FLASH
Shkruar nga Pamfleti
A group of 26 environmental organizations, at national and local levels, have addressed an open letter to the Albanian government, expressing deep concern about the interventions in the bed and banks of the Shkumbin River. According to them, the works for the construction of the Elbasan-Librazhd-Bushtricë national road, part of Corridor VIII, are being accompanied by actions that could have a significant impact on the ecosystem.
Based on field observations, technical and visual documentation, as well as reports from local communities, organizations report changes in the river's morphology, extraction of inert materials from the bed and banks, and soil deposits near or within the water body.
According to them, these interventions could affect water quality, biodiversity, bank stability and the natural balance of the river ecosystem. They warn that the effects are already visible at this stage of the works and could worsen in the long term, endangering agricultural lands, road infrastructure, as well as homes and businesses near the river.
The letter is addressed to Prime Minister Edi Rama, Minister of Environment Sofjan Jaupaj, and the institutions responsible for water resources management and environmental monitoring.
Organizations require:
-Urgent field inspection and publication of an official report with concrete findings;
-Verification of the compliance of interventions with permits for the use of water resources and the conditions of the Environmental Impact Assessment;
-Monitoring of water quality and sediments in the affected areas;
-Development and implementation of a rehabilitation plan for the identified damages;
-Full transparency on the relevant documentation and decisions.
The organizations emphasize that the use of inert materials from the river must be carried out in full compliance with applicable technical and legal standards, warning that any deviation could bring irreparable environmental and territorial consequences.
According to the signatories, the concern raised is not against infrastructure development, but in support of sustainable and balanced development with environmental protection and public interest.
They emphasize that the Shkumbin River represents a natural asset of particular importance for local communities, agriculture, biodiversity and the ecological stability of the region. For this reason, continuous monitoring, institutional transparency and rigorous implementation of the legal framework in force are required.
Signatory organizations:
1. AlbNatyra Association
2. NORMA Center
3. Reinforce Sustainability (RESU Albania)
4. GO2Albania_Organization for Sustainable Urban Planning
5. LUMI Center - Movement for Water, Environment and Integration
6. Center for the Preservation and Protection of the Natural Environment in Albania (PPNEA)
7. Flow
8. Balance Center
9. Center for the Protection of Natural Ecosystems in Albania (EcoAlbania)
10. Unë Gruaja
11. Institute for Nature and Conservation in Albania (INCA Albania)
12. ILIRIA-Protection and Social & Environmental Development Association (PSEDA-ILIRIA)
13. Eko mëdësimi Durrës
14. AGRIEN_JOINT AGRO-ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOCIATION
15. Environmental Resource Center in Albania (REC Albania)
16. All-Green Centre
17. Milieukontakt Albania
18. Association Albanian Ornithological Society (AOS)
19. KOKSh Reporting Network
20. Young Environmental Experts Association -SHERM Albania
21. Green House
22. Institute for Environmental and Territory Management
23. Destination Management Organization
24. Korça Alpin
25. North Green Association
26. Co-PLAN, Institute for Habitat Development
Lini një Përgjigje