environment
Protecting one of Europe’s last wild rivers: a volunteering trip to the Vjosa in Albania
Now a ‘wild river national park’, the Vjosa needs more trees to be planted to preserve its fragile ecosystem. And visitors are being asked to help …
TL;DR
- Volunteers planted willow and poplar saplings along the Vjosa River in Albania.
- The Vjosa River was recently designated Europe's first 'wild river national park' by the Albanian government.
- Albania has lost a significant amount of its 'nearly natural' river stretches since 2018.
- Deforestation, fires, logging, and grazing have led to erosion and increased flood risk along the Vjosa.
- Conservation charities EcoAlbania and Riverwatch are leading efforts to protect the river.
- There are concerns about the impact of potential tourism and ongoing development, such as an airport in the river's delta.
- The government's management plan for the park has been slow to be implemented.
- The article highlights the natural beauty and cultural heritage of the Vjosa region, which is rarely visited by tourists.