Bënça River, a tributary to Vjosa River © E. Loçe
In the framework of the “Save the Blue Heart of Europe” campaign as well as in fulfilling the mission of the “Protecting Rivers” initiative, environmental NGOs have signed a declaration to protect the Bënça River.
In the valley of Bënça are planned to be built 5 HPP-s, while 2 of them have already started the construction, threatening nature monuments protected by Albanian law, such as: the Canyons of Nivica, the Waterfall of Progonat, Erosive Terraces of Bënça, Buza e Bredhit Luzat and the integrity of all the Vjosa basin, who is regarded as one of the unique rivers across the continent.
Rather than economic benefits, these projects have become a source of conflict between local communities and concessionary companies, causing revolts not only of the community around but of all the valley’s residents.
Through this declaration we, Albanian NGOs strongly oppose the projects in the Bënça valley because we believe that this valley represents precisely “the heart” of a potential National Park that includes all the Vjosa valley.
To see the signed Declaration please click here here
