Garbage clogs once crystal-clear Bosnia rivers amid neglect

VISEGRAD, Bosnia-Herzegovina – Plastic bottles, rusty barrels and even old washing machines are among tons of garbage clogging rivers in Bosnia that were once famous for their emerald color and crystal clear waters adored by rafters and adventurers as well as fishermen.

Bosnia and other countries in the Western Balkans have done little to build an effective system of garbage disposal and environment protection despite formally seeking entry into the European Union and adopting some of the EU's laws and regulations.

At the Drina river, which flows between Montenegro, Serbia and Bosnia, tons of garbage is stuck near a key hydro power plant, forming huge islands that float on the surface. Locals say as much as 800,000 tons are pulled out of the Drina each year.