An international community of scientists who have studied and supported the conservation of the Vjosa River and its delta has expressed deep concern over recent interventions in the area, including the commencement of construction activities for a large-scale tourism resort and plans for additional developments in the delta.
Over the past decade, the Vjosa River system has attracted considerable international attention and strong support from the scientific community for its outstanding nearnatural condition. In 2023 its exceptional value has been formally recognized by the Albanian government through the establishment of the Vjosa Wild River National Park.
However, the delta region has not yet been included in this protection framework. The Vjosa Delta together with the Narta lagoon represents one of the most valuable coastal ecosystems in the Mediterranean. Its lagoons, dunes, wetlands and coastal habitats support numerous species of national and international conservation importance and provide essential ecosystem services. Current proposals for rapid, large-scale, luxury tourism development would cause irreversible harm to this unique ecosystem and are therefore unacceptable and in violation of the legal status of the protected area Pishe-Poro-Narte.
In their call, the undersigned scientists warn that rapid, large-scale tourism development in this area could cause irreversible damage to this unique ecosystem. They call for a cautious and balanced development approach grounded in ecological sustainability and consistent with the protection of the area’s exceptional natural values.
The international science community endorsing this petition calls for a cautious and balanced development strategy grounded on the principles of ecological sustainability as recently demanded by the European Parliament.
The undersigned scientists call upon the Government of Albania to:
Cancel the destructive projects in the Vjosa Delta
Ensure the comprehensive protection of the Vjosa Delta by integrating it into the Vjosa Wild River National Park, safeguarding the ecological connectivity between the river, its floodplain and the delta
Develop a nature friendly eco-tourism that is in line with its extraordinary ecological value. We are available to contribute to the development of such a concept.
Read the full document and the complete call from the international scientific community below.
