translated the entire procedure into Croatian and is available in .pdf format for those wanting to build their own low impact homes in Croatia or elsewhere. robert@accordcase.com (Robert Schenk) Thu, 06 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0800 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/9419/1/Organic-agriculture-in-Croatia.html Processors and traders from Western and Eastern Europe are increasingly looking for organic raw materials abroad. Croatia - an official candidate for EU membership since June 2004 - is considered a potential supplier of organic raw material in the medium term. In 2006, 5,000 hectares in total were being organically managed by 340 registered farms. nenad@nenadbach.com (Nenad N. Bach) Sat, 05 Jan 2008 00:00:00 -0800 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/9416/1/Croatia-seizes-Italian-trawler-for-illegal-fishing.html Croatia's navy seized an Italian trawler in Croatian territorial waters on Thursday, in the first such incident since Zagreb enforced a protected fishing zone in the Adriatic despite opposition from the European Union. c.mateo@verizon.net (Martin Cvjetkoviæ) Thu, 03 Jan 2008 00:00:00 -0800 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/9415/1/Croatia-Activates-Protected-Ecology-and-Fishery-Zone.html With the first seconds of 2008, the Protected Ecology and Fishery Zone went into force, and Croatia got a seat at the United Nations Security Council. nenad@nenadbach.com (Nenad N. Bach) Wed, 02 Jan 2008 00:00:00 -0800 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/9332/1/Touristic--Ecological-Estate-quotPustara-Vinjicaquot-ready-for-you.html Our goal is to create a new tourist destination by uniting the oldest economy - agriculture with the youngest - tourism. The revival of Pustara Vi¹njica on tradition of former agricultural estate and implementation of ecology, agriculture and tourism is based on symbiosis of hotel and agricultural activity; horse-breeding; fallow-deer breeding; ecological production of sweet potato and other vegetables vladom@xnet.hr (Vladimir Mihajloviæ) Sun, 04 Nov 2007 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/9324/1/Croatia-would-be-able-to-supply-raw-organic-products-to-the-EU.html Croatia would be able to supply raw organic products to the EU, but more organic products are imported than exported at this point of time. This could change in the future, but structural changes, a better ecological expertise and investments from abroad would be required. stecak@sbcglobal.net (Marko Puljiæ) Wed, 31 Oct 2007 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/9303/1/66-out-of-300-Croatian-Lipizzan-horses-returned-home.html 66 Lipizzan horses stolen from the Lipik Stud during the Serbian aggression on Croatia in 1991 has been returned. This is a part of about 300 Croatian Lipizzans kept in Serbia, belonging to the Lipik Stud, counting progeny. A part of them starved from hunger and inappropriate treatment. ipuscenik@yahoo.com (Ivan Pu¹æenik) Mon, 15 Oct 2007 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/9289/1/Opportunity-for-Croatian-Talent---RechargeIT-Request-for-Investment.html   Earlier this summer, Google.org launched its RechargeIT Initiative to accelerate the adoption of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and vehicle-to-grid technology through technical demonstrations, grant-making, advocacy and investments.   nenad@nenadbach.com (Nenad N. Bach) Fri, 05 Oct 2007 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/9288/1/Making-an-electrifying-difference-to-climate-change.html   Wattwatt.com is a social network website that brings together people interested in making a difference. It provides the means for more direct public involvement in helping identify priorities and in finding the solutions  for increasing electrical energy efficiency. nenad@nenadbach.com (Nenad N. Bach) Fri, 05 Oct 2007 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/9266/1/Ante-Simonic-at-the-Universal-Peace-Federation-2007-in-New-York.html   Providing Vision and Leadership at a Time of Global Crisis.  Feature presentations by a number of current and former heads of state, many of whom will be in New York for the United Nations' "Climate Change" conference letters@croatia.org (Nenad N. Bach) Thu, 20 Sep 2007 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/9255/1/Resurrection-of-the-Town-of-Lipik.html  A short information about the town of Lipik today: its Children's Home, Library, Italian minority, firemen, villas, Studenac mineral water, etc. darko_zubrinic@yahoo.com (Prof.Dr. Darko Zubrinic) Tue, 11 Sep 2007 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/9129/1/If-the-global-warming-continues--Croatia-Will-Become-Barren-Desert.html If global warming continues, Croatians will die of hunger and thirst by the end of the century.   nenad@nenadbach.com (Nenad N. Bach) Mon, 10 Sep 2007 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/9190/1/Honey-bees-hunt-for-landmines-in-Croatia.html   Honey bees buzz over Croatian meadows in an experimental hunt for explosives in an effort to clear away potentially deadly landmines. No field is ever 100% cleared, and that is why any method by which we could additionally increase security is priceless. letters@croatia.org (Nenad N. Bach) Tue, 07 Aug 2007 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/9181/1/Stolen-Croatian-Lipizzaner-horses-starving-in-Serbia.html   In October 1991, the largest Lipizzaner horse-farm in Croatia, situated near the town of Lipik, was bombed with napalm bombs. Out of 117 horses 27 of them were killed, and more than 80 taken away to Serbia, where they are also today. Believe it or not, the Serbs are trying to SELL stolen Croatian Lipizzaners to Croatia! From reliable sources we know that some of them have been already sold in Italy. letters@croatia.org (Nenad N. Bach) Fri, 03 Aug 2007 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/9149/1/Children-play-with-a-dolphin-in-the-sea-off-the-Adriatic-coast-of-Croatia.html Children play with a dolphin in the sea off the Adriatic coastal town of Krilo Jesenice, Croatia. The baby dolphin was separated from his mother but later rescued when the school of dolphins returned to collect it   letters@croatia.org (Nenad N. Bach) Sun, 22 Jul 2007 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/9123/1/Live-Earth-will-bring-2-billion-people-together-Saturday-7--7--7-July-7th-2007.html   Live Earth is a 24-hour, 7-continent concert series taking place on 7/7/07 that will bring together more than 100 music artists and 2 billion people to trigger a global movement to solve the climate crisis. letters@croatia.org (Nenad N. Bach) Fri, 06 Jul 2007 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/9125/1/Hawaiian-Fishponds-in-the-Adriatic.html Could traditional Croatian suhozid or dry stone construction, used to create fences in rocky areas of Croatia be adapted for Hawaiian style fish ponds along the Adriatic?    stecak@sbcglobal.net (Marko Puljiæ) Thu, 05 Jul 2007 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/9107/1/The-vulture-man-of-Croatia.html  Goran Susic runs an operation that helps conserve a surprisingly large local population of griffen vultures, which have become a tourist attraction, since he set up his centre in 1993. nenad@nenadbach.com (Nenad N. Bach) Thu, 28 Jun 2007 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/9104/1/Thinking-now-for-the-7th-Generation.html    stecak@sbcglobal.net (Marko Puljiæ) Thu, 28 Jun 2007 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/9103/1/Velebit-Trekking---2007.html  A 5th edition of the Velebit Ultra Trail - a two days non-stop ultra trail race for the individuals will take competitors through the Croatian mythical mountain - Velebit. nenad@nenadbach.com (Nenad N. Bach) Wed, 27 Jun 2007 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/9101/1/Help-harness-renewable-energy-from-waves-and-tides.html IEC, the global body for electrical energy standards, is now recruiting experts from around the world to develop international standards for wave and tidal energy technology.   nenad@nenadbach.com (Nenad N. Bach) Wed, 27 Jun 2007 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/9095/1/Putin-in-Croatia---A-confirmation-of-Croatias-international-authority.html   Russian President Vladimir Putin has arrived in the Croatian capital city of Zagreb to attend the Southeast European country's Energy Summit. nenad@nenadbach.com (Nenad N. Bach) Sun, 24 Jun 2007 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/9094/1/Green-Action-Against-Russian-Oil-in-the-Adriatic.html Green Action thinks Croatia should not allow Russian oil to be transported through the Adriatic and ought to invest in renewable sources.   nenad@nenadbach.com (Nenad N. Bach) Sun, 24 Jun 2007 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/9070/1/Suddenly-the-bees-are-simply-vanishing.html  The puzzling phenomenon, known as Colony Collapse Disorder, or CCD, has been reported in 35 states, five Canadian provinces and several European countries. nenad@nenadbach.com (Nenad N. Bach) Tue, 12 Jun 2007 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/9061/1/Neugodna-istina-na-DVD-u.html  Bit æe skoro propast svijeta. Neka, neka, no Al Goreu ipak smeta. Zato je i snimio hit dokumentarac o globalnom zagrijavanju, samo da nas sve trgne. nenad@nenadbach.com (Nenad N. Bach) Thu, 07 Jun 2007 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/9044/1/Strueni-skup-quotObnovljivi-izvori-energije-u-Republici-Hrvatskojquot.html  Zajednica obnovljivih izvora energije HGK organizira skup koji æe se odr¾ati od 27. do 30. svibnja u Osijeku. dentamete@vip.hr (Goran Nikola¹eviæ) Wed, 16 May 2007 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/9034/1/Croatia-Ratifies-Kyoto-Protocol.html  On Friday April 27th, Croatia's parliament ratified the Kyoto Protocol, which commits nations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to try to slow global warming. nenad@nenadbach.com (Nenad N. Bach) Sat, 28 Apr 2007 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/9031/1/New-power-generation-technologies-to-be-built-in-Croatia.html Siemens and the Israeli-US firm Ormat presented a joint proposal for building a geothermal power plant in Bjelovar, Croatia  nenad@nenadbach.com (Nenad N. Bach) Wed, 25 Apr 2007 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/8991/1/Help-me-collect-another-100000-signatures-for-the-Congressional-hearings-in-48-hours.html     AlGore@algore.com (Al Gore) Mon, 19 Mar 2007 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/8968/1/Transforming-Culture-from-Empire-to-Earth-community---Dubrovnik-June-3-9-2007.html     mirna@adriaticsunshine.com (Mirna Sugar) Fri, 02 Mar 2007 00:00:00 -0800 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/8967/1/Croatian-Tuna-for-Japan.html Croatian and Japanese fishermen collect tuna fish in the waters near the Adriatic coastal town of Zadar, Croatia. Japan is the world's biggest tuna consumer, eating one quarter of the global catch and fuelling a growing global industry, including Croatia.   