More than a thousand illegal dump sites have been recorded in the Karlovac area, and the environmental association is calling on citizens to join a joint cleanup action and tour of problematic locations.
The Karlovac Rangers, an environmental association known for numerous cleanup actions and warnings about environmental devastation, has issued a new alert regarding the state of illegal dump sites in the Karlovac area. According to their estimates, there are more than 1,000 illegal dump sites in Karlovac and its surroundings, and they point out that the problem is not diminishing despite their efforts.
In a Facebook post, the Rangers stated that they have detected hundreds of illegal dump sites so far, and they have cleaned up some themselves. However, they warn that the problem keeps recurring.
"We have detected hundreds of illegal dump sites, and we have resolved some ourselves, but the problem is that for every cleaned-up illegal dump site, ten new ones appear. Of course, the problem lies in the system because waste management is not functioning, the law is flawed, and consequently, so is the judiciary," the Rangers said.
They also commented on the recent pollution case in Lika, specifically the environmental disaster in Gospić, which has further highlighted waste issues across Croatia.
"We are sorry that it took 'Lika' to happen for people to open their eyes, but we are afraid it might be too late. In Karlovac and Karlovac County, we have several Likas, and this must be resolved as soon as possible," they wrote.
They particularly targeted those who, they claim, previously belittled their work but now present themselves as great nature defenders. "They laughed at us, insulted us, threatened us, and now they are great activists, nature fighters, experts," the Rangers said.
They added that people have appeared who are "suddenly environmentally conscious" and who are "capable of solving all environmental problems," but they claim these people care not about nature but about power. "I sincerely hope you have recognized them and will not 'fall for it'," they warned.
The Rangers invited citizens to join them in touring problematic locations and raising awareness about environmental devastation.
"We will not stay silent, and we ask you not to either. Join us for a walk from Radonja, and if you love this city, our rivers, and forests even a little, open your eyes. The red dots are a common problem that we must solve together," they said.
They called on all who care about the environment, "regardless of political affiliation," to come out into nature together. "We are doing this for our children," they concluded in their Facebook post.
