26 environmental organizations requested urgent institutional measures for the reported interventions in the Shkumbin riverbed along the Elbasan-Librazhd-Bushtricë road segment, as according to them, infrastructure works related to Corridor VIII are endangering the river ecosystem and the safety of surrounding communities.
"Interventions in the bed and banks of the Shkumbin River are disrupting the river ecosystem and could have serious consequences for surrounding communities," states the open letter published by the signatory organizations.
The letter comes after field observations and reports from local residents along the area where road works are taking place, while organizations argue that construction activities near the river have brought about noticeable changes to its natural structure.
"Changes in the morphology of the river, extraction of inert materials from the bed and deposition of excavation materials near it have been observed," the document states, warning of a possible impact on water quality, biodiversity and bank stability.
According to the organizations, interventions in natural rivers during infrastructure projects require continuous monitoring and strict adherence to environmental standards to avoid long-term damage to the territory.
"We demand immediate on-site inspection, verification of the legality of the interventions, and full transparency on permits and relevant documentation," the open letter further states.
The letter has been sent to the Prime Minister of Albania, the Ministry of Tourism and Environment, the Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy and the institutions responsible for water resources management and environmental monitoring. The recent landslides on the Librazhd-Bushtricë national axis and the traffic disruptions in the southeast of the country have made the concerns of environmental organizations related to these even greater and require immediate interventions.
The letter was signed by 26 civil society organizations operating in the field of nature protection, sustainable planning and territorial development, including AlbNatyra, PPNEA, EcoAlbania, INCA Albania, Milieukontakt Albania, REC Albania, GO2Albania and Co-PLAN. The signatory organizations represent national and local networks of environmental protection and sustainable development in Albania./Amfora