nenad@nenadbach.com (Nenad N. Bach) Fri, 02 Mar 2007 00:00:00 -0800 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/8960/1/Free-energy-technology-will-be-made-widely-available.html   Steorn has today announced that its free energy technology will be made widely available to the development community immediately after the independent scientific validation process that is currently underway. peter@scheltus.nl (Peter Scheltus) Fri, 23 Feb 2007 00:00:00 -0800 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/8947/1/CROATIAN-PREMIERE-of-quotAn-Inconvenient-Truthquot.html   President Stjepan Mesic, as well as ambassadors of the United States, the Russian Federation, India and Japan, attended the Croatian premiere of former US President Al Gore's documentary film about global warming "An Inconvenient Truth", in Zagreb on 15 February 2007. letters@croatia.org (Nenad N. Bach) Sat, 17 Feb 2007 00:00:00 -0800 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/8939/1/Zagreb-Al-Gore---Neugodna-Istina---An-Inconvenient-truth----Premiera-15-Veljaee-2007.html    nenad.maljkovic@zg.t-com.hr (Nenad Maljkoviæ) Tue, 13 Feb 2007 00:00:00 -0800 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/8917/1/Terra-Incognita-Croatia-2007.html   Terra Incognita is an Expedition Adventure Race that covers over 400 km through Croatia - one of the most beautiful and diverse landscapes on the European Continent. letters@croatia.org (Nenad N. Bach) Tue, 30 Jan 2007 00:00:00 -0800 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/8844/1/The-dead-sexy-Tesla-delivers-on-its-promise-100--Electric-car-No-more-excuses.html     c.mateo@verizon.net (Martin Cvjetkoviæ) Thu, 30 Nov 2006 00:00:00 -0800 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/8806/1/Kiwi-u-Slavoniji.html     dentamete@vip.hr (Goran Nikola¹eviæ) Thu, 23 Nov 2006 00:00:00 -0800 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/8807/1/Tesla-Motors---Electric-Car.html    With the Tesla Roadster, you get great acceleration and the highest energy efficiency at the same time. All while requiring no special driving skills to enjoy it. This makes the Tesla Roadster six times as efficient as the best sports cars while producing one-tenth of the pollution.   c.mateo@verizon.net (Martin Cvjetkoviæ) Sun, 12 Nov 2006 00:00:00 -0800 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/8810/1/Plitvice-Lakes-National-Park-Croatia.html In Croatia's rugged interior, a stone's throw from the Bosnian border, hides one of Europe's most exotic hikes: through Plitvice (PLEET-veet-seh) Lakes National Park. There's nothing like this lush valley of 16 terraced lakes, laced together by waterfalls and miles of pleasant plank walks. Years ago, after a dozen or so visits, I thought I really knew Europe. Then I discovered Plitvice, and realized you can never exhaust Europe of its surprises.   letters@croatia.org (Nenad N. Bach) Fri, 10 Nov 2006 00:00:00 -0800 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/8770/1/Truffle-fever-hits-Croatias-Istria-peninsula---for-their-supposed-aphrodisiac-effect.html   MOTOVUN WOODS, Croatia - It's 5:00 am and dawn is still far off, but Keti and Bela are already at work and don't seem to mind the cold autumn mist shrouding the Motovun woods in the heart of the Istria peninsula. letters@croatia.org (Nenad N. Bach) Fri, 03 Nov 2006 00:00:00 -0800 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/8766/1/Potres-u-Zagrebu---Earthquake-in-Zagreb-Croatia.html Potres u Zagrebu - Earthquake in Zagreb 10.28.06 at 4: 15 PM. 28 listopad 2006 u 16:15 3.7 on a Richter scale. 5.0 on a Mercalli scale. Ivobach2@aol.com (Ivo Bach) Sat, 28 Oct 2006 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/8748/1/New-marine-protected-area-for-Croatia.html   The newly created Lastovo Nature Park, off the south-east coast of Croatia, covers an area of some 200km², of which around 60km² is land surface consisting of 44 islands. letters@croatia.org (Nenad N. Bach) Sat, 21 Oct 2006 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/8742/1/Zagreb-Animal-rights-activists.html   Animal rights activists are wrapped up to look like pre-packaged meat during a protest in downtown Zagreb October 2, 2006 dalmatinac99@vip.hr (Ante Katalinic) Sun, 08 Oct 2006 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/8601/1/E-Croatia-launched-production-of-biodiesel.html  Croatia launched as of Monday production of biodiesel. Production of the Croatian biodiesel began in the private industrial complex located in Ozalj, which has capacity of 30.000 tons on a yearly basis. The initial quantities are intended for export in Austria and Italy, and to be introduced in the public transportation of the city of Zagreb too.   letters@croatia.org (Nenad N. Bach) Mon, 07 Aug 2006 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/6040/1/H-Danas-pocinje-proizvodnja-biodizela-u-Ozlju.html  Danas počinje proizvodnja biodizela u Ozlju HRVATSKA KASNI U OKRETANJU ALTERNATIVNIM GORIVIMA STO GA NAMEĆE SKUPA NAFTA   Vlado Rozić, vlasnik pogona kapaciteta 30.000 tona, kaze da će se gorivo izvoziti u Austriju i Italiju, a sličan pogon planira se i u Sisačkoj zupaniji Rekordne cijene nafte i mračna perspektiva za postojeće izvore goriva sve vise nameću potrebu okretanja alternativnim gorivima. Europska regulativa nalaze da zemlje članice EU do 2020. godine trebaju 20 posto tradicionlanih fosilnih goriva u prometu zamijeniti biogorivima poput biodizela, bioetanola, bioplina, biovodika, a to je obveza i za zemlje kandidate za prijam u EU, među kojima je i Hrvatska. Od uljarica i masti Do 2005. biogorivo u EU trebalo je sudjelovati s barem dva posto u ukupnom udjelu goriva, a zatim bi se udio u svakoj članici povećavao i do 2010. godine dosegnuo 5,75 posto. Vladinom Uredbom o kakvoći biogoriva i Hrvatska je postavila cilj da do kraja 2010. rabi 5,75 posto biogoriva u ukupnoj potrosnji goriva. Iako se već duze vrijeme u poslovnoj javnosti govori o uporabi biodizela, u Hrvatskoj je za sada samo jedan pogon za proizvodnju biodizela, i to u Ozlju, kapaciteta 30.000 tona. Vlasnik pogona Vlado Rozić izjavio je za agenciju Hinu da bi danas trebala početi proizvodnja te da će se proizvedeni biodizel izvoziti u Austriju i Italiju. Biodizel se dobiva od otpadnoga jestivog ulja, dobivenog od uljarica (uljane repice, soje, suncokreta, kukuruza, palme) i od zivotinjskih masti. Posebno je vazno sto se dobiva od otpadnih jestivih ulja koja nastaju u pripremi hrane u hotelima, ugostiteljstvu i kućanstvima. Ta ulja inače zavrsavaju u kanalizaciji, a njihovim primjerenim skupljanjem uvelike bi se ustedjelo na pročisćavanju otpadnih voda. Biogorivo zamjenjuje fosilna goriva i tako znatno smanjuje nastanak stakleničkog plina ugljičnog dioksida, ali i drugih onečisćivača poput sumpornog dioksida, čestica i hlapivih organskih spojeva koji onečisćuju zrak. Zagrebačka tvrtka Ekonerg - Institut za energetiku i zastitu okolisa već neko vrijeme provodi projekt "Uvođenje biodizela u javni gradski prijevoz grada Zagreba". Studija izvodljivosti trebala bi biti zavrsena potkraj ovog mjeseca, a trenutno je revidiraju austrijski stručnjaci, kako je nedavno objasnila voditeljica projekta Snjezana Fijan-Parlov. Istrazivanja pokazuju da Zagreb na godinu "proizvede" vise od 1,400.000 litara otpadnoga jestivog ulja samo iz hotela, restorana i ostalih poslovnih subjekata te oko 1,600.000 iz kućanstava. Količina biodizela proizvedena od toga otpadnog jestivog ulja dostatna je za voznju 80 gradskih autobusa cijele godine. Neobrađena zemlja Potporu biodizelu daje i politika, pa tako zamjenica sisačke zupanice Marijana Petir (HSS) kaze da je proizvodnja biodizela bila sastavni dio predizbornog programa HSS-a koji je prihvatila i koalicija u toj zupaniji. Dok se ne izgradi pogon u Sisačko-moslavačkoj zupaniji, sva bi ulja, od uljane repice i otpadna jestiva ulja, otkupljivao vlasnik pogona u Ozlju, dodala je, podsjetivsi da je u proljeće prosle godine sa Zagrebom dogovorena suradnja. Osim preradbe svojih otpadnih jestivih ulja, zupanija je spremna proizvoditi i uljanu repicu jer ima mnogo neobrađene zemlje. Obje sirovine obrađivale bi se u tvornici biodizela koju bi trebalo izgraditi na području Sisačke zupanije. Studija izvodljivosti i Studija utjecaja na okolis bit će presudne u odabiru lokacije u Sisačkoj zupaniji, a financirale bi se iz zupanijskog proračuna i Fonda za zastitu okolisa i energetsku učinkovitost, rekla je dozupanica Petir. To bi omogućilo zaposljavanje većeg broja ljudi i potaknulo razvoj poljoprivrede u zupaniji u kojoj je od 185.455 hektara obradive zemlje neobrađeno 72.268 hektara, odnosno oko 40 posto. Drzava proizvođačima isplaćuje 2250 kuna poticaja po hektaru za uzgoj uljane repice, ali, naglasava Petir, zupanija je spremna uvesti i dodatne poticaje. Za proizvodnju biodizela zainteresirane su IPK Tvornica ulja Čepin i Ina koje su prosle godine i potpisale sporazum.  