What we know so far
Heavy construction machinery has been operating inside the core of the Pishë Poro-Nartë protected zone since late April 2026. BirdLife International published a detailed documented report on 2 June 2026 accusing the Albanian government of lying to parliament about the nature of these works. Recorded and surveyed damage includes gravel dumped onto ancient sand dunes designated as Natural Monuments under Albanian law — destruction that scientists say will take hundreds of years to repair — and barbed wire fences installed across approximately 6 to 7 kilometres of coastline, blocking public beach access without legal basis. Most critically, one of the two tidal openings connecting the Narta Lagoon to the Adriatic Sea has been blocked. Conservation scientists say that closing a tidal inlet immediately disrupts the oxygen levels, salinity and food chain of the entire lagoon system, with cascading effects on the more than 200 bird species that depend on it, including greater flamingos, Dalmatian pelicans and little terns. The zone is a candidate Natura 2000 site, directly linked to Albania's European Union accession commitments. Environment Minister Sofjan Jaupaj described the works as legal geological surveys permitted under the area's Category V designation. BirdLife International and PPNEA directly disputed this, providing survey evidence and accusing the government of misrepresenting the legal status of the works to parliament. EuroNatur called for an immediate halt and a rigorous review at EU level.
Pishe Poro-Narte, Albania
Environmental organisations, public authorities, project actors and affected local communities named in source records.
8 linked evidence records are listed below.
The report is currently labelled Verified because it is supported by official documents or reliable source records listed on this page.
Full environmental assessments, monitoring reports, permits, maps and public consultation records.
This report documents currently available information about Pishe Poro-Narte, Albania. All documented material is kept separate from claims that still need checking. The page should be read together with the linked evidence records, official source documents and verification notes listed below.
The primary sources for this report include BirdLife International / EuroNatur / PPNEA / Osservatorio Balcani Caucaso. Each item listed in the evidence table below carries its own source attribution and verification status. Where official documents exist they are linked directly.
The current verification status is Verified. Save Albania assigns this label when available source documents, location evidence and independent confirmation are sufficient to support the report. The status will be updated as new evidence is submitted or becomes available through public records.
Readers are encouraged to submit additional documents, maps, photographs or source links using the form in the sidebar. All submissions are reviewed before being added to the evidence record. Nothing is published without a source check.
Evidence linked to this article
| Evidence | Type | Date | Status | Source | View |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IKMT statement on works in Pishë-Poro-Nartë/Zvërnec | Official statement | 12/05/2026 | Verified official statement | IKMT | View open_in_new |
| Decision No. 694 on Pishë Poro-Nartë protected landscape | Council of Ministers decision | 26/10/2022 | Verified | Council of Ministers / AKZM | View open_in_new |
| IKMT public request register mentioning Vjosë-Nartë/Pishë-Poro | Public request register | 2025 | Partly verified | IKMT | View open_in_new |
| European Commission Albania Report 2024 | EU enlargement report | 2024 | Verified | European Commission | View open_in_new |
| KKT agenda - resort/building permit entries | Official KKT agenda | 28/01/2025 | Verified official agenda | AZHT / KKT | View open_in_new |
| KKTU agenda - fencing and preparatory access-road works | Official KKTU agenda | 29/04/2026 | Verified official agenda | AZHT / KKTU | View open_in_new |
| European Commission Albania Report 2025 | EU enlargement report / official PDF | 04 November 2025 | Verified source; original PDF not downloaded into v2 due runtime download limitation | European Commission / DG Enlargement and Eastern Neighbourhood | View open_in_new |
| VKM No. 596 dated 25.09.2024 – Pishë Poro–Nartë map/coordinates record | Council of Ministers / planning PDF source | 25 September 2024 | Partly verified / needs document review | planifikimi.gov.al / Albanian territorial planning document repository | View open_in_new |
Timeline
- IKMT statement on works in Pishë-Poro-Nartë/Zvërnec
- IKMT public request register mentioning Vjosë-Nartë/Pishë-Poro
- European Commission Albania Report 2024
- European Commission Albania Report 2025
- VKM No. 596 dated 25.09.2024 – Pishë Poro–Nartë map/coordinates record
Why it matters
Protected areas, coastal habitats and public land decisions affect biodiversity, communities and Albania's long-term natural heritage. Clear source links help journalists, NGOs, researchers and international readers check the record for themselves.
What is still missing
Full environmental assessments, monitoring reports, permits, maps and public consultation records.
