22 April 2018 - Divjaka-Karavasta National Park, "The Earth Day"

An activity of a national scale has been organised on “The Earth Day”, 22 April 2018,  in the National Park Divjake – Karavasta. It was organised  by the Network for Nature Protection in Albania in cooperation with the Regional Environmental Center - REC Albania and AdRZM Fier district, as part of the SENiOR-II program, supported by the Swedish Embassy in Albania .

This activity was organized with the support of the project; "Promoting and advocating sustainable management of natural resources and natural resources in protected areas", which is implemented in 16 Protected Areas by the organizations of the Network for the Protection of Nature in the Regions: Shkodër, Kukës, Tropoja, Ulëz, Krujë, Tiranë , Fier, Librazhd, Korça, Përmet, Dropull and Vlora.

April 22, is known throughout the world, as the International Earth Day, in order to raise awareness regarding the damages that humanity causes towards forests, rivers, lands and other natural resources, as well as to reflect about stopping further destruction.

Every year, the Earth Day has its theme, and for 2018 it is: "Stop to plastic pollution".

The tradition of Earth Day continues to be respected even today, when the nature destruction and the related problems have been deepened more than ever.

Currently in Albania, most of the natural resources are under threat of constant pressures such as illegal logging, illegal hunting, overcrowding, uncontrolled tourism and poorly managed recreational activities, erosion and land degradation, fires, mismanagement and construction of hydroelectric power plants (HEC), environmental pollution, lack of sewage and used water treatment, uncontrolled land management, chaotic constructions and infrastructure, low attention to landscape and integrated and sustainable management of natural resources, as well as the lack of alternatives for their replacement. The path followed throughout this transition period for the use of natural resources and the protection of the environment has been very destructive, with visible outcomes, in many cases irreversible, with lots of costs and severe consequences for the country's economy, and, above all, for itself human health. It is sufficient to mention here the excessive utilization of forests, the impoverished use of agricultural land, urbanization, its improper use of fertilizers and pesticides, pollution from sewage discharges and urban and industrial wastes, the conquest of the coastal sand  dunes, the constructions within protected areas, and finally, the over-exploitation of rivers for hydro-energy. Even the Environmental Protected Areas, with a special protection status, exist in a rapidly changing environment which poses threats to them, ranging from climate change, foreign species, fragmentation of natural landscapes, increasing urbanization and increasing need for natural resources.

Earth Day 2018 is committed to provide information and inspiration for a fundamental change towards human’s attitude and behavior in relationship to plastics.

The activity of 22 April was the continuation of an awareness-raising process initiated with students and communities around the 16 protected areas across the territory of Albania with a focus on conservation and conservation, minimization and reduction of plastic waste and sustainable use of natural resources . The celebration of April 22 at the National Park Divjaka - Karavasta resembled a mosaic of activities: the exhibitions of artistic works of 9 year school students in the Divjaka area, 5 thousand soft and wild pines planted in this area through the contribution provided by the representatives of civil society coming from 9 regions of Albania, as well as cleaning the territory with the active support and involvement of the teachers, parents, students community, as well as local women in the area. All together; citizens, children, young people and the elderly devoted some time to plant a tree, clearing a public area, or giving a message of civic awareness to the most sensitive environmental issues in Albania. The forwarded messages and commitment showed a very high sensitivity and interest in protecting the environment and nature. The messages given specifically by the talented youngsters and their contribution to such activities fill us with hope for a tomorrow's society, a society full of conscious and friendly with environment, nature and the planet Earth itself.