Scandal/ Large amounts of oil spilled in Vjosa National Park, is UNESCO status at risk?

Two years ago, the Vjosa River was awarded the title of 'the last wild river in Europe.' But, in addition to the title, the Vjosa National Park today faces an extremely dangerous threat.

Ulrich Eichelmann, CEO and coordinator of the 'Blue Heart' project, has denounced the pollution of the Vjosa National Park by asphalt and oil plants, which are pouring large amounts of oil into the water of the last wild river in Europe.

The Blue Heart Rivers page has shared on Instagram some scandalous images of how the Vjosa National Park has been transformed into a dumping ground for oil and asphalt industry waste.

Eichelmann emphasizes that the oil spill is seriously threatening habitats and wildlife as he calls on the Albanian government to protect the Vjosa National Park not only in title, but also in deeds.

Two weeks ago, Minister Mirela Kumbaro announced that the Vjosa River, known as “the last wild river in Europe,” is expected to be included in the list of UNESCO-protected heritage sites, as part of the international program “Man and the Biosphere.” However, the latest scandal may call into question the acquisition of “Biosphere Reserve” status.

What the Prime Minister described as pride two weeks ago, today faces the danger that threatens Europe's last wild river, and this is because of the hand of man, who should be protecting it.

"Oil spill on the threshold of Vjosa National Park. Is this a protected landscape?"

Government oil and asphalt plants are dumping oil on the borders of the wild Vjosa River National Park, damaging the river. Just a few liters of oil can contaminate thousands of liters of water, and what is flowing here is much more, threatening habitats and wildlife downstream. This is not just pollution, it is a violation. National Park standards prohibit these threats in protected areas.

This is the worst example of river destruction I have ever seen, and the fact that it flows into the Vjosa Wild River National Park is a shame.

The designation of the National Parliament should imply action, not just a title.

These places need to be cleaned and closed.

Let's keep the Vjosa wild, not covered in oil.

"We demand that the Albanian government protect our Vjosa park now ," writes Blue Heart Rivers.