# Environmental degradation and unauthorized river activities > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/environmental-degradation-and-unauthorized-river-activities > Updated: 2026-08-21T08:54:00.000Z. Sources: 2. Developments: 2. Environmental monitoring and law enforcement efforts in Italy have highlighted various forms of unauthorized riverbed activity and ecological threats. In the Tagliamento River, a volunteer-led project titled ‘Mille occhi sul Tagliamento’ has documented damage caused by unregulated motor-vehicle access and excavation works. Volunteers reported that the removal of gravel at certain points threatens fish passage, noting that a lack of adequate controls in certain areas allows for activities that exacerbate drought and water-security concerns. In a separate incident involving the Sele river, the Carabinieri Forestali reported an individual for constructing unauthorized access ramps to facilitate water extraction for irrigation. Authorities also discovered abandoned special waste within the Foce Sele-Tanagro Regional Nature Reserve. Regional officials have warned that such arbitrary interventions to riverbanks can compromise hydraulic safety and soil defense. ## Timeline ### 2026-08-21: Sele river bank modifications reported in Italy Authorities in Italy have reported unauthorized riverbank modifications and illegal waste disposal along the Sele river within a regional nature reserve. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/sele-river-bank-modifications-reported-in-italy ### 2026-07-24: Volunteer Monitoring Highlights Damage and Drought in Italy's Tagliamento River Volunteers monitoring Italy's Tagliamento river report unmarked excavations, unauthorized vehicle access and drying sections, urging authorities to act amid deregulation and regional water‑security concerns. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/volunteer-monitoring-highlights-damage-and-drought-in-italys-tagliamento-river --- Cite as: Environmental degradation and unauthorized river activities. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/environmental-degradation-and-unauthorized-river-activities