The Government plans to declare Vjosa River a National Park, but it has to conduct a detailed study of the area first, along with a sustainable development model, declared the minister of tourism Mirela Kumbaro on tonight\u2019s \u2018Sot\u2019.<\/p>\n
Kumbaro was asked about the government’s recent decision to officially recognize Vjosa as a Natural Park instead of a National one.<\/p>\n
The minister explained that before this river and the areas surrounding it can be granted this status, the impacts of such a decision on the locals living there should be thoroughly considered.<\/p>\n
\u201cDecisions are made on the basis of research studies so that we can fully grasp what the decision to declare Vjosa a National Park can actually result in. Of course, declaring Vjosa a National Park is on our agenda but first, we need to put together an entire panorama of the types of developments we can allow because we need to give people living there a chance to make a living. So we need to have a clear plan about how we want to see this area develop,\u201d \u2013 said the minister.<\/p>\n
Kumbaro also added that now that Vjosa is a recognized Natural Park, all heavy industrial developments are banned from being constructed in the area, which means that several HEC projects have been canceled as a result.<\/p>\n
Several world-renowned personalities \u2013 including Leonardo DiCaprio \u2013 have come to Vjosa\u2019s defense, due to it being the last wild river in Europe.<\/p>\n
\nIt is time to make #VjosaNationalParkNow<\/a>. Only national park status can permanently protect the Vjosa and make it Europe’s first wild-river national park. Sign the petition: https:\/\/t.co\/PYtoynZTwj<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/B7ZgoXr25i<\/a><\/p>\n
\u2014 Leonardo DiCaprio (@LeoDiCaprio) November 17, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n