The session #6 of the winter school on environmental challenges at the local and European levels.
The meeting was led by Joni Vorpsi, an environmental expert from PPNEA, and focused on the importance of protecting nature and the sustainable management of natural resources to ensure their availability for future generations.
As a case study, the construction of the Vlora Airport in the protected area of Pishë Poro-Nartë was discussed, a crucial habitat for flamingos and migratory birds, along with the negative environmental impacts of this development. Legal changes that allow construction in Protected Areas for economic and tourism reasons were also mentioned, as well as concerns about the lack of transparency and limited community involvement in decision-making.
At the local level, the situation in Lezhë was discussed regarding the exploitation of natural resources and the impact of human actions on the environment. At the European level, the focus was on EU environmental legislation and Albania’s challenges in meeting the EU criteria. The new Nature Restoration Law was highlighted, which requires every EU country to restore 30% of habitats by 2030.
The session concluded with a discussion of PPNEA’s documentary calling for the halt of the Vlora Airport construction and its impact on the Vjosë-Nartë National Park.
