The azure waters of a shallow lagoon near Albania’s Adriatic coast are home to the majestic sight of flamingos and Dalmatian pelicans. However, ecologists are concerned about the future of this avian paradise due to the construction of a new airport in the vicinity.
Environmentalists have protested against the airport’s construction near Vlora, stating that it is being built within a protected area and poses a significant risk to various bird species. Zydjon Vorspi of the Protection and Preservation of Natural Environment in Albania group argues that this project contradicts the laws of nature, as it disrupts the birds’ migration paths and threatens local and international populations.
The Narta lagoon is sustainably fed by the Vjosa river, known as Europe’s last major “wild river.” The river was granted national park status by the Albanian government in March, with support from Hollywood star Leonardo DiCaprio.
The lagoon and the nearby Karavasta estuary serve as critical grounds for millions of migratory birds traveling between northern Europe and Africa. However, the construction of the new airport is expected to directly impact the habitat, potentially causing irreversible damage to the fragile ecosystem by disrupting migratory flyways and nesting areas.
Despite these concerns, the Albanian government insists that the airport is not encroaching on protected areas and sees it as a valuable boost to tourism. Prime Minister Edi Rama states that the airport will be an added value and not a threat to the ecosystem.
‘A Better Life’
The Narta lagoon and its marshy surroundings, located a two-and-a-half-hour drive south of Tirana, provide a home to over 200 bird species, including 33 listed on Albania’s red list of endangered flora and fauna. It serves as the final destination for the Vjosa river before it reaches the Adriatic through a network of waterways and marshes that are ideal for birds.
The locals largely support the airport’s construction, hoping that it will bring much-needed jobs and development to the impoverished region. Tokli Hysa, a resident of the area, believes that the airport is a good investment for the future, providing a better life for the local community.
However, environmentalists express concerns about the potential negative impacts of mass tourism and rapid development along the coastline. They point to the disfigured coastlines in Vlora and Durres, which have been overrun with resorts and apartment blocks without proper oversight. The urbanization, combined with overfishing and climate change, has already contributed to the decline in migratory bird populations.
Ornold Bazaj, an eco-tourism agency owner, fears that the airport could ultimately destroy the pristine coastline that attracts tourists to the area. While it may have short-term benefits, he believes it will have detrimental effects on the environment and, consequently, tourism in the long run.
Disfigured Coast
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‘Goes against nature’: environmentalist Zydjon Vorpsi observes birds at the Narta lagoon in southern Albania.
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Running for cover: a stone curlew darts across the mudflats of Albania’s Narta lagoon.
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The new airport abuts Albania’s Narta lagoon, which is hugely important for migrating birds.
Activists warn that the expansion of tourism as a result of the airport could lead to further uncontrolled construction and harm the natural beauty of the coastline. They cite the decline in waterbird populations in Albania’s Divjaka-Karavasta wetlands as evidence of the negative consequences of unchecked development.
For her part, ornithologist Zydjon
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