Protests erupt in Vilnius over Neris riverbank development plans

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 coincided with Europe’s record heatwave, highlighting the importance of trees. She criticised the municipality’s decision, stating it “shows a lack of understanding of the fundamental value of nature.”

The development projects in question involve the Žirmūnų street area and Vingio Park, where plans include a rowing base, garages, technical buildings, parking lots, and the paving of the riverbank. Activists warn this would turn a recreational space into a “technical infrastructure zone.” They also claim 327 mature trees will be cut down.

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 bank 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 felling and excessive winter salting. He drew attention to the issue after noticing trees cut down near his home for a parking lot, approved by the municipality. He criticised both current Mayor Valdas Benkunskas and his predecessor Remigijus Šimašius, stating, “The greener Vilnius is supposed to be, the more we hear propaganda that it is green. It is not green; it had the potential to be green, but now it is grey and brown.”

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 Žirmūnų rowing base is planned on the site of former Grindos buildings, currently an abandoned area frequented by the homeless. Local residents have repeatedly asked for its improvement, the municipality said.

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 noted the rowing base is intended not only for high-level athletes but for broader use.