environment
'The birds will fly away': can Albania’s flamingo revolution keep its wetlands free from Trumps and tourists?
A luxury resort backed by the US president’s family may be built on a wildlife-rich nature reserve in one of Europe’s poorest nations
TL;DR
- A proposed luxury hotel complex by Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner is facing fierce protests in Albania.
- The development is planned for a sensitive wetland and nature reserve along the Vjosa River, a declared wild river national park.
- Environmental groups warn the project will devastate a crucial habitat for hundreds of species, including migratory waterbirds and endangered animals.
- Protests highlight a conflict between environmental protection and economic growth, with concerns over government corruption and disregard for conservation laws.
- The Albanian government states the current work is for technical surveys, not construction, but activists report ongoing destruction and fencing.
- Albania is under pressure from the EU to strengthen its environmental laws to meet accession requirements.