Bosnia and Herzegovina faces agricultural and forestry crises

Bosnia and Herzegovina is facing severe environmental and economic crises driven by drought and forest fires. In the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, a lack of a unified Forest Law for 17 years has left the management of forests—which cover nearly 60 percent of the territory—fragmented across nine cantons. Minister Kemal Hrnjić noted that millions of marks remain unused due to this legislative vacuum, hindering effective fire prevention and protection.

Simultaneously, the agricultural sector is on the brink of collapse. Prolonged heatwaves and lack of rainfall have destroyed up to 90 percent of certain crops, including corn, soy, and vegetables. Farmers report massive financial losses and fear for the survival of livestock due to the rising cost of feed and heat stress on animals.

In Republika Srpska, data shows a shift in forest structures, with a decrease in land suitable for reforestation and an increase in land unsuitable for management. Meanwhile, in Serbia, authorities reported that protected natural areas have expanded to 951,000 hectares, representing over 10 percent of the country's territory, as part of efforts to mitigate the impact of increasing natural disasters.