Tens of thousands of people gathered in Zagreb on September 5 to demand urgent action over a massive waste crisis in Croatia’s Lika region. The protest, called “Walk for Lika,” followed the discovery of between 34,000 and 37,000 tonnes of waste near the town of Gospić. Much of the waste was reportedly imported from Italy between 2023 and 2024 and includes medical and industrial materials. Environmental groups say the government has been too slow to remove the waste, raising concerns about pollution in a region known for its forests, rivers and largely unspoiled natural landscapes.
The concern goes beyond the huge quantity of waste—it is about the possible impact on soil, groundwater, air and local ecosystems. Environmentalists warn that pollution from the site could threaten drinking water and the wider environment, while residents are demanding greater accountability and faster action. Prime Minister Andrej Plenković has said that a contractor has been selected to begin the first phase of the cleanup, but protesters want the entire site cleared and stronger measures to prevent illegal waste imports. The message from Zagreb is clear: waste cannot simply be hidden from sight. Protecting clean water, healthy soil and nature must come before profit, negligence and delay. More