Vilnius Municipality to Reforest Neris Riverbank Amidst Development Controversy

The Vilnius municipality is planning to reforest sections of the Neris riverbank, signaling an intention to increase green spaces within the city. This initiative comes amidst ongoing debates and protests concerning development projects along the river.

Last week, hundreds of activists gathered near the municipality building to voice their opposition to planned intensive infrastructure development. Their concerns centered on the construction of a rowing base, garages, hydraulic structures, new river access points, and a parking lot. A significant point of contention is the proposed removal of 327 mature trees, approximately 200 of which are protected species, and the partial concreting of the riverbank.

“

We are interested in ensuring that green areas do not decrease.

Protest organizers, including environmental and climate movements "Fridays for Future Lietuva" and "Extinction Rebellion Lietuva," argue that the areas designated for development are currently public natural recreational spaces. They contend that transforming these green areas into technical infrastructure zones would fundamentally alter the character of the Neris riverbank.

“

To tidy up the neglected area and make it productive, unfortunately, it will be unavoidable to remove some existing greenery, but after the construction of the Žirmūnai rowing base, additional planting is planned both in the territory itself and next to it.

However, representatives from the Lithuanian Rowing Federation and the Lithuanian National Olympic Committee support the projects, asserting that Lithuania critically needs this type of professional sports infrastructure. In response to the concerns, the Vilnius municipality stated that the rowing base project has been adjusted. Initially planned for a larger area, the project's scope has been reduced to minimize intervention in the natural environment. The design by "Aketuri architektai," which won an architectural competition, is based on less environmental impact than previously planned detailed plans.

The municipality acknowledges that removing some trees is unavoidable but promises compensatory afforestation. They estimate 557 trees are currently on the site, some invasive, with overgrowth due to neglect. Instead of the initially planned removal of over 300 trees, they plan to plant about 100 oaks, birches, maples, pines, and fruit trees, along with approximately 3,400 smaller plants in and around the area. The municipality emphasized its interest in ensuring that green areas do not decrease.

“

Currently, there are 557 trees on the plot, some of invasive species, and due to the neglect of the territory, thickets are forming. Instead of the preliminarily planned removal of more than 300 trees, it is planned to plant about 100 oaks, birches, maples, pines, and fruit trees, and about 3.4 thousand low-growing plants.