Svi autobusi u Grazu na biodizel Ako bi projekt uvođenja biodizela u ZET bio prihvaćen, ostatak ulja potrebnog za biodizel dobivao bi se od uljane repice, a za njezin uzgoj velike su mogućnosti u Sisačko-moslavačkoj, Zagrebačkoj i ostalim zupanijama. Gradonačelnik Milan Bandić izjavio je da se čekaju rezultati studije pa će se tada odlučiti hoće li ZET-ovi autobusi prijeći na biodizel. Blagonaklono na alternativno gorivo gleda i direktor zagrebačkog Holdinga Slobodan Ljubičić koji kaze da podupire uvođenje biodizela. U Ekonergu objasnjavaju kako u austrijskom gradu Grazu svi autobusi javnog prijevoza, njih oko 140, voze na biodizel koji se počeo uvoditi 1994. godine.   Izvor:http://www.poslovni.hr/12748.aspx  nenad@nenadbach.com (Nenad N. Bach) Tue, 16 May 2006 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/6039/1/E-Bio-diesel-Production-Starts-in-Croatia.html  Croatia: Bio-diesel Production Starts 15:19 - 15 May 2006 - Countries of the European Union must replace by the year 2020 a total of 20 percent of traditional fuels with bio-fuels (bio-diesel, bio-ethanol, bio-gas, bio-hydrogen, etc.). This also represents an obligation for all EU candidates, including Croatia, 'CT' reports. By the year 2005, bio-fuels should have participated in EU with at least two percent in overall fuel sales, reaching in each member-state by the year 2010 as much as 5,75 percent. Croatian Government's Decree on quality of bio-fuels introduces liability for Croatia to introduce 5,75% of bio-fuel in overall consumption of fuel in Croatia by the end of 2010.  At this time, there is only one facility for production of bio-diesel in Croatia, located in Ozalj, with a capacity of 30.000 tonnes. The owner of this facility Vlado Rozic stated that production would be initiated on Monday, while manufactured bio-diesel would be exported to Austria and Italy. Zagreb-based company Ekonerg â€" Institute for Energy and Environment Protection is currently conducting a project dubbed "Introduction of bio-diesel in Zagreb public transportation", said head of this project Snjezana Fijan-Parlov. Feasibility study will be completed at the end of this month, when it would be revised by experts from Austria. Researches have shown that the city of Zagreb annually "produces" more than 1,400.000 litres of scrap edible oil in the city's hotels, restaurants and other facilities, along with 1,600.000 litres from households. The quantity of bio-diesel manufactured from such scrap edible oil is sufficient for 80 city buses per year. Remaining necessary quantity of scrap edible oil for production of bio-diesel would be extracted from oil seed rape. At this time, edible oil producer IPK Cepin and INA expressed interest in production of bio-diesel. Source: Croatia Today. http://www.reporter.gr/fulltext_eng.cfm?id=60515151926   nenad@nenadbach.com (Nenad N. Bach) Tue, 16 May 2006 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/6041/1/E-Croatia-joins-EU-renewable-energy-program.html  Croatia joins EU renewable energy program 17/03/2006(Brussels, DTT-NET.COM) - Croatia is the first country from the Western Balkans region to join the program of EU on renewable energy as today it signed the participation memorandum with European Commission.Energy Commissioner, Andris Piebalgs and Croatian Vice Prime Minister, Damir Polančec signed today in Brussels a Memorandum of Understanding which paves the way for Croatia's participation in 'Intelligent Energy - Europe', the EU's programme to promote energy efficiency and the wider use of renewable energy sources. For the first time, Croatian organisations will be able to take part in European projects and events financially supported by the programme. Commissioner Piebalgs welcomed the signature of this Memorandum of Understanding as a 'positive step towards stronger cooperation between Croatia and the UE in the field of Energy'. With a total budget of â,¬250 million, Intelligent Energy - Europe co-finances European projects, large-scale events, and the creation of local or regional energy management agencies in areas such as buildings, industry, transport, urban areas, consumer products, power and heat generation, and cooperation with developing countries. So far, organisations from the EU Member States, plus Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Bulgaria and Romania could apply for financial support under the programme. Now, it will also be possible for Croatian organisations to submit applications under the next call for project proposals, which will be published in May 2006 with a total budget of â,¬55 million.To date, the programme supports more than 200 European projects, over 30 energy management agencies, and 40 one-off events. The Commission has proposed an ambitious Intelligent Energy - Europe II programme, which will form part of the new 'Competitiveness and Innovation' Programme 2007-13. A decision on the details and final budget of this programme will be made later this year.The Commission's 'Green Paper on Sustainable, Competitive and Secure Energy' underlines the need to develop a pan-European Energy Community. The EU has for some time been engaged in widening its energy market to include its neighbours and to bring them progressively closer to the EU's internal market. Croatia is one of the members of the Energy Community, which extends the Internal Market for Energy into South - East Europe. This means that the relevant acquis communautaire on energy, environment and competition will be implemented in that region.http://www.dtt-net.com/en/index.php?page=view-article&article=1234&CMSSESSID=0b0628bb860d3042d193e5c568bf613f  nenad@nenadbach.com (Nenad N. Bach) Tue, 21 Mar 2006 00:00:00 -0800 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/6042/1/E-Croatian-Aussie-attempts-Adriatic-crossing.html  Aussie attempts Adriatic crossingFrom correspondents in LondonMarch 10, 2006A PERTH man will tackle 300km of treacherous open sea in a kayak this weekend.Shane Braddock, 34, will re-enact the perilous voyage across the Adriatic by Croatians fleeing to the west to escape communism. He plans to cross the Adriatic from the Croatian city of Split to Pescara in Italy in five days, despite the risk of violent storms which are common at this time of the year.Many political refugees lost their lives trying to escape the former communist state of Yugoslavia on that route before the fall of the iron curtain. The crossing has not been attempted since. Mr Braddock said the journey is also intended to emphasise the need to preserve the natural beauty of the area."I was born in Western Australia but my mother comes from Croatia while my colleague, who is accompanying me, Ray Fusco, 39, is an Italian-American," Mr Braddock said."We want to show to both countries in the Adriatic that they need to preserve the nature and clear sea they have. "You can't find a better place in the world where history, food, wine and clear water go together so well." The pair will leave Split on Saturday. http://dailytelegraph.news.com.au/story/0,20281,18411915-5001028,00.html http://www.sundaytimes.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,7034,18411915%255E1702,00.htmlhttp://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5478,18411915%255E1702,00.html  nenad@nenadbach.com (Nenad N. Bach) Wed, 08 Mar 2006 00:00:00 -0800 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/6045/1/H-Elektricna-energija-obnovljivim-izvorima-posebice-vjetroelektranama.html  Elektricna energija obnovljivim izvorima, posebice vjetroelektranamaHrvatska - HEP - Upravni komitet - UCTE OTS: Sastanak Upravnog komiteta UCTE-aZagreb (ots) - Hrvatska elektroprivreda d.d. i HEP - Operator prijenosnog sustava d.o.o. domacini su tri vazna medjunarodna sastanka u Zagrebu od 18. do 20. sijecnja 2006. Dana 19. sijecnja, u cetvrtak, odrzat ce se sastanak Upravnog odbora UCTE-a, najviseg medjunarodnog tijela za koordinaciju pogona i razvoja elektroenergetskih sustava kontinentalne Europe, na kojem ce se medju ostalim razmatrati pitanja sigurnosti opskrbe elektricnom energijom, problematika obnovljivih izvora, posebice vjetroelektrana i njihovog utjecaja na sigurnost pogona UCTE sustava, buduci razvoj i sirenje UCTE sustava itd. Kako se ove godine obiljezava 150 - ta obljetnica rodjenja Nikole Tesle, velikog izumitelja u podrucju elektrotehnike, sudionicima ce biti organiziran prigodni posjet demonstracijskom kabinetu Tehnickog muzeja u Zagrebu. Sa ovim sastankom Upravnog odbora UCTE pocinje dvogodisnji mandat novog predsjednistva UCTE u kojem je jedini novi clan u svojstvu njegovog predsjednika g. Jose Penedos iz Portugala. Ovom prigodom g. Penedos ce predstaviti prioritete svojeg programa. G. Penedos je predsjednik REN-a, portugalskog operatora prijenosnog sustava, kao i portugalski predstavnik u vise medjunarodnih elektroenergetskih organizacija: ETSO, EURELECTRIC i CIGRE. Iza sebe ima i zavidnu politicku karijeru, gdje je izmedju ostalog u vise mandata obnasao funkcije drzavnog tajnika za industriju i energetiku te obranu, a bio je i na celu nekoliko radnih tijela portugalskog parlamenta. Prije cetiri godine HEP je bio prvi put domacin sastanka Upravnog odbora UCTE -a, kada su prioritet UCTE-a predstavljale aktivnosti na pripremi sigurne rekonekcije u ono vrijeme razdvojenih UCTE sinkronih sustava. Obnova TS 400/110 kV Ernestinovo i izgradnje nove TS 400/220/110 kV zerjavinec s pripadajucim dalekovodima znacila je kljucni doprinos uspostavi cjelovitog UCTE sinkronog sustava, sto je bilo prepoznato i u cinjenici da je HEP koordinirao iz nacionalnog dispecerskog centra u Zagrebu tehnicku realizaciju procesa rekonekcije. UCTE rekonekcijom su se osim tehnicko-komercijalnih koristi za hrvatski elektroenergetski sustav stvorile tehnicke pretpostavke za jedinstveno trziste elektricnom energijom u Europskoj Uniji i jugoistocno Europi. Dan nakon sastanka Upravnog odbora UCTE 20. sijecnja 2006. u petak odrzati ce se sastanak UCTE radne grupe "Pogon i