There are more flamingos in Narta, but their future is threatened

The Narta lagoon, which is considered by biologists to be among the untouched natural areas of Europe, has marked this year the largest population of flamingos. But according to researchers, their habitat is endangered by plans for the development of constructions in function of mass tourism. The large international airport of Vlora is being built very close to the area where the flamingos live.

The Narta lagoon this year has given impressive views of large flamingo colonies. The landscape, valued by biologists as one of Europe's unspoilt natural areas, changes colors from time to time while in the heart of the lagoon flamingos search for food in large colorful armies.

Bird researcher Mirjan Topi says that this year a record number of flamingos was recorded in the Narta Lagoon.

"This year's summer marked a new record in terms of the number of flamingos in the Narta Lagoon with about 5,300 individuals, which make up about 4% of the European population of this species. This makes this area one of the most important wetlands in the Mediterranean, not only for flamingos, but also for other bird species," he says.

The ecological quality of the area has influenced the growth of flamingo populations, although they do not nest in Albania, says Mr. Topi. But according to him, the developments of the construction projects are expected to bring concern for the flamingo colonies in the area of ​​the protected landscape.

"I actually find it difficult, based on the current circumstances of the disturbance that is constantly generated in the protected landscape of Vjosë-Nartë, for flamingos to create nesting conditions, because in that area, as is known, an airport is being built and there are plans for the construction of large structures for mass tourism etc... etc, which basically destroy what is called the ecological integrity of the ecosystem and consequently affect the populations not only of flamingos, but of all wild birds"

According to the Albanian government, the construction of the airport of Vlora brings a touristic development of this region and improves the economy of the inhabitants, while the Albanian organizations for the protection of the environment have opposed these plans.

The representative of the organization for the protection of nature, Zydjon Vorpsi, says that the environmental organizations have filed a lawsuit against the state bodies that allowed the construction of the airport in a protected landscape while the trial is still in its initial stages.

"There are several environmental issues that are in court. What can be seen in the case of Vlora Airport is that the court has dragged the case more by following it from one level to another and has not yet managed to start the case by not legitimizing even the organizations in the first instance, a right that the Aarhus Convention and the Supreme Court have given. This is very damaging as the works there continue. Despite the fact that it is a new precedent, it can be repeated for other reasons, causing the departure of local residents, the demotivation of those who are protecting the environment, to no longer preserve natural resources", says Mr. Vorpsi.

While bird researcher Mirian Topi says that "unfortunately, the new Law on Protected Areas already allows the construction of large infrastructures in Protected Areas, which means the development of mass tourism, which is essentially unsustainable."

The works for the construction of the Airport continue and are expected to be completed, according to the authorities, within this year to give way next year to the preparations for the further operation of the airport.

Meanwhile, in two areas in Zvrnec and Sazan, the American entrepreneur Jared Kushner has also proposed investments in tourism.

The investment includes a complex of the luxury chain "Aman" in Sazan, while hotels and villas with a capacity of 10,000 rooms are expected to be built in the area of ​​Zvrnec according to the plan. VOA