In a dramatic move to highlight water management issues in Hungary, the Zöld Gerilla Mozgalom (ZGM) temporarily obstructed a sluice gate near Dabas, using pre-cut planks to prevent water flow in the Duna Valley main channel.

The action was part of what the group describes as a 'peasant disobedience movement,' aiming to spotlight concerns about drought risks under current water management practices.

The ZGM encourages citizens to engage local authorities and water management officials to develop local water retention strategies.

The National Water Management Directorate (OVF) responded to the action, echoing similar messages on water retention while associating it with unrelated acts of vandalism.

László Kulcsár, leader of the ZGM, acknowledged the potential legal repercussions, including penalties ranging from one to eight years in prison for disturbing public utilities.

He emphasized the act as civil disobedience meant to raise awareness rather than cause harm.

Present at the site was László Toroczkai, leader of the Mi Hazánk party, who expressed willingness to cover any fines incurred by the activists and criticized the government's lack of action regarding water retention.

He reiterated the importance of local solutions.

The planking was intended as a temporary measure without causing damage.

Before the action, ZGM notified all parliamentary parties, highlighting inadequacies in existing regulations for maintaining the landscape's viability and calling for legal reforms.

The OVF released a video featuring Attila János Kovács, a regional water management engineer, who clarified that the sluice was open due to bypass water regulation linked to maintenance work.

This regulation ensured water deliveries to the Kiskunság National Park and local fishponds while preventing contamination.

Kovács reported a second unauthorized attempt to close the sluice, involving lock removal, potentially causing environmental damage through water contamination and distribution disruption.

He advocated for regional rather than localized water management efforts, urging questions and requests to be directed to local water authorities rather than resorting to unauthorized actions.

Kulcsár clarified that ZGM's actions are conducted publicly to bring attention to water management issues and reiterated their position that others should engage with officials for legal water diversion.

While the ZGM has yet to be contacted by the OVF concerning this specific action, their efforts to engage in dialogue over water retention continue.

Kulcsár highlighted long-standing droughts as a driving force behind their actions, emphasizing the need to reconsider water management strategies that prioritize local needs.

The Zöld Gerilla Mozgalom hopes to see broader efforts in water retention, pointing to a successful collaboration near Újhartyán as a model for future cooperation between civilians and water management authorities.

The group works with the OVF on proposals to divert water from the Duna Valley main channel for environmental restoration on state lands, potentially benefiting a significant expanse of the Homokhátság region.

This signifies a shift in strategy from reliance on reforestation to reevaluating grasslands as more effective for water retention.