After years of campaigning, the river Vyosa(opens in new tab) Albania became the first Wild River National Park on the continent.
Often considered ‘Europe’s last wild river’, the Vjosa and its ecosystem have faced environmental degradation in the past as the Albanian government planned to build dams and hydroelectric power plants in the area. . Conservation groups such as EcoAlbania(opens in new tab)River Watch(opens in new tab)and EuroNatur(opens in new tab)and companies including Patagonia Works(opens in new tab) It has long campaigned to protect Vjosa from such destruction through the Save the Blue Heart of Europe campaign(opens in new tab) Supported by research by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and others.(opens in new tab).
Government decision to protect 12,727 hectares(opens in new tab) Albanian Prime Minister Eddi Rama, Minister of Tourism and Environment Mirella Cumbaro, and Patagonia CEO Ryan Gellert announced in March that the region’s unique ecosystem would include developments, dams and shoals. is not compromised by any artificial barriers.
The designation of Vjosa as a wild park sets a precedent in Europe where rivers are undermined by an estimated 1 million man-made barriers. It also serves as a hopeful reminder that activism can change the course of history.
