Environmental awareness does not develop overnight. Our relationship with water evolves through experience, knowledge, and the decisions we make when we realize how important it is to protect the rivers around us.
In the second episode of the Švica.ba podcast, we explore water as a shared resource and a shared responsibility. Through local stories, experiences from Bosnia and Herzegovina, and examples of best practices from Switzerland, we open a conversation about water conservation. Swiss Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina Gabriele Derighetti and host Faruk Čaluk discuss how people in Switzerland live alongside their rivers and lakes, how water shapes not only the landscape but also the way people live, and how environmental protection, particularly the preservation of rivers and lakes, has become deeply rooted in Swiss society.
Sara Tuševljak, an environmental activist and one of the driving forces behind the “Let the Kasindolska River Flow Freely” initiative, and Hasan Handžić, Director of the Public Utility Company in Tešanj, discuss why nature conservation matters to society as a whole and how rivers can be protected and water resources managed responsibly in Bosnia and Herzegovina. From different perspectives, they demonstrate how concern for rivers can translate into concrete action, whether through citizen activism or responsible water management at the local level. Protecting water requires knowledge, responsibility, and cooperation.
Their stories raise important questions: How can Bosnia and Herzegovina make better use of its water resources? What roles do municipalities and public utility companies play? And what can be achieved when institutions and citizens work together?
Water is a shared treasure, part of the culture, habits, and relationships people develop with their environment, and its preservation is a collective responsibility. Experiences from Switzerland and Bosnia and Herzegovina show that change begins when we stop taking rivers for granted and start protecting them as a precious resource to be passed on to future generations.
What does responsible water management look like in practice, and what can each of us do?
Environmental awareness does not develop overnight. Our relationship with water evolves through experience, knowledge, and the decisions we make when we realize how important it is to protect the rivers around us. From rivers as places for swimming, socializing, and relaxation to responsible water management, we explore how a healthier relationship with nature begins with a shift in awareness and everyday habits.
Sara Tuševljak – When Love for a River Becomes a Driving Force
As an environmental activist and one of the driving forces behind the “Let the Kasindolska River Flow Freely” initiative, Sara Tuševljak demonstrates how caring for nature can grow into a movement for an entire community. Through her activism, she reminds us that protecting rivers is not only an environmental issue but also a matter of responsibility, perseverance, and the right of future generations to enjoy clean and preserved natural surroundings. Her story shows how powerful one person’s voice can become when people unite around something they are determined to protect.
Hasan Handžić – Responsible Management for a Sustainable Future
As Director of the Public Utility Company in Tešanj, Hasan Handžić discusses the importance of responsible water resource management and high-quality public utility services for citizens’ everyday lives. His experience demonstrates that water conservation requires planning, knowledge, and cooperation among local institutions, public companies, and communities. It is precisely at the local level that decisions and concrete measures can make a visible difference. His message is clear: We can preserve and responsibly use our water resources only if we treat water as a common good.
The podcast episode is also available in audio format on Spotify, Deezer, and Apple Podcasts.
