Since 1970, their populations (eg eel, river herring, flounder) have declined by 94%, mainly as a result of river diversion and dam construction.

Besjana Guri

After more than ten years of continuous efforts and work to preserve one of the last wild rivers in Europe, EcoAlbania, EuroNatur, Riverwatch and many other activists achieved their goal with the declaration of the Vjosa Wild River National Park. On March 15, 2023, this decision was made public by the Albanian Government through an official ceremony in one of the cities in the heart of Vjosa, in Tepelena. This is one of the historical moments for the protection of nature in Albania as well as a motivational story for many communities and activists around the world.

The National Park of the Wild River Vjosa protects its main stream and 3 of its free-flowing tributaries: Bênça, Shushica and Drino, and constitutes the first wild river park in Europe. This is a national park that exclusively protects rivers and does so over a large area, i.e. entire river systems. Rivers are among the most threatened habitat types worldwide. The example of migratory fish species in Europe shows how endangered they are. Since 1970, their populations (eg eel, river herring, flounder) have declined by 94%, mainly as a result of river diversion and dam construction.

However, the work to preserve Vjosa continues. The implementing organizations of the “Save the blue heart of Europe” campaign are focused on the well-functioning of the national park and its management according to international standards. Having a park on paper is a phenomenon that often happens in Albania and in the Balkan countries, bringing many problems on the ground and risking that the protected area remains practically unprotected and threatened by various pressures.

The Vjosa/Aoos River is one of the last great wild rivers in Europe. It flows from the mountains in Greece, where it is called Aoos, to the Adriatic Sea in Albania. Together with its tributaries, Vjosa/Aoos forms an ecosystem with high biodiversity values of national and global importance. However, the area also offers economic prospects. Ecotourism along the river and its tributaries is constantly growing, especially in recent years when the potential for activities such as rafting, canoeing, etc. has been recognized and developed.

The “Save the Blue Heart of Europe” campaign aims to protect rivers with high natural values in the Balkans, which are threatened by more than 3,400 hydropower projects. The campaign is coordinated by the international NGOs Riveratch and EuroNatur and implemented together with partner organizations in the Balkan countries. The local partner in Albania is EcoAlbania, in Greece MedINA.

 

Besjana Guri, EcoAlbania