Excavations in Karavasta Lagoon Pose a Threat to Ramsar Site

TIRANA, July 29
The Protection and Preservation of Nature Environment in Albania (PPNEA) has denounced a case of infrastructural works that are going on within the territory of Divjaka-Karavasta National Park. PPNEA appeals to competent institutions to stop the works in Karavasta lagoon, which also is the most fragile ecological area of the park.
“The most important wetland area in Albania, the only nesting place for the Dalmatian pelican is directly threatened by interventions projects which are still unclear and not made available to the public,” PPNEA said in a Facebook status update.
Based on the association’s observations and photos excavation machinery installed inside the lagoon are digging to open a channel along the entire length of the lagoon and according to local sources, the aim is to turn the channel navigable for boats.
“The site where workings are performed is strictly protected and any infrastructural intervention is strictly prohibited by law. Therefore, it breaks the environmental law as a protected area, in this case, the status of a National Park and the international Ramsar Convention where Karavasta lagoon as the core area of the park is protected since 1995 as a wetland of international significance,” PPNEA highlights.
The association demands the immediate reaction of responsible authorities and stop this intervention with disastrous consequences in an area of such biological importance, not only at the national level.
On the other hand, there is no reaction by part of the responsible institutions.
News source: BW
Photo Credit: PPNEA