The Albanian government decided to proclaim River Vjosa, the Valley of Shala, and the Park of Munella as protected areas.
Natural Park: River Vjosa and Valley of Shala
National Park: Park of Munella
The development was confirmed by tourism minister Mirela Kumbaro following a council of ministers meeting on Wednesday.
Minister Kumbaro said that the parties involved came under e heated debate but eventually set their differences aside over the decision to proclaim Vjosa a National Park.
According to Kumbaro, the area of the protected territory in Albania has expanded from 18% to 21%, adding that preparations are underway to compile new strategies to protect these areas and boost tourism.
However, environmental activists have long called on granting Vjosa’s the National Park status, which would ban any type of construction.
In the last three decades, the intent has been to build 45 hydro powerplants, of which 8 right in the Vjosa River, while others on its branches.
The main source of River Vjosa is in the Pindus Mountains flowing for 70 kilometers, from its total of 270 kilometers, alongside Greek territory and then crossing through Albania and draining into the Adriatic Sea, just north of the Narta Lagoon, and it is widely referred to as Europe’s last wild river.
A great portion of its habitat is yet waiting to be explored. In a week-long expedition during 2017, scientists discovered over 300 species, some of which were endemic. Experts believe that the species will be endangered by projects planned by the Albanian authorities.
That is why environmentalists have long been appealing for the entire River Vjosa to be declared a National Park in order to protect its flow from future plans.
Hollywood actor Leonardo Di Caprio has been among the most influential figures to rally behind the campaign to protect the so-called ‘Europe’s last wild river’.
Granting the Vjosa River status as a national park would protect the area from dams and a new threat from oil and gas drilling. #VjosaNationalParkNow https://t.co/evi71o1Mg2
— Leonardo DiCaprio (@LeoDiCaprio) May 6, 2021
