Thirty Albanian and international experts have conducted a five-day mission along the Vjosa river and its tributaries in Permet, Tepelena, Gjirokastra and Vlora to study the rivers flora and fauna in the context of it becoming a National Park.
The work will form the basis of a plan to preserve the integrity of the ecosystem, create models to develop green tourism and sustainable agricultural development, and acquaint international experts with the local community.
The team of experts began by examining the main components of the river system, including tributaries, protected areas and natural monuments. The group travelled towards Përmet to the village of Konicë (on the border with Greece), where the flow of the Vjosa river starts to Albania, to continue with stops along the entire course of the Vjosa, including Tepelena, Gjirokastra, the stream of Kardhiqi and Zhulat (flowing branch free of Drino), visit the area of Kalivac, the valley of Bënca, Shushica, towards Brataj, Selenica, to end in the delta of Vjosa in the Adriatic (Vlora).
During stops in the areas around Përmet, Tepelena, Gjirokastra and Vlora, the experts held initial discussions and consultative meetings with stakeholders, local communities, local government, NGOs and interest groups.
During the consultative meetings, interest groups, including tourism operators, expressed their support and optimism for the benefits of the Wild River Vjosa National Park.
This study tour was the first step in the stakeholder engagement process. In the coming weeks, special meetings and workshops will be held with residents and other stakeholders, such as business representatives, in the main cities along the river.
The focus of these meetings will be the presentation of the vision of the National Park, especially in the context of new opportunities that will arise based on the conservation and preservation of the natural and socio-cultural values of the Vjosa valley.
After the study program, the group of experts is continuing to draw up a detailed master plan that will document the technical outline for the declaration of the Wild Vjosa River National Park in several phases.
All these proposals for the declaration of the wild river Vjosa, a National Park, will be accompanied by an assessment of the environmental and social impact, which will be submitted to the Ministry of Tourism and Environment and the National Agency of Natural Areas within December of this year.
