{"id":14640,"date":"2021-05-28T17:22:54","date_gmt":"2021-05-28T17:22:54","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/euronews.al\/en\/?p=14640"},"modified":"2021-05-28T18:24:53","modified_gmt":"2021-05-28T18:24:53","slug":"court-overthrows-companies-request-to-build-a-dam-in-vjosa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/euronews.al\/en\/court-overthrows-companies-request-to-build-a-dam-in-vjosa\/","title":{"rendered":"Court turns down company\u2019s request to build a dam in Vjosa"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Administrative Court of Tirana has overturned claims for the Environmental Impact Assessment to companies seeking to build the Kalivac dam in Vjosa.<\/p>\n

\u201cAyen Enerji\u201d and \u201cFusha sh.p.k\u201d consortium filed a suit against the Albanian government after the Ministry of Tourism and Environment refused to approve the Environmental Impact Assessment, which would have then paved the way to building the dam. Both companies now argue that the decision was \u201cunjust\u201d.<\/p>\n

The environmental organization EcoAlbania, which has been following the case closely, released a press statement noting that the Court dismissed the companies\u2019 claims as \u201cfundamentally groundless\u201d.<\/p>\n

EcoAlbania, along with international NGOs such as EuroNatur, Riverwatch, as well as 39 locals from Kalivac were strongly in support of the ministry\u2019s decision warning that the construction of a dam would severely undermine biodiversity as well as the lives of the surrounding communities.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe presented in court the argument made by many foreign and local scientists that have criticized the Environmental Impact Assessment report compiled by the companies\u201d, said Vladimir Meci, one of the attorneys.<\/p>\n

For at least seven years, various environmental groups have called on the Albanian government to designate the entire area as a National Park in order to protect the free flow of the River Vjosa.<\/p>\n

Their request has echoed in the international community, including renowned actor and environmental activist Leonardo DiCaprio.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe welcome the decision of the court and I think that this is another message to the Albanian government to renounce once and from all from building dams and declare as soon as possible Vjosa a National Park\u201d, wrote EcoAlbania.<\/p>\n

In December 2020, the government gave the status \u201cNatural Park\u201d to various parts of Vjosa, however, environmentalists fear that it is not enough and the threat for future construction plans is still there.<\/p>\n

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