Elbasan, 18.04.2024. The round of workshops with local actors, for the consultation of the Action Plan of the ecological corridor “Polis-Valamarë-Rungajë-Moravë-Gramoz”, is concluded. The last meeting was held in Elbasan, with the participation of the representatives from municipalities (Librazhd, Gramsh, Prrenjas, Maliq, Pogradec, Skrapar) as well as representatives of prefectures (Elbasan, Korçë, Berat), Administrations of protected areas (Elbasan, Korçë, Berat), local environmental NGOs and representatives of the tourism sector. This meeting aimed to get the final opinions of all local actors together, to confirm the vision, objectives and activities jointly agreed in the action plan for the sustainable development of this ecological corridor.
A key point in presenting the Action Plan was emphasizing the importance of integrating ecological connectivity concepts into territorial planning strategies and the broad involvement of the community, strong collaboration among all stakeholders, and the promotion of sustainable tourism development as essential elements for achieving effective management of ecological corridors, a concept that is innovative and legally unaddressed in our country.
There was also discussed that the commitment and active participation of representatives from institutions and local communities are the best guarantees for maintaining ecological connectivity between these protected areas, including the National Parks of “Mali i Tomorrit” and “Shebenik,” and the free movement of significant species such as the Balkan Lynx, Wolf, and Brown Bear.
This Action Plan, prepared with financial support from PONT, will primarily serve local governance units in guiding their policies toward mitigating impacts that threaten the ecological corridor “Polis-Valamarë-Rungajë-Moravë-Gramoz,” contributing to the promotion of sustainable use of natural resources that will foster the socio-economic development of local communities.
