SOCIO-ECONOMIC ACITIVITIES AND THEIR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT IN THE PRESPA REGION

1. SOCIO-ECONOMIC ACITIVITIES AND THEIR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT IN THE PRESPA REGION Author Prof.Dr.Sabri LA�I (University of Tirana) Prof.Dr.Narin PANARITI (Ministry of the Environment) Presented by Dr. Merita Dollma (Academy of Sciences)

2. Satellite images of the region

3. General data of Prespa region Micro Prespa -Total lake surface 47.4 km2 -Total catchment basin surface 189 km2 - 1750 inhabitants (villages around small Prespa) Macro Prespa - Total surface 259.4 km2 - Total catchment basin surface 2,029 km2 - Liqenas commune 4150 inhabitants

4. Economic activities 1944-2004 Aagricultural activity - Cereals Fruit trees Vineyards Stockbreeding The area owns about 2300 cows, 4000 sheep, 8500 goats, 1300 pigs and 400 bee houses. Fishing Fish species fished in the lakes are the Prespa bleak (Alburnus alburnus prespensis), carp (Cyprinus carpio), nose (Chondrostoma prespensis) Forestry Oak area 63% Beech area 15% Pinus nigra and Pinus silvestris 270 ha Shrub area Land use Arable soils 20% Forests and pastures 70% Wetlands 10%

6. Social economical activities impacts in the water environment of Prespa lakes Deposition of the sediments Water pollution Degradation of the lake Flora and founa damage Overfishing

7. Legislation Decree 80/1999 of the Council of Ministers, Prespa National Park was established, including a surface of 27,750 ha. The Prespa National Park covers the entire catchment area and is composed by three zones: protected zone I (strictly protected area) protected zone II (managed zone) protected zone III (development zone) The law on �Water Reserves� The law on �Urban Planning� The law on �Development of areas with tourism priority� The law on �The procedures of declaration the protected areas� The law on �The administration of the protected areas� etc.

8. Protected areas of Prespa region

9. Objective 1 Conservation of ecological values, functions and biological diversity in the Prespa Park area. A number of measures would be recommanded: wise management of water resources sustainable utilization of resources around Prespa lakes adopting a joint monitoring system of the natural and socio-economic parameters and completing the necessary documentation and records on various issues related to Prespa region - promotion of information and protection of the whole catchment basin, rather than the restricted part of Prepsa Lakes.

10. Objective 2 Enhance opportunities for the sustainable economic and social development of the local societies and the wise use of the natural resources for the benefit of nature, local economies and future generations. A number of measures would be recommended: promotion of balanced rural development planning solution of the land ownership conflicts, re-vision of the structure of the agricultural economy following the market needs promotion of organic agriculture use of environmentally friendly technologies promotion of eco-tourism and agro-tourism improvement and maintenance of all kinds of infrastructure promotion of the multi-cultural character of the region utilization of the local res

11. Objective 3 Preservation of cultural values such as monuments, traditional settlements and traditional human activities and cultural elements that promote the sustainable management of natural resources. A number of measures would be recommended: - maintenance of the prehistoric and historic monuments - promotion of the Byzantine monuments and traditional settlements of the area

12. Objective 4 Seek participation, cooperation and involvement in decision-making and in benefit or loss sharing of stakeholders in the three countries. A number of measures would be recommended: - promotion of exchange of information, knowledge, experience and know-how between all stakeholders - introduction of new participatory methods and approaches.

13. Conclusion Obviously, a combination of the tradition with the modern management principles on the Albanian part of the Prespa Park would not only promote tourism and the local values, but would bring as a result to the desired sustainable tourism and agricultural development. These efforts should be combined with the efforts already started by the neighboring Greece and FYROM.

14. Faleminderit ! Thank you !