Protests in Vilnius against Neris riverbank development

A protest took place in Vilnius on Wednesday against planned urban development along the Neris riverbank, which includes new buildings, parking lots, and the felling of trees, LRT.lt reports.

Around 150 people gathered outside the municipality building despite heavy rain. The demonstration was organised by environmental groups Fridays For Future Lietuva, Extinction Rebellion Lietuva, and the May 1st Trade Union.

Viltė Zaveckaitė of Fridays For Future Lietuva said the protest, held during record heatwaves in Europe, highlights the importance of trees. She criticised the municipality for failing to recognise the fundamental value of nature in its decisions.

The protests were triggered by urbanisation projects near Žirmūnų Street and Vingio Park, where plans include a rowing base, garages, technical buildings, parking lots, and the paving of the riverbank. Activists fear the recreational area will turn into a “technical infrastructure zone.” They also state that the municipality plans to cut down 327 mature trees.

Organisers expressed concern over the impact on natural habitats and the Neris ecosystem. The area borders a Natura 2000 protected zone, and the Environmental Protection Agency has demanded a full environmental impact assessment. The project includes deepening the riverbed, altering the shoreline, and installing infrastructure for pontoons and catamarans, which could affect the river’s natural flow, fish migration, spawning grounds, and the ecological corridor of the banks. Tree removal would reduce habitat areas, shoreline shade, and stability, while increased hard surfaces and traffic could raise pollution and urbanisation pressure in one of the riverbank’s most sensitive areas.

Protester Mantautas brought a symbolic sign—a wooden pallet with an axe and a bag of salt—representing tree destruction and excessive winter salting. He drew attention to the issue after noticing trees cut down near his home for a parking lot, with municipal approval. He criticised both Mayor Valdas Benkunskas and his predecessor Remigijus Šimašius, stating that as Vilnius loses greenery, its claims of being a green city grow louder. “Vilnius is no longer green, it’s grey and brown,” he said.

The Vilnius Municipality responded that the area near the Neris is not purely natural but one of the most urbanised yet neglected spaces along the river. The planned Žirmūnų rowing base is set for the former Grindos building site, currently an abandoned area frequented by the homeless. Local residents have repeatedly asked for its improvement, the municipality stated.

It added that over a decade ago, a detailed plan for the rowing base covered an even larger area, but the development zone was later shifted south to preserve part of the mature tree mass. The municipality also argued that the rowing base would serve not only as a training site for high-performance athletes but also for public recreation.