sigurnost" (UCTE WG "Operation and Security") i sastanak ETSO radne grupe SETSO za jugoistocnu Europu (Southeast European Transmission System Operators).NAPOMENA O IZVORU:Hrvatska elektroprivreda d. d.Radomir Milisic, glasnogovornikUlica grada Vukovara 3710000 Zagrebtel: +385 1 63 22 111fax: +385 1 61 70 430web: http://www.hep.hr  nenad@nenadbach.com (Nenad N. Bach) Mon, 13 Feb 2006 00:00:00 -0800 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/6044/1/H-Uspio-probni-rad-vjetroelektrane-na-Pagu.html  Uspio probni rad vjetroelektrane na Pagu  Utorak, 9. studenog 2004.Uspio probni rad vjetroelektrane na Pagu RIJEKA - Probni rad vjetroelektrane koju je na Pagu izgradila tvrtka Adria Wind Power, prema dosadaÅ¡njim uÄ?incima, u skladu je s planiranom godiÅ¡njom proizvodnom od 15 milijuna kilovatsati elektriÄ?ne energije, istaknuo je direktor te tvrtke TonÄ?i Panza.Za nekoliko dana bit će obavljen tehniÄ?ki pregled vjetroelektrane radi ishodovanja uporabne dozvole, a nakon toga bit će zavrÅ¡en probni rad, te bi trebala poÄ?eti redovna proizvodnja i distribucija elektriÄ?ne energije u skladu s ugovorom, rekao je Panza. Dnevna proizvodnja ovisi o vjetru, a u proÅ¡la dva dana vjetroelektrana je radila maksimalnom snagom od 5,95 megavata, kazao je Panza.U probni rad puÅ¡tena je sredinom listopada. Tvrtka Adria Wind Power sklopila je s HEP-om ugovor o otkupu i distribuciji proizvedene energije na rok od 15 godina. (Hina)  nenad@nenadbach.com (Nenad N. Bach) Mon, 13 Feb 2006 00:00:00 -0800 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/6043/1/E-THE-RAVNA-WIND-FARM-ON-THE-ISLAND-OF-PAG.html  Where the sea meets the mountains, wind has been leaving its imprint since time immemorial.  THE RAVNA WIND FARM ON THE ISLAND OF PAGEver since the earliest days of humankind, the forces of nature have been harnessed to cater for man’s needs. A mighty wind, "heaven's breath", has been revered throughout civilizations and ascribed divine attributes. After catching the wind in sails, people reached the New World and made the greatest nautical discoveries.  Thanks to technological advances, modern civilization has harnessed wind power, using it as a driving force and converting it into the noblest form of energy â€" electricity. This is the story of the first Croatian experience in harnessing the power of the wind to generate electricity.  www.adriawindpower.hr   nenad@nenadbach.com (Nenad N. Bach) Mon, 13 Feb 2006 00:00:00 -0800 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/6046/1/E-Five-Cities-in-Croatia-Ban-Animal-Circus-Performances.html  Five Cities in Croatia Ban Animal Circus PerformancesPrijatelji Zivotinja31 October 2005Velika Gorica, Rovinj and Split joined Mursko Sredisce and Varazdin and banned the circuses with animal performances. Prijatelji zivotinja (Friends of Animals) association invites the other Croatian cities and townships to eliminate the unethical practice of torture of animals. Circus animals are subjecte to substandard accommodation and frequent changes of climate and habitat. Velika Gorica, Rovinj and Split are the latest Croatian cities that banned circuses with animal performances, thus joining Mursko Sredisce and Varazding that adopted such bans earlier this month. The five cities follow the example of Venice, Vienna, Barcelona, Rio de Janeiro and hundreds of other cities all over the world that have declared circuses unwanted within the city limits. The Prijatelji zivotinja association expects for other Croatian cities to join the initiative and respond to their appeal. The ethical awareness of the citizens regarding the suffering of animals in traveling circuses rises daily, reflected in the decisions of the city councils that follow the will of the citizens and care about the good reputation of their cities and municipalities. The bans were provoked by the immense cruelty of methods used by circuses to train, transport and accommodate the animals, in the absence of proper legal standards. http://see.oneworld.net/article/view/121422/1/3187  nenad@nenadbach.com (Nenad N. Bach) Mon, 31 Oct 2005 00:00:00 -0800 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/6047/1/E-Seminar-on-Bio-Fuel-in-Zagreb-on-June-4-5-2005.html   Seminar on Bio-Fuel  in Zagreb, June 4-5.   Kruno Jost31 May 2005The Green Network of Activist Groups (original acronym ZMAG) association, in cooperation with Bio-Power UK cooperative, will organize a seminar in production of bio-fuels. The seminar will take place at the facilities of Zelena Akcija in Zagreb, June 4-5. The seminar will introduce the “do-it-yourselfâ€? systems designed to turn potential waste into valuable fuel, save money, protect the environment and reduce the use of oil in transportation. John Nicholson, the founder of Bio-Power UK cooperative, will talk about the technology of production of bio-fuel in the two days of the seminar. The first day will be dedicated to theory and basics of bio-fuels, their capacities and meaning they could have in the context of climate changes and wars for oil. The second day of the seminar will bring an introduction to various methods of production of bio-fuel. Bio-fuels and fuels extracted from oleaceous plants (sunflower, beet-roots, palm oil...) are commonly known as “bio-dieselâ€? in Croatia. The seminar will be given in English language, without translation, but there will be opportunity to make a break and give more details on the discussion. Due to the restricted number of participants the seminar can take, the applications are obligatory on zmag@zmag.hr or by phone at 091/535-1643 (ask for Drazen Simlesa, ZMAG coordinator). Saturday, June 4, and Sunday, June 5, at 10:00 hours, at the facilities of Zelena akcija, Frankopanska 1, 10000 Zagreb http://www.zmag.hr/portal/html/index.php http://www.zelena-akcija.hr/ http://see.oneworld.net/article/view/112324/1/3260   nenad@nenadbach.com (Nenad N. Bach) Tue, 31 May 2005 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/6048/1/E-WWW-Win-With-the-Wind---7-of-them-produce-enough-for-Pag.html  WWW - Win With the Wind7 Windmills on Pag's Wind farm produce enough for the whole island Pag.Why don't we build 1007 Windmills?That is the fact that I heard recently. Clean energy, clean water, clean sea, natural food, why don't we build 1007 Windmills?Soon. In the next 3 years? And therefore export electricity. On a long run, we can only win with the windNenad BachEditor in Chief, CROWN  nenad@nenadbach.com (Nenad N. Bach) Mon, 21 Mar 2005 00:00:00 -0800 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/6049/1/E-Pavle-Balenovic.html   Pavle BalenovicPavle Balenovic is known for his deep insight into the behavior of wild animals in Croatia, in particular of wolves. He studied them during many years in the region of the Velebit mountain. See his beautiful web pages White Paw. He prepared an amazing documentary The Wolf Man - the Diary of Paul Balenovic, about his friendship with the wolf Lik. It was shown by the BBC throughout the world with great success. The name of Lik is derived from LIKA, a Croatian region on the north of Velebit, known for its beauty, its extremely difficult history, and its wolves. http://croatianhistory.net/etf/et22.html#balenovic   nenad@nenadbach.com (Nenad N. Bach) Tue, 15 Mar 2005 00:00:00 -0800 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/6050/1/E-Croatia-puts-into-operation-its-first-wind-farm.html  Croatia puts into operation its first wind farm A view of a wind farm in Mardyck, France. Croatia's first wind farm, located on the central Adriatic island of Pag, began generation, the economy ministry said.(AFP/File/Denis Charlet) Fri Feb 4,12:06 PM ET Science - AFP ZAGREB (AFP) - Croatia's first wind farm, located on the central Adriatic island of Pag, began generation, the economy ministry said. The system, worth some 6.5 million euros (8.4 million dollars), cmprises seven windmills, each of which is expected to generate about 15 million kilowatts of electricity per year. Croatia is building its second wind park, which is to be put into service later this year, near the central coastal town of Sibenik. It is also planning to build wind farms on the southern island of Vis and in the central town of Obrovac. http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/afp/20050204/sc_afp/croatiaenvironment_050204170613   nenad@nenadbach.com (Nenad N. Bach) Tue, 08 Feb 2005 00:00:00 -0800 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/6053/1/E-Bears-more-secure-in-Croatia-then-elsewhere.html  Bears more secure in Croatia then in many other "civilized" countries  A bear cub in a nature reserve in Croatia. French environmentalists reacted with fury after hunters shot dead one of the last remaining bears in the Pyrenees mountains separating France and Spain.