In a world where natural habitats are increasingly under threat from human interference, the Narta Lagoon in southern Albania represents a fragile sanctuary for countless bird species. But this idyllic paradise is now facing a grim future as the Albanian government plans to build an international airport in the heart of this nature preserve, jeopardizing the ecosystem that so many birds call home.
The YouTube documentary “Natural paradise under threat in Albania – Will the Lagoon be saved? | DW Documentary” sheds light on the passionate efforts of Joni, an environmentalist, and his organization, to halt the completion of the airport. The lagoon houses over 200 species of native and migratory birds, and is a critical area for the preservation of rare bird species across Europe. Yet, as Joni and his team tirelessly collect data and present it to the government, their efforts seem to fall on deaf ears.
The video also introduces us to professors and students from the University of Tirana, who are studying the Vjosa river and the surrounding region, aiming to prove its ecological significance. The region’s freshwater reserves and diverse habitats provide a crucial lifeline for certain bird species, making the government’s disregard for this natural wonder all the more distressing.
As we delve into the complex and heart-wrenching battle to save the Narta Lagoon, we are forced to confront questions about the priorities of governments, the importance of conservation efforts, and the delicate balance between human progress and the preservation of our planet’s irreplaceable natural wonders. Join us as we explore the threats facing this natural paradise and the valiant efforts to see it saved.
Table of Contents
- The Threat to Narta Lagoon
- The Impact of the International Airport
- The Endangered Dalmatian Pelicans
- Government Inaction: Ignoring Crucial Data
- Ecological Diversity in the Region
- Protection of Freshwater Reserves
- Q&A
- Closing Remarks
The Threat to Narta Lagoon
Joni and his organization have been providing the government with essential data on the bird population and the ecological diversity of the region, but they feel their efforts are being ignored. The ongoing construction of the airport is illegal, lacking public hearings, consultations, and environmental impact assessments. The natural balance and the habitat of species such as the glossy ibis and the Plegadis falcinellus could be at risk. Will Joni and his team be able to halt the completion of the airport and save the Narta Lagoon?
The Impact of the International Airport
Furthermore, biologists and geologists from the University of Tirana have been collecting data on the Vjosa river, which is crucial for the survival of certain species. The freshwater reserves south of Zvernec are the only place where these species can survive. The ecological diversity of this region is undeniable, yet the construction of the airport poses a significant threat to the habitat and survival of these vulnerable species. It’s a race against time to halt the airport’s completion and save the natural paradise of the Narta Lagoon.
The Endangered Dalmatian Pelicans
For years, Joni and his organization have been counting all the native and migratory birds in this lagoon. There are over 200 species, and the numbers are rising. This area is crucial for the preservation of rare bird species across Europe. But Albaniaís government doesnít seem to care, Joni says. These numbers are also provided to the government, so they can have better management interventions. All these datas, it seems like they are not ever seen, ever observed. It seems as if they are like somewhere in a dusty place in the offices of the government, of the decisionmakers. Further on, we meet professors and students from the University of Tirana. For many years biologists and geologists have been collecting data on the Vjosa river, that drains into the Mediterranean not far from here. They are looking to prove how ecologically diverse this region is. Plegadis falcinellus, look how many there are. Wow, theyíre huge! Those are glossy ibisses – they’re twice as big as you usually see. Professor Ferdinand Bego explains that this region is crucial for certain species. This area might seem unimportant, but it’s their habitat. These freshwater reserves south of Zvernec are the only place they can survive.
Government Inaction: Ignoring Crucial Data
Zydjon Vorpsi, friends call him Joni, loves taking pictures of birds. It’s also his job to count them. He works for the environmental NGO “Protection and Preservation of Natural Environment in Albania”, or PPNEA for short. He’s been out here for three weeks. His job requires patience. Sometimes, it takes days to spot a rare bird species. Oh yes, I was known for my patience since I was really young. I used to play basketball and one of the things the coach used to tell me was that I should keep being patient as I was, and should suggest to others to be patient as well.
Heís worried about the Dalmatian pelicans. They come here in search of food and fly directly over the area where the airfield is planned to be built. A species that is bouncing back now, but still considered critically endangered, will be more threatened tomorrow because one of their main habitats will not be easily accessible. So, it is really hard for the pelicans to get used to the hours of flights, and this will also pose a threat to the aircraft as well. For years, Joni and his organization have been counting all the native and migratory birds in this lagoon. There are over 200 species, and the numbers are rising. This area is crucial for the preservation of rare bird species across Europe.
But Albania’s government doesn’t seem to care, Joni says. These numbers are also provided to the government, so they can have better management interventions. All this data seems to not be seen or observed. It seems as if it is somewhere in a dusty place in the offices of the government, with the decision-makers. Further on, we meet professors and students from the University of Tirana.
