TIRANA, Nov. 30 – Albania’s valleys offer a wide range of natural diversification both for the country and the region. The Kune-Vain valley in Lezhà« was the first area to be declared protected in Albania, 77 years ago. Though the valley was damaged after 1990 due to illegal hunting and unplanned construction around it, the implementation of a moratorium prohibiting hunting has led to the recuperation of the valley’s flora and fauna and the return of some long-gone species of birds.
Kune-Vain was not only declared a protected area 77 years ago, but was also officially named the State Hunting Reservoir. Located within 55km from Tirana, the valley now holds the status of Managed Natural Reservoir and is considered one of Albania’s treasures. In addition to illegal hunting and construction, the habitat was also damaged from waste and industrial pollution and coastal erosion. This brought the extinction of some rare colonies of birds and the loss of the reservoir’s natural beauty.
However, the enforcement of a moratorium that prohibits illegal hunting during the last two years has brought real improvement to the area’s diversification. In addition to this moratorium, the Albanian government is also cooperating with the Environmental Program of the UN, which granted almost $2milion to the Albanian government for the habitat’s renovation based on the best environmental and economic project for the area.
“We monitor the valley every day to define the species and numbers of birds. You’ve noticed it’s hundreds of birds. We haven’t had problems because the surrounding community is now aware they shouldn’t use hunting guns around the valley,” Pjetà«r Toni, of the Protected Areas Agency, told the Voice of America.
Toni also listed the different types of birds returning to the valley, some of which, like the pelican and flamingo, declared extinct since 1993. Toni told the VoA the valley hosts around 400 flamingos, moving between the areas of Kune and Vain and around 25 pelicans. As the species of birds keep increasing by the day, Toni said the valley can now be again called like the old experts did – “birds’ maternity ward” .
Around 4,400 hectares, the valley houses around 227 types of plants and 196 types of birds. Meanwhile, the valley’s residents note that the moratorium’s execution has improved the condition of the valley’s ecosystem, as well as significantly increased tourism in the area. Different residents report that the difference between the valley’s conditions now as opposed to a few years back is drastic, and that no one could have imagined this level of improvement was possible. Nonetheless, raising awareness among the area’s inhabitants is an ongoing process for which efforts from both institutions and other environmental organizations operating in the area should not stop.