(AFP/File /Hrvoje Polan)   nenad@nenadbach.com (Nenad N. Bach) Thu, 18 Nov 2004 00:00:00 -0800 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/6052/1/E-Croatias-wolves-are-living-up-to-their-storybook-reputation.html  Shepherds despair as wolves thrive in Croatia 08 Nov 2004 02:05:09 GMTBy Zoran RadosavljevicZAGVOZD, Croatia, Nov 8 (Reuters) - The state has made them a protected species, but shepherds say Croatia's wolves are living up to their storybook reputation as the bad guys.Wolves roaming rural Croatia are preying on sheep and goats while enjoying more rights than livestock owners.A simple example sums up the problem: If a shepherd kills a wolf, he faces a 40,000 kuna ($6,800) fine. But if the wolf kills a sheep from your flock, the state pays only 500 kuna, with some delay and only if a state-appointed expert confirms it was a case of lupine wrongdoing.Shepherds in this remote village in the southern Dalmatia region, separated from the touristy Adriatic coast by Mount Biokovo, say they have had their fill of wolf attacks. The situation is the same in much of rural Croatia.Hardly a day goes by without a newspaper report of wolves killing sheep, goats or dogs, almost literally before their owners' eyes, prompting demands for a reduction of their number.Ivica Brnas owns 45 sheep and goats, four cows and a horse, guarded by two well-trained sheep dogs. He recently had a close encounter with wolves that swooped on his flock from nearby slopes."I yelled and threw rocks to chase them away. I have become frightened of going into the woods with the livestock. We only go when more of us get together," the 55-year-old said."In the old days, wolves came down only in the winter. They were afraid of cowbells and humans. Now they come all the time and are not afraid at all," he said.WOLVES THRIVEJosip Kolak of the Zagreb Veterinarian Faculty, who oversees the national wolf management programme, said grey wolves (Canis Lupus) had been exterminated in most of Western Europe. "Their only chance is if we preserve them".But he said there were many conflicting interests at stake."The state and environmentalists are on one side, hunters and shepherds on the other. It is difficult to find a solution that would please everyone".Kolak said the former Yugoslav republic -- where the wolf became a protected species in 1995 -- was home to up to 170 wolves, considerably more than before its 1991-95 war of independence."For some reason, the number of wolves always rises after a war, perhaps because people are too busy killing each other to pay attention to wolves," he said.In addition, some wolves may have come from neighbouring Bosnia, where they are still a prized target for hunters.Croatia is actively engaged in several European wildlife projects aiming to protect big carnivores -- the wolf, brown bear and lynx -- all still found here.Most wolves inhabit the rugged mountains and forests in central Croatia, reaching almost to the Adriatic coast. As part of the project, Kolak tries to tag them and monitor their behaviour in the wild.INTELLIGENT PREDATORSIvica Buljubasic, a veteran hunter from Zagvozd, does the same in his own free time. He says he knows all wolf trails in the area, says he can think like a wolf and even howl like one.He said the last wolf killed by hunters in the area was in 1975, when there were only one or two wolves on the prowl. Now there are three or four packs operating in the relatively small area of Mount Biokovo and around Zagvozd."This is way too much, but the fact that there are so many of them here means they know they are not in danger and there is enough food. However, they've become a threat and a nuisance".A passionate student of nature and wildlife, Buljubasic said the wolves were more intelligent than humans might believe."They are perfect predators, always scouring their territory and knowing exactly where to find food. These wolves are also behaving differently, they are getting used to civilisation and eat everything, dogs, cats, carcasses".State veterinary expert Boris Sabic said part of the problem was in the traditional loose shepherding that still survives on the slopes of Mount Biokovo."A lot of livestock roam free, without supervision and out in the open and that is ideal easy prey for wolves. But a lot of farmers protect their cattle and have dogs, and yet they are attacked," Sabic said.Despite all that, Kolak said the wolf never attacks humans and should be regarded as an asset, not a marauder."However, you cannot sell that line to shepherds," he said. "We must create a situation in which shepherds can also benefit from the wolf's presence, because of tourists coming to see the wolf in the wild." http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L27258261.htm   nenad@nenadbach.com (Nenad N. Bach) Thu, 18 Nov 2004 00:00:00 -0800 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/6051/1/E-The-wooden-houses-in-Croatias-European-stork-village.html  Croatia's European stork village, have fallen silent since their feathered inhabitants flew south  A stork flies above Cigoc near Zagreb. The wooden houses in Croatia's European stork village, have fallen silent since their feathered inhabitants flew south before the autumn rains turn the area into a vast marsh(AFP/File) AFP/File - Nov 09 8:28 AM A stork stands on top of a roof in the village of Cigoc in July 2004. The wooden houses in Croatia's European stork village, have fallen silent since their feathered inhabitants flew south before the autumn rains turn the area into a vast marsh(AFP/File) AFP/File - Nov 09 8:28 AM  nenad@nenadbach.com (Nenad N. Bach) Thu, 18 Nov 2004 00:00:00 -0800 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/6054/1/E-Croatian-Ships-Placed-on-Grey-List.html  Croatian Ships Placed on Grey List09/09/2004Croatian shipping,which spent five years on an international black list, is again facing trouble because of poor technical conditions and failure to meet standards. By Miranda Novak for Southeast European Times in Zagreb - 09/09/04As a Paris MOU signatory, Croatia has made a commitment to improving maritime safety and preventing substandard ships from operating. [File] Croatian media recently reported that the country has been placed on a "grey list" by the Paris Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Port State Control, together with 23 other countries, including Tunisia, Brazil, Kuwait, Austria, Spain and Poland. The Paris MOU, established in 1982, and joined by Croatia in 1997, sets the standards for inspection checks conducted at ports along the European coastline and the North Atlantic basin from North America to Europe.For five years, ending in 2001, Croatia was on the organisation's black list, due to the growing number of Croatian ship owners who ran old and poorly kept ships under the home flag. One ship, for example, was detained at a Spanish port because its owners had failed to make necessary repairs and owed several months' worth of harbor fees. In some cases, ships were banned from leaving port, then put on public auction with their crews remaining unpaid. At worst, seafarers died when malfunctions resulted in explosions or other catastrophes. Many of the ship owners involved in such incidents have gone out of business. But the average age of the Croatian fleet remains high, and problems continue to surface during inspections. In 2003, six detainments were recorded during 66 inspection checks. In the first quarter of this year alone, four ships were detained. As a result, Croatia is at risk of again being placed on the black list. In August, a roundtable organised by the Seafarer's Union of Croatia was held in Rijeka. One of the speakers was Tatjana Krilic, the principal inspector for maritime safety at the Croatian Ministry of Sea, Tourism, Transport and Development. Noting that ship owners are required to maintain equipment in good working condition, she called for co-operation with inspectors and urged that special attention be paid to ship elements that have failed inspections and led to detentions. Of all failures discovered on ships under the Croatian flag, the most common are malfunctions with ventilation devices, airtight doors, and a variety of problems on salvage ships. Each year, at least one three-month inspection action is conducted under the auspices of the Paris MOU, focusing on a particular area of concern. This year, for example, inspectors are checking living and working conditions. Depending on the results, ships and flag states are put on the white, grey or black list. As a Paris MOU signatory, Croatia has made a commitment to improving maritime safety and preventing the operation of substandard ships. Authorities have pledged that new technical standards will be in place soon, and that Croatia -- which boasts some of the world's most beautiful seas -- will become known for better-quality ships. http://www.setimes.com/cocoon/setimes/xhtml/en_GB/features/setimes/features/2004/09/09/feature-02   nenad@nenadbach.com (Nenad N. Bach) Sun, 12 Sep 2004 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/6055/1/E-Euros-40-million-for-the-Croatia-Coastal-Cities-Pollution.html  Euros 40 million for the Croatia Coastal Cities Pollution WASHINGTON, June 2, 2004-The World Bank's Board of Executive Directors yesterday approved a loan of Euros 40 million for the Croatia Coastal Cities Pollution Control Project. The protection of Croatia's 1,780 km-long Adriatic Sea coastline and 1,185 islands is a priority for both ecological and economic reasons. The Project will improve coastal wastewater treatment, discharge infrastructure, and sewage expansion to address the problem of water pollution because of its negative effect on ecology, public health, tourism, fishing industries and aquaculture. Under existing conditions, wastewater management is deficient and water >pollution constitutes a problem in a number of Croatian coastal municipalities. Coverage of water supply services ranks high compared to other countries in the region. However, coverage for sewage is only around 40 percent, and less than 12 percent of all collected wastewater is being treated. The degradation of seawater quality in some parts of the coast due to discharges of raw sewage has resulted in visible problems, including localized eutrophication (water pollution caused by excessive plant nutrients) and phytoplankton bloom, as well as less-visible contamination of the marine life by organic and non-organic micro-polluting substances. The Coastal Cities Pollution Control Project is designed to improve the quality of Croatia's Adriatic coastal waters to meet European Union environmental requirements under the acquis communautaire. The project is also designed to preserve one of the country's natural resources and to enhance the potential for further growth in the tourism industry. The project's development objective will be achieved through support for the strengthening of the institutional arrangements for financing and management of wastewater management, wastewater collection, treatment and disposal infrastructure in selected coastal municipalities. The coastal municipalities that have been identified as candidates to participate