The Egyptian Vulture, the only breeding vulture in Albania served as a “symbol” of the “Green Week”, June 14 – 18, in Gjirokastra. A series of activities were held during this week, aiming to strengthen the capacities of local administration and raising public awareness on environmental protection and biodiversity conservation as well as integrated waste management.
This activity was organized under the special care of the Municipality of Gjirokastra and its European Integration Unit, in cooperation with the organizations Sustainable Environment Albania (SEA) and the Albanian Ornithological Society – AOS, which joined the activity within the frame of the “Egyptian Vulture New Life” project.
The activities were spread throughout the territory of the Municipality of Gjirokastra, in the city, and in the Administrative Units of the municipality (Gjirokastra, Cepo, Lazarat, Picar, Lunxhëri, Odrie and Antigonë). A total of 13 activities took place, of which 11 activities had a training and informative nature and 2 activities focused on awareness-raising, with the participation of the citizens in central public areas of the city of Gjirokastra.
The main topics addressed/discussed during this 5-day activity were:
- The education of different generations: Education on recycling and bird conservation issues, in particular the Egyptian Vulture population. This was supported by the Children’s Cultural Center of Gjirokastra (QKF-Gjirokastra) and the Conservation Youth Club of Gjirokastra (CYC-Gjirokastra).
- Waste recycling: increasing the capacities of the waste management sector, informing and raising public awareness about the importance of this process for the environment and the economy;
- Environment protection and biodiversity conservation: The importance of a healthy environment, the biodiversity of the area, the vulture population and their importance in nature, the Egyptian Vulture, the importance of this bird for Gjirokastra, the protection of this population, the threats it faces, especially the phenomenon of poisoning (how should the administration prevent, administer this phenomenon).