10 minutes agoVjosa River announced National Park
Periskopi(3 years ago)
(3 years ago)Albania's government has declared the National Park the Vjosa River, the last wild river in Europe. This decision was made during the Albanian executive meeting on March 13th and was made public by Environment Minister Mirela Godbarlo. “The National Park proclamation is the second category of protection that is much more [...]
This decision was made during the Albanian executive meeting on March 13th and was made public by Environment Minister Mirela Godbarlo.
“The National Park proclamation is the second category of protection that is much higher than what was held a year ago as Nature Park. We have extended this area of protection to 12,727 hectares that are the entire water surface, river shore, along with the surface of the river and the three branches of the Vjo River, Drino, Bench, Sushica, do what is needed today for the first wildlife park in Europe”, said Godbaro.
The announcement of the Vjosa National Park River means that no construction will be allowed that violates the game, including the hydropower plants that have caused major debate in Albania, but have also brought the response of several international organisations.
Minister Godbarto said that soon the management plan of this area will be drafted, which will determine where traditional areas, eco-tourism, and where the strict defence will be and no interference will be allowed.
In January of this year, the Vjosa River received the status Park Nature. The launch of construction of several hydropower plants on the Vjosa River alarmed many local and foreign environmentalists, who launched a campaign to protect this river.
Earlier, Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama has declared that <x0palyja as National Park will enrich generations that will inherit Vjosa in a way that is a new untraceable route to Europe”.
He has also declared that the government has cancelled its construction plans for eight hydropower plants in Vjo and its branches that would produce electricity.
According to environmentalists, dams would have caused serious damage in the river.
The 600km-long Vjosa River flows from forested slopes of Greece's Pindi Mountains to Albania's Adriatic coast.
Scientists say the Vjosa ecosystem is home to 1,100 species, 13 of which are at great risk of extinction. Vjosa also has ecological, cultural and economic value for the 60,000 Albanians living on its shores.