in the project include Krk, Opatija, Biograd, Zadar, and Rijeka. The project will also provide technical assistance and financing for engineering services, improvements in the environmental monitoring system for the implementation and measurement of results financed under the project. The project supports the National Environmental Action Plan (NEAP), which was recently completed by the Croatian Government with extensive public participation. The Government of Croatia has selected the Adaptable Program Loan (APL), the first time that this instrument is being used in the country. The APL provides a framework for the phased implementation of pollution control programs and implementing the medium-term investment program needed to comply with requirements for EU accession by helping Croatian Waters, the implementing agency for the project, to take a phased approach to planning and identifying funding sources, while building the necessary regulatory, monitoring, and control capacity. The World Bank loan is the first phase of a medium term investment program that is part of a wider 10-year investment program designed to bring Croatia in line with EU wastewater treatment requirements. Since Croatia joined the World Bank in 1993, the Bank has funded 24 projects totaling over US$1.2 billion, with disbursements of over $700 million. For more information on the World Bank's work in Croatia, visit http://www.worldbank.hr   nenad@nenadbach.com (Nenad N. Bach) Fri, 11 Jun 2004 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/6056/1/E-Bear-cubs-find-refuge-in-Croatia.html   Bear cubs find refuge in CroatiaMay 25 2004 at 08:12AMBy Lajla VeselicaKuterevo - Mara-Buna is a four-month-old orphan whose mother was killed in February, but the helpless cub's life was saved as she found refuge in a unique shelter for brown bears in an idyllic mountain environment in central Croatia."The baby bear was brought here together with her brother after the hunters had killed their mother," Ivan Crnkovic-Pavenka who runs the shelter said, while the cub is playfully running around him in a meadow.Only her ears, covered with still downy fur, are protruding above the grass, as she plays tag with a dog. Like a real kid, only a minute later, Mara-Buna changes her mind and tries to climb a tree, but flops over. She was mourning her brother, inconsolably whining for days' Mara-Buna's brother died from an intestinal disease three weeks ago, so she had to be quarantined in a barn. "She was mourning her brother, inconsolably whining for days, so I let her play with my dog and they became best friends," Crnkovic-Pavenka explains.By the end of August, Mara-Buna will hopefully leave the barn to make her debut in front of the visitors. She will then join the other four orphan bears who during the past two years have found their new home in the picturesque village, about 180km south-west of Zagreb, in the foothills of the Velebit mountain range. The northern Velebit is a national park. The idea to create a shelter for brown bear cubs was launched in 2001 and its first resident - male  Mrnjo-Brundo - was brought a year later.The cub was found by children in a rain-swollen river that had most probably left it separated from the rest of the litter. "When Mrnjo-Brundo arrived I took it to every single house in the village and his charm has disarmed all opponents of the shelter," Crnkovic-Pavenka says.The four bears live in two open-air areas of about 8 000 square metres each where they have an improvised den, a hollow tree trunk to hide in and a wooden tub for a bath. The areas are encircled with an electric fence preventing the animals from climbing out.These bears have no chance of surviving out in the wild since they are no longer capable of recognising human hostility. Bears attack humans only if they feel endangered, Crnkovic-Pavenka said.Although brown bears were originally true carnivores, nowadays almost 90 percent of their diet is vegetation and the rest consists are small mammals, insects and fish.All the Kuterevo bears - males Mrnjo-Brundo, Ljubo-Lik and Zdravi-Gor as well as two females Janja-Zora and Mara-Buna - have two names. The first is the person who found them and the second refers to area where they were found.In Croatia, unlike in many other parts of Europe, the brown bears (Ursus arctos) have managed to survive habitat loss and persecution by humans.They are present notably in the central forested parts of Gorski Kotar and Lika and are protected by a hunting closed season. Official estimates put their number at 600 to 1 000.Crnkovic-Pavenka would like to see the Kuterevo bear shelter becoming part of a future Velebit animal park, but admits financing is a problem.http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?click_id=143&art_id=qw1085465521181C635&set_id=1   nenad@nenadbach.com (Nenad N. Bach) Tue, 25 May 2004 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/6059/1/E-Adopt-A-Minefield-Partners-with-Abbey-Road-on-the-River.html  Adopt-A-Minefield Partners with Abbey Road on the River Dear Friends of Adopt-A-Minefield,AAM proudly announces its partnership with Abbey Road on the River, an annual Beatles Tribute Festival. This three-day concert event features some of the best Beatles tribute bands from around the world and will take place August 6-8 in Cleveland, OH. This year, the festival will celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the Beatles' first American tour, and will take place at the historic Public Auditorium in Cleveland on the same stage that the Beatles performed in 1964. AAM representatives will be present at the festival, raising awareness and funds for mine action, selling "no more land mines" t-shirts, promoting Night of a Thousand Dinners, and raffling a trip for two to our annual Los Angeles Benefit Gala featuring a performance by Paul McCartney. For more information and to buy tickets, please visit www.abbeyroadontheriver.com . All AAM supporters will receive a ticket discount (two tickets for the price of one until 6/30/04).Successful Culmination of AAM's Iraq AppealAAM's special Iraq appeal has reached a successful conclusion and we are proud to report that over $100,000 was raised for emergency mine action operations in Iraq. Mine clearance funds will support the Mines Advisory Group's clearance activities and survivor assistance funds will ensure that Handicap International-Belgium can continue to provide landmine survivors with desperately needed rehabilitation services.While this special appeal has ended, funds are still urgently needed for mine clearance and survivor assistance in AAM's permanent program countries. Thank you to all who contributed to the Iraq Appeal!A Global AgendaFor more than two decades, UNA-USA's annual publication, A Global Agenda, Issues Before the General Assembly of the United Nations, has served as the ultimate authority on the full spectrum of U.N. activity-the Security Council, General Assembly, Specialized Agencies and more. The 2004-2005 edition has a special focus on global health with sections devoted to the Iraq war, terrorism, trade and development, U.N. reform and more.The 2004-2005 edition will be available in August 2004. Please visitwww.unausa.org/publications/issues53.asp  to order your copy.Many thanks for your continuing support,The AAM Team  nenad@nenadbach.com (Nenad N. Bach) Thu, 13 May 2004 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/6057/1/E-Mine-Action-Academy-Croatia.html  MINE ACTION ACADEMY, CROATIA,announces enrolment in its 2004/2005 B.Sc. program in English:  Dear Mr Bach,Thank you very much for your offered help. It is big challenge for all of us but Croatia has, unfortunately, very big experience in the field of humanitarian demining with lots of expert. Therefore, we have to do it in the best way we can and help to our and many other countries in solving of the mines problem. With potential that Croatia has, we believe in success of very high quality education in this filed what will results with safer future. Below is the text about our Mine Action Academy.S postovanjem,Alen Stranjik, dipl.ing.Zamjenik direktora za poslovanjeVeleuèili¹te Velika GoricaTel: +385 1 6224 653Fax: +385 1 6222 501www.vvg.hralen.stranjik@vvg.hrMINE ACTION ACADEMY, CROATIA, announces enrolment in its 2004/2005 B.Sc. program in English: Humanitarian Demining Mine Action Academy (MAA) at the Polytechnic College Velika Gorica (PCVG), CROATIA, is the international civil engineering study with emphasis on providing knowledge and professional degree of B.Sc. in humanitarian demining. The working language is English. The study is also provided in the Croatian language.The Engineer of humanitarian demining will be able to participate in a number of activities. MAA chain illustrates the activities within the humanitarian demining system.Promote awareness of the need for mine clearance activities Stimulate interest and activate market Stimulate political and legal activities Implement economic and financial activities Setting of requirements and standards Research and development of methods and technologies Management of information and knowledge Destruction and removal Education and training Certification and accreditation System planning and provision of the means Mine detection and removal Transport and storage Destruction and disposal Supervision and quality control Mines are a growing problem at this rate of demining. We are losing the battle since many more mines are planted than extracted. It is necessary to accelerate the effort in order to turn around the trend. That is possible by "smart investing" which means supporting new technologies and education.The challenge for the International community is demining and overcoming of the mine problem in the next 10-15 years in all mine-polluted countries (91). Approximately 30,000 casualties are reported worldwide every year. The plan of deactivating 84,000,000 mines has been declared by most of the official documents