“Divjaka, Return of the Wild” Documentary of Artan Rama

“𝗗𝗶𝘃𝗷𝗮𝗸𝗮, 𝗥𝗲𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗱” is latest documentary film by the journalist Artan Rama. It depicts a glimpse of the quintessential struggle between man and nature that takes place in the 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗕𝗶𝗿𝗱 𝗔𝗿𝗲𝗮 (𝗜𝗕𝗔), in the 𝗥𝗮𝗺𝘀𝗮𝗿 𝗦𝗶𝘁𝗲, in the 𝗘𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗱 𝗦𝗶𝘁𝗲, in the 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗮 𝟮𝟬𝟬𝟬 𝗣𝗶𝗹𝗼𝘁 𝗔𝗿𝗲𝗮, in the 𝗗𝗶𝘃𝗷𝗮𝗸𝗮-𝗞𝗮𝗿𝗮𝘃𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗮 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗸.

By all appearances, the Park is not quite the pristine natural environment it used to be. Over the years, human activity has taken its toll on it. The impact of intensive agriculture, pollution, climate change, poaching, mass tourism and other factors, is evident not only to experts but also to the local community.

These issues pose a significant threat to the flora and fauna of the area. It is worth mentioning that the Lagoon of Karavasta is home to a large population of Dalmatian Pelicans. In addition to disturbances during the breeding season, the island on which they have built their nests faces the constant threat of erosion caused by the rising water levels. The locals feel the pressure too. Many families make ends meet through the riches of the Park. Such is the case of a local shepherd. His herd has been significantly reduced due to the transformation of grazing lands into agricultural lands, thus putting his livelihood at stake.

THE THREAT OF HUMAN ACTIVITY DOESN’T STOP THERE. BECAUSE OF ITS GEOGRAPHICAL POSITION, THE PARK ATRACTS THE ATTENTION ON MANY INVESTORS.

Not all hope is lost. 𝗗𝗶𝘃𝗷𝗮𝗸𝗮-𝗞𝗮𝗿𝗮𝘃𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗮 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗸 has its defenders who work tirelessly to protect it. The protection of the Park is subject of advocacy for many conservationists, local community and, of course, 𝗔𝗢𝗦.

The project “Let’s Make Divjaka Natural Again!” is funded by the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF) and implemented by AOS-Albanian Ornithological Society in partnership with PSEDA-Iliria and ResPublica.