For many years, biologists and geologists have been collecting data on the Vjosa river, which drains into the Mediterranean not far from here. They are looking to prove how ecologically diverse this region is. Plegadis falcinellus, look how many there are. Wow, they’re huge! Those are glossy ibises – they’re twice as big as you usually see. Professor Ferdinand Bego explains that this region is crucial for certain species. This area might seem unimportant, but it’s their habitat. These freshwater reserves south of Zvernec are the only place they can survive.
Ecological Diversity in the Region
A sanctuary for birds in southern Albania, the Narta Lagoon is home to over 200 species, both native and migratory. This area is crucial for the preservation of rare bird species across Europe. However, the government’s decision to build an international airport nearby poses a serious threat to the habitat and survival of these birds.
Joni, from the environmental NGO ”Protection and Preservation of Natural Environment in Albania”, has been diligently counting the birds in the lagoon and providing the data to the government for better management interventions. Unfortunately, it seems that the government is turning a blind eye to the ecological importance of this region, disregarding the valuable information provided and proceeding with the construction of the airport.
| Species | Threatened by |
|---|---|
| Dalmatian Pelicans | Planned airfield construction |
| Glossy Ibises | Lack of habitat due to urban development |
Furthermore, the region’s significance for certain species, such as the freshwater reserves south of Zvernec, cannot be overstated. The University of Tirana’s professors and students have been collecting data on the Vjosa river to prove the ecological diversity of this area and emphasize the importance of preserving it.
Protection of Freshwater Reserves
A sanctuary for birds in southern Albania, the Narta Lagoon is home to over 200 species of native and migratory birds, including the Dalmatian pelican, which is still critically endangered. However, the government is building an international airport nearby, which poses a significant threat to the lagoon and its inhabitants. Joni, an environmental activist, is concerned about the impact the airport will have on the birds, as well as the lack of consultation, environmental impact assessment, and overall government indifference to the preservation of this crucial natural habitat.
| Pelican Population: | Over 2000 individuals. |
| Government Actions: | Building an international airport nearby. |
| Environmental Impact: | Threat to rare bird species and their main habitat. |
Joni and his organization, PPNEA, have been actively collecting data on the bird population and their habitats, which they provide to the government for better management interventions. However, their efforts seem to have fallen on deaf ears, with the government showing no regard for the preservation of this natural paradise. The region is also crucial for certain species and is the only place they can survive, making it even more imperative to protect the freshwater reserves in southern Albania.
Q&A
Q: What is the Narta Lagoon in southern Albania known for?
A: The Narta Lagoon in southern Albania is known for being a sanctuary for birds, with over 200 species of native and migratory birds, making it a crucial area for the preservation of rare bird species across Europe.
Q: What threat does the Narta Lagoon face?
A: The Narta Lagoon faces the threat of having an international airport built nearby, right in the middle of the nature preserve.
Q: Who is Joni and what is his role in the protection of the Narta Lagoon?
A: Joni, also known as Zydjon Vorpsi, is a member of the environmental NGO ìProtection and Preservation of Natural Environment in Albaniaî, and his job is to count the birds in the Narta Lagoon and raise awareness about the environmental impact of building an international airport in the area.
Q: What impact would the construction of an airport have on the birds in the area?
A: The construction of an airport in the area would pose a significant threat to the birds in the Narta Lagoon, particularly the Dalmatian pelicans, as it would disrupt their main habitat and increase the risk of collisions with aircraft.
Q: How has the Albanian government responded to concerns about the construction of the airport near the Narta Lagoon?
A: According to Joni, the Albanian government has not responded to concerns raised about the construction of the airport near the Narta Lagoon, and the environmental data collected by organizations like his have not been acted upon by decision-makers.
Q: What is the significance of the Vjosa river in the region?
A: The Vjosa river, which drains into the Mediterranean not far from the Narta Lagoon, is significant for certain species of birds and is the only place where they can survive, making it crucial for their habitat.
Q: What is being done to protect the natural paradise in Albania?
A: Environmental organizations, professors, and students are working to collect data and raise awareness about the ecological diversity and importance of the region, in an effort to halt the completion of the airport and protect the Narta Lagoon and surrounding areas.
Closing Remarks
The fight to save Narta Lagoon in Albania continues, with passionate environmentalists like Joni and organizations like PPNEA working tirelessly to preserve the natural paradise in the face of potential threats posed by a new international airport. With over 200 species of native and migratory birds depending on the lagoon for survival, the stakes are high. The ongoing battle highlights the importance of environmental conservation and the need for greater government intervention. Let’s hope the voices of Joni, Professor Bego, and their colleagues are heard, and that Narta Lagoon is saved from destruction. Only time will tell if the birds and the paradise that is Narta Lagoon will survive or not.