but with the current dynamic this would require 1250 years and approximately 30 billion dollars and NO NEW MINES. According to the UN statistics approximately 200 new mines are laid down in the ground every 30 minutes. For example: in the year 1995, 80,000 mines were deactivated but 2,500,000 were spread around.Therefore, it is very important to provide high quality education which can quickly meet international capacity and necessity in the field of humanitarian demining.The Diploma of Humanitarian Demining at the Mine Action Academy (MAA) increases your chance to find quickly a job in numerous mine-polluted countries and countries which are involved in mine action activities in all fields of humanitarian demining. After having completed the study, the students acquire 180 ECTS (European Credit Transfer System) and the professional title of an engineer (bachelor) of humanitarian demining. Study duration 2 years of theory - lectures+1/2 year practical work+1/2 year diploma work=DiplomaB. Sc. Humanitarian Demining Why study in Croatia at MAAMaximum Quality MAA is based upon existing Croatian experience in Humanitarian demining and higher education system that has traditionally produced high quality professionals.Maximum Convenience Central European location, proximity of airport, proximity to testing / practice facilities and fields; as well as country's openness and hassle-free immigration will enable candidates and faculty to devote more time to education and professional advancement.Competitive pricing Reasonable tuition fees and low cost of living in Croatia will make high quality education possible for qualifying candidates with limited fundsPlease, find out more about MAA onwww.vvg.hr/en  nenad@nenadbach.com (Nenad N. Bach) Thu, 13 May 2004 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/6058/1/E-Croatia-could-begin-to-produce-electricity-from-wind.html  Pag wind farm gets the green light  CNO Staff | 15-Apr-2004 Zagreb Croatia could begin to produce electricity from wind power as early as this fall, with the construction of the first wind farm set to be completed by the end of this November. The Croatian-German company Adria Wind Power building the wind farm on the island of Pag secured the necessary financing for the completion of the project this week when it signed an agreement with Hypo-Alpe-Adria bank. The development of Ravine 1, as the wind farm will be called, began in 1998 with the study of wind strength and patterns on the island. Since then a study on the wind farm's impact on the environment and migrating birds in the area has been completed, Pag's urban plan has been altered to accommodate the project and a road connecting the location to the main highway has been built. The total value of the project is 6.5 million euro.Adria Wind Power said construction will begin immediately upon signing of the financing agreement. The future wind farm will have rated power of 5.95 megawatts (MW), generated by seven wind turbines. A turbine column stands at 49 meters (162 feet) and the turbine rotor diameter is 52 meters (171 feet). Adria Wind Power expects to have completed and connected the wind farm to the power grid by the end of November, 2004. Once connected the wind farm will produce about 15 million kWh of electricity annually. An observation point will be build near the wind farm and together with the famous Pag cheese and alleged UFO sittings Pag will again another tourist attraction. Adria Wind Power plans to build two more wind farms on Pag, Novalja 1 and 2, with the combined power of 17 MW, and a third one near Dubrovnik with a 52.5 MW capacity, although completion dates have not been made available.In recent years wind power has gone from the hippy fringe to economic viability. In Germany, over 3,200 MW of wind power were installed in the last year alone, supplying electricity to more than 2 million households. In the EU, a massive 75,000 megawatts of wind capacity is expected to be online by 2010, tripling the current power and adding the equivalent electricity production of 14 large nuclear reactors.A report commisioned by Greenpeace France in responce to the French government's proposal to invest 3-3.5 billion euros in building a new nuclear power plant found that the same about of the money invested in wind power would generate 5 times more jobs and 2.3 times more electricity than a nuclear reactor. Zagreb Croatia could begin to produce electricity from wind power as early as this fall, with the construction of the first wind farm set to be completed by the end of this November. The Croatian-German company Adria Wind Power building the wind farm on the island of Pag secured the necessary financing for the completion of the project this week when it signed an agreement with Hypo-Alpe-Adria bank. The development of Ravine 1, as the wind farm will be called, began in 1998 with the study of wind strength and patterns on the island. Since then a study on the wind farm's impact on the environment and migrating birds in the area has been completed, Pag's urban plan has been altered to accommodate the project and a road connecting the location to the main highway has been built. The total value of the project is 6.5 million euro.Adria Wind Power said construction will begin immediately upon signing of the financing agreement. The future wind farm will have rated power of 5.95 megawatts (MW), generated by seven wind turbines. A turbine column stands at 49 meters (162 feet) and the turbine rotor diameter is 52 meters (171 feet). Adria Wind Power expects to have completed and connected the wind farm to the power grid by the end of November, 2004. Once connected the wind farm will produce about 15 million kWh of electricity annually. An observation point will be build near the wind farm and together with the famous Pag cheese and alleged UFO sittings Pag will again another tourist attraction. Adria Wind Power plans to build two more wind farms on Pag, Novalja 1 and 2, with the combined power of 17 MW, and a third one near Dubrovnik with a 52.5 MW capacity, although completion dates have not been made available.In recent years wind power has gone from the hippy fringe to economic viability. In Germany, over 3,200 MW of wind power were installed in the last year alone, supplying electricity to more than 2 million households. In the EU, a massive 75,000 megawatts of wind capacity is expected to be online by 2010, tripling the current power and adding the equivalent electricity production of 14 large nuclear reactors.A report commisioned by Greenpeace France in responce to the French government's proposal to invest 3-3.5 billion euros in building a new nuclear power plant found that the same about of the money invested in wind power would generate 5 times more jobs and 2.3 times more electricity than a nuclear reactor. Zagreb Croatia could begin to produce electricity from wind power as early as this fall, with the construction of the first wind farm set to be completed by the end of this November. http://www.croatianewsonline.com/news.php?id=86   nenad@nenadbach.com (Nenad N. Bach) Mon, 10 May 2004 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/6060/1/E-The-three-little-bears-named-Sava-Tara-and-Kupa.html  Sava,Taraand Kupa  Grizzly bear mother Ursina parades with one of her three new born cubs in the Parc du Mont d'Orzeires, near Vallorbe, Switzerland, Tuesday April 6, 2004. The three little bears are named Sava, Tara and Kupa, after three rivers in Croatia, where father bear Georges is from. (AP Photo/Keystone, Flash Press)   nenad@nenadbach.com (Nenad N. Bach) Fri, 16 Apr 2004 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/6061/1/E-Please-Help-Island-Lastovo.html  Rock quarry (Kamenolom) on island, Lastovo ?Hello guys,I really need your help. I don't know if you have heard, but for the past year a person from Australia with the help of someone from Italy has been trying to build a rock quarry (Kamenolom) on my island, Lastovo. My mom, as the president of Eko Zadruge, along with the help of the whole island, has been doing everything possible to try to stop a few politicians only interested in their own gains and who are not looking out for the best interests of the island from allowing this to happen. The overwhelming majority of the island's population believes that Lastovo's future is in tourism, and they plan to make the island a national park, but if this rock quarry were to open, the future of Lastovo would inevitably go in a totally different direction. If you can do us a small favor and write a few words to the President of Lastovo, saying how a rock quarry would be bad for Lastovo's future and would destroy this beautiful island, we would really appreciate it. The election day is this Tuesday, February 27th, and we desperately need as many letters as we can get to prevent this from happening. It would only take you a few minutes to do this, so please help us keep this beautiful island one of the top10 beautiful islands in Croatia.If you could fax your letter with your signatures to the number (011) 385  20-801-077 before the February 27 election, we would really appreciate it. I am sorry for the relatively short notice, but everything is happening very quickly as the deadline approaches and the new politicians are being elected in Croatia. Thank you very much in advance for your much needed assistance. Anthony Juricaantonijurica@yahoo.com nenad@nenadbach.com (Nenad N. Bach) Thu, 29 Jan 2004 00:00:00 -0800 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/6062/1/H-Prijatelji-zivotinja-traze-zabranu-kolinja.html  ZABRANIMO KOLINJE !PRIJATELJI ZIVOTINJA TRAZE ZABRANU OBICAJA KRVAVIH DVORISTA ITRIHINELOZEUdruga Prijatelji zivotinja smatraju da u Hrvatskoj kolinje trebazabraniti, pozivajuci se pritom na Europsku Uniju koja je tu primitivnupraksu vec odavno zabranila. Zbog stajalista Ministarstva poljoprivredei sumarstva da ce se taj obicaj nastojati ocuvati, Prijatelji zivotinjaposlali su na adrese