Public awareness of the moratorium on forests protection in Albania

Public Awareness of the Moratorium on Forests Protection in Albania

Activity on the world day against desertification, drought and soil degradation

June 17 is the World Day of the Fight against Desertification, Drought and Land degradation. The United Nations Convention against Desertification, Drought and Downgrading, which by abbreviation of English words is known as “UNCCD”, has been operating since 1994, while Albania has ratified this convention in Albanian Parliament on April 27 2000 and the agreement for its membership entered into force on July 26, 2000. The institution that officially represents our country in this convention is the Ministry of Environment. In this convention are included 195 countries from all continents of the world.

The Convention supports the design and implementation of strategies, programs and action plans that include all legal, administrative, technical and financial measures at national, regional and world level to combat the desertification and land degradation and foster co-operation between governments and institutions to ensure sustainable world-wide development.

Every year the convention celebrates this marked date with a special theme calling on all governments of member states to organize in this day various activities for raising awareness on issues related to the fight against this phenomenon and the impacts it gives in the desertification and degradation of soils. This year UNCCD’s focus is “Land degradation and Emigration”.

In just 15 years, the number of international emigrants worldwide has increased from 173 million in 2000 to 244 million in 2015. Environmental degradation, political instability, food insecurity and poverty are the cause of migration and development challenges.

This day should remind everyone of the important role the country has in producing food and generating local employment, as well as its ability to increase the sustainability, stability and security of countries affected by desertification and degradation.

MedAlb Institut organized today in Gramshi an activity for raising awareness of rural communities and especially young people for land protection from degradation.

Activity on raising public awareness of environmental problems on Earth Day

On the occasion of World Earth Day, April 22, MedAlb Institut, in cooperation with the “4 Deshmoret” School Directorate of Drize Village, Gramshi, organized an awareness raising activity in the premises of this school, involving pupils, teachers, citizens and representatives by local government. The event was also attended by the Deputy Mayor of Gramshi, Mr. Enver Qose.

Initially, there was a welcome speech by the representatives of Medalb Institut, Gramshi City Hall and the “4 Deshmoret” School, who emphasized the importance of celebration of this marked day around the globe, to raise awareness of governments and state institutions of all countries, citizens and scientists around the world for the protection of our planet and the sustainable management of natural resources such as land, water, forests and biodiversity.

They also stressed the treatment and care that should be shown by all of us for land protection in our country, as a priceless treasure and as an immovable property for present and future generations of Albania.

Then, together with the pupils and teachers of this school, flowers and decorative trees with permanent greenery like pine, sapwood, cypress, bushes and laurels were planted in its courtyard. Lavender, which is a plant of special medicinal and decorative value and with a greenery and lifespan of up to 25 years, was also planted there.

Two-day training course on “Forest fires and strategies for their prevention and management” in Gramshi

On March 30 and 31, 2017, in the framework of the project “Public awareness, in addition to the forest protection moratorium in Albania”, MedAlb Institut conducted in Gramshi two days of training courses on “Forest fires and strategies for their prevention and management”.

The first day of training took place on field in the village of Drize, which is surrounded by a pine forest, with the participation of the community of the area and the collective of students and school teachers of this village.

The second day of training was held in the premises of Gramsh Municipality, in cooperation with the staff of the CNVP organization. They were forestry specialists, heads of forest associations, representatives of the forestry directorate and the forestry inspectorate. Also in this activity was also the Mayor of Gramshi, Mrs. Luljeta Dollani.

In this training, besides the presentations made by the organizers, which were attended to by many participants, many questions and discussions were held about the issues related to the integrated management of the forest in general and the prevention and management of the fires in particular.

Two-day training course on “Forest Ecosystem Management” in Gramshi

On the first day of the training, on February 20, our project staff conducted two meetings and discussion sessions with students and teachers of the Gramsh Primary School as well as with the staff of the Forestry Directorate and the Municipality of Gramshi on the management of forest ecosystems. It was a very useful meeting for students and youth involvement as well as Gramshi Municipality representatives on forest management training problems and the implementation of the forest moratorium.

On February 21, 2017, we conducted in Gramsh the second day of training with the topic: “Management of forest ecosystems”. It was attended by 22 people: farmers, experts, forestry engineers, forestry directorate and Gramsh Municipality.

This training was realized in the form of a conversation between the participants and the project staff. Participants of the event showed great interest on project issues, questioned and gave their opinions and suggestions on forest management and implementation of the moratorium. An important factor is to draft and prepare plans and strategies for forest management, which will be implemented by the municipal structures. Participants in this activity also discussed forest damages from illegal logging of trees and problems with the respecting of the moratorium

Monitoring forest conditions in Tomorrice, Lenie and Grabove, Gramsh

We visited forest areas, assessed their status and took photographs. Data was collected on the issue of forest damage due to illegal logging and problems with the implementation of the forest moratorium. There were also meetings with residents of the areas who were asked about their opinions on the problem. We also photographed cases of illegal logging of woods in forests.

Training course for the community and value chain actors about the government’s moratorium on forests

Training on Forest Moratorium in Albania. This training was held in Gramshi City on December 25-26, 2016. We were invited and participated farmers, forestry engineers, regional forest association directors, Gramshi commune representatives and directorate of forestry.
The activity was developed in the form of a conversation with the participants who gave their thoughts and experiences as well as asked some questions about the issue. They appreciated the activity which promotes the public awareness of the forest moratorium as a necessary measure for good administration and protection.

Monitoring the implementation of national legislation and the moratorium on forests

On December 21, the first visit in Gramshi was made and meetings were held with representatives of Gramshi municipality and the Elbasan forestry directorate for the Gramsh region. Our project and its objectives were presented. Information on the situation and condition of forests in the Gramsh region was obtained. On December 24 and 25, a meeting was held again in Gramshi City and a follow-up was carried out on site to see and familiarize with the actual condition of the forests and forest areas of the Cogonj area and the Holta valley.

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