By ambassador of Denmark, Niels Severin Munk
When the sun is high on the sky in warm summer weekends, the cool heights of Dajti Mountain and the drizzling shore of Durres are favourite places to retreat. Citizens of Tirana are privileged to have mountains and sea very near their capital. We Danes can only envy this wonderful position of your capital in the midst of a very rich nature. Added to this, you have plenty of forestland, fresh water and other natural resources and approximately 300 days with sunshine. We have – I believe – almost the same number of grey days in Denmark!.
Therefore it touches my soul, when I see the beautiful forest and grass slopes of Dajti National Park violated due to negligence and disrespect for the environment. Garbage is everywhere. The tourism potential of Dajti is obvious and I do believe income from entrance fees, taxes and other fees is available, and could be expected to go a long way to keep the place cleaner. However, improving the garbage situation requires an effective public-private partnership.
The Dajti Express cable car is a wonderful facility and a tangible sign of tourism development for the capital and the Albanian society. It is a blessing for the Tironsit and tourists visiting Tirana, longing for the freshness of altitude and splendid views. But with the easy access by cable car and by road also comes responsibility and care for maintaining the environment. It is high time to turn the ‘Garbage Mountain’ overlooking the city into a clean and beautiful environment. Protecting Albania’s oldest national park, which has been the lungs of the city for generations, should be a priority for all nature loving people, not only for the surrounding communes and the municipality, but also for the businesses profiting from the large number of visitors.
What to do?
Undoubtedly many helpful initiatives could be started. A glance at my two pictures reveals the need for a sponsor to put more garbage bins into action. The many restaurants on the top of Dajti Mountain and on the access road might take a joint initiative to assist the cash strapped commune and park administration by sponsoring more garbage bins. This effort has marketing value as Corporate Social Responsibility and is also a sound business strategy. The responsible authorities being Dajti Commune and the administration of Dajti National Park have to support the initiatives by emptying the garbage bins with the necessary short intervals – and always right after weekends and national holidays. In addition a campaign must be initiated to make people collect their garbage, before they leave the picnic sites. Citizens can also help by reporting to the proper authorities, if garbage bins are not available in sufficient quantities and not emptied regularly.
Cleaning Mount Dajti could be a worthy effort to strengthen public-private ownership to keep Albania cleaner. There is a local interest as well as an international. The press plays a crucial role in covering and reporting about the situation and relevant initiatives.
As a frequent visitor by car and by Dajti Express I have often guided friends and family on the mountain slopes. The comments are always the same: ‘This is so beautiful – if you take all that garbage away!’ I sincerely hope that adding my personal appeal will inspire to initiate improvements. It is possible. With proper promotion – also in schools – it can help to turn the trend for future generations. People and nature need it. Not only on Mount Dajti.