diljem svijeta izvjestaj o situaciji u Hrvatskoj uzkratak film koji prikazuje obicaj dvorisne zabave zvane kolinje.vise: www.prijatelji-zivotinja.hr/kolinje ZASTO VEGETARIJANSTVO?U suradnji s FARM Sabina Fund (www.farmusa.org), Prijatelji zivotinjanastavljaju projekt: ZASTO VEGETARIJANSTVOProjekt, koji je zapoceo je 01. listopada na Svjetski danvegetarijanstva postavljanjem informativnog standa, informativnog panoa,dijeljenjem = letaka i uzoraka veganske hrane, nastavio se projekcijamafilmova po srednjim skolama i fakultetima poput Fakulteta politickihznanosti (05.studenog) i II ekonomske gimnazije (18. studenog i 05.prosinca). Nakon projekcija uslijedile su vrlo zanimljive i rasprave ovegetarijanstvu, te uzgoju, odnosno iskoristavanju zivotinja u mesnoj,mlijecnoj i industriji jaja, laboratorijima te na farmama krzna.vise: www.prijatelji-zivotinja.hr nenad@nenadbach.com (Nenad N. Bach) Sun, 18 Jan 2004 00:00:00 -0800 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/6063/1/E-Each-year-hundreds-of-swans-arrive-to-Croatia.html  Swans in ZagrebSiberian white swans swim on an artificial lake during an overcast winter morning in the Croatian capital of Zagreb, January 2, 2004. Each year hundreds of swans arrive to Croatia in search of unfrozen waters, during their regular winter migrations. REUTERS/ Nikola Solic Reuters - Jan 02 8:29 AM nenad@nenadbach.com (Nenad N. Bach) Sat, 03 Jan 2004 00:00:00 -0800 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/6065/1/E-Blue-Light-Special.html  Blue-LightSpecial What's the perfect holiday gift for the loved one who has everything? Try five compact fluorescent light bulbs. If every Americanhomeowner installed the efficient bulbs in their five most usedlighting fixtures, the U.S. would conserve 800 billion kilowatt-hoursof electricity -- equivalent to shutting down 21 power plants -- andwould cut emissions of heat-trapping greenhouse gases by a trillionpounds.Source: The New York Times, Dec. 1, 2003 nenad@nenadbach.com (Nenad N. Bach) Sun, 07 Dec 2003 00:00:00 -0800 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/6064/1/E-Letter-from-Minister---DruzbAdria.html  Environment in CroatiaDear All, I received the following answer from prof. Banac, who is now Minister forthe Environment in Croatia, regarding my concern and views aboutDruzbAdria.Republika HrvatskaMinistarstvo Zastite Okolisa i Prostornog UredjenjaZagreb, 19th Nov. 2003Dear Mrs. Foley,I am very glad that you share our concern about the DruzbAdria projectbecause this project has great impact on matters of environmentalprotection in Croatia. I can assure you that I will not give approval to this project if theenvironmental impact assessment does not show that the project isacceptable for the environment. We are very aware that any oil spill would be catastrophic for years tocome for the whole region. It is my opinion that citizens of Croatiashould decide about this project through a referendum.Hoping that you will show the same interest for environmental questionsin the future as well as nowadays,Sincerely,signed: MinisterIvo Banac nenad@nenadbach.com (Nenad N. Bach) Sun, 07 Dec 2003 00:00:00 -0800 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/6066/1/E-Bear-orphans-find-home-in-Croat-mountain-village.html  Bear orphans find home inCroatian mountain villageEight month old bear cubs called Ljubo (R) and Zdravko (L) play after lunch at Kuterevo bear orphanage at the foot of the biggest Croatian mountain, Velebit on September 19, 2003. There are four bears altogether at Kuterevo, being taken care of by volunteers who independently organized the refuge for orphaned bears from the Croatian and Bosnian mountains. REUTERS/Nikola Solic TO MATCH FEATURE STORY CROATIA-BEARS 29 Sep 2003 01:07:17 GMTBear orphans find home in Croat mountain village--------------------------------------------------------------------------------By Manja SegrtKUTEREVO, Croatia, Sept 29 (Reuters) - The high-voltage barbed-wire fence enclosing the pen is not meant to protect the mountain villagers from the brown bears inside, but the other way round.The four cubs it shelters, in what carers say is the Balkans' only bear orphanage, are too young to cause harm and are already so used to humans they cannot go back to the wild.Croatia still has wilds where brown bears (ursus arctos) roam, numbering between 400 and 800. They can also be found in neighbouring Balkan states but have died out in most of Europe. They are not endangered but hunting is limited.The refuge, founded last year in Kuterevo in the rough central woodlands, cares for cubs who get separated from their mothers or lose them to illegal hunters or to vehicles.Their only chance of survival is to be raised by humans.The orphanage currently looks after Janja Zora, Mrnjo Brundo, Zdravi Gor and Ljubo Lik, who have become tourist attractions and earned their patrons some 50,000 kuna ($7,600) in tickets, postcards, posters and T-shirts this summer.USED TO HUMANSThe people who saved them cannot teach them "the bare necessities" -- how to make a den, find food or orient themselves -- so they cannot return to the wild on reaching adulthood."The biggest problem is that they get used to people, their smell and voice. They connect humans with food, and this often leads to conflict situations and bears end up being killed," said Djuro Huber, the refuge's expert adviser and a leading Croatian biologist.Local zoos have enough bears and exporting them is made difficult by international regulations, so the chances are that the cubs will remain in Kuterevo for good.Ivan Crnkovic, head of the orphanage, said there were other refuges in Bulgaria, Romania, Turkey and Greece, but those are for adult bears "that were abused and mistreated, used for entertainment by street performers".Some European countries where bears are extinct in the wild, like the Netherlands or Germany, have bear parks, but none with the sole purpose of taking in cubs.The shelter was started in 2002 by sociologist Vladimir Lay. "I discussed it with experts and concluded there was a real need to help baby bears and this region's economy," he said.PLAYFUL BUT GROWINGMrnjo Brundo was the first to arrive. When he came, Crnkovic introduced him to the 700-strong local community of this remote mountain village and the people welcomed him warmly.The 20-month-old is at ease with people and adores playing games with them, although he now weighs more than 300 kg (661 lb) and has grown to a size that inspires caution, if not outright fear, in visitors.Janja Zora is the only female in the bunch and much less interested in humans, unless they bring food -- mostly fruit, bread and grass harvested from the Gacka river, a renowned fly-fishing spot. Only five percent of it is meat.Ljubo Lik and Zdravi Gor, both eight months old, spend most of their time playing. Ljubo was starving and barely alive when locals found him. "He wouldn't have lasted another week alone," Crnkovic said.Still, he bravely attacks his bigger and much calmer friend Zdravi, who, Crnkovic said admiringly, is "the kindest of the four. What a bear he will become!" After running around, wrestling and eating all the grass and acorn the caretakers bring them, the two younger cubs often share a bath in a wooden trough.BEAR CLASSESFor each generation of bears there will be a separate living area, trying to provide the best possible natural habitat, expanding in size as they grow and move from grades one to four, the age when they reach sexual maturity. They will then be placed in a bear park that is yet to be built.The project's creators hope to turn the refuge into an ecotourism venue, but insist their primary concern will always be the bears' welfare and not profit.Brown bears are the largest wild animals living in Croatia. They have no natural enemies, except man. Their life expectancy is 20-30 years in the wilderness, although they can live up to 45 years in captivity. http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L25597529.htm nenad@nenadbach.com (Nenad N. Bach) Wed, 01 Oct 2003 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/6067/1/E-Rare-animal-species-in-Drava-river-basin-face-extinction.html  Rare animal species in Drava river basin face extinction VARAZDIN (Croatia) -- Work on regulation of the Drava river sparked outrage among environmental organisations, warning that it might lead to extinction of numerous protected species. Drava's valuable wetlands and natural habitats are being endangered by the large-scale extraction of river gravel directly from the riverbed inCroatia's part stretching 20km from the northern town of Varazdin to the border with Slovenia, the World Wide Fund (WWF) for Nature said. Croatian authorities claim that the works on the river regulation are necessary to protect the area from the floods. But according to the WWF, it leads to the destruction of the natural habitats for almost 50 rare species including white-tailed eagles, black storks, beavers, otters and turtles. The gravel extraction from river beds and banks apart from directly causing biodiversity loss also causes the groundwater tables to fall and the drying out of forests. 'This outstanding natural area could soon be lost if Croatian authorities do not take a more responsible attitude to managing their natural resources,' David Reeder, a WWF expert leading a protection of Drava project, said. Environmental groups have urged an immediate halt to the work and are calling for a parliamentary debate to ensure the protection of the river's natural richness. The environmentalists explain that the river's ecosystem has just begun to adapt to the changes caused by the construction and working regime of three hydroelectric plants in the area, and that the continuation of works on river regulation could thus have disastrous effects. -- AFP http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/techscience/story/0,4386,204033,00.html nenad@nenadbach.com (Nenad N. Bach) Sun, 10 Aug 2003 00:00:00 -0700