"The planned construction of a massive poultry farm near the Veliki Pažut protected reserve has sparked sharp reactions from NGOs and locals."
Međimurje County has become the epicenter of a major environmental dispute following the start of trial operations at the controversial Veliki Pažut poultry farm, located near the Hungarian border. The project, with a planned capacity of 1.8 million chickens per year, has sparked outrage among local residents and environmental organizations including Greenpeace, Zelena akcija, and Animal Friends Croatia. Activists staged a dramatic rooftop protest, painting warning messages across the facility's massive roofs as opposition continues to mount nationwide.
Threats to Pristine Nature and UNESCO Biosphere
The primary cause for alarm is the farm's location, situated just 320 meters from the Veliki Pažut Special Ornithological Reserve and close to the Mura-Drava-Danube Transboundary Biosphere Reserve under UNESCO protection. Residents and experts warn of unbearable odors, manure disposal within the sensitive river ecosystem, and potential risks of soil, air, and water contamination, severely undermining the sustainable tourism appeal of northern Croatia.
Implications for Sustainable Tourism and Local Communities
In recent years, Croatia has successfully positioned itself as a premier destination for sustainable tourism, unspoiled nature, and green travel. Industrial-scale megafarms directly threaten local biodiversity and risk deterring visitors seeking peace, clean air, and authentic rural experiences. Beyond environmental concerns, activists also highlight animal welfare issues, the heavy use of antibiotics in intensive farming, and increased heavy traffic on local roads ill-equipped for such operations.
Source: Croatia Week | Photo: Croatia Week
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