Albania has completed a two-year process to review and reassess Natural Monuments across the country.
The authorities carried out extensive fieldwork and detailed assessments. The process followed Albania’s legislation on protected areas. It also brought together experts, regional administrations, local governments and communities.
Environment Minister Sofjan Jaupaj said experts visited every monument in the field. They assessed its condition and examined its natural values. In addition, they held public consultations for each area.
“Teams worked in the field for every monument. They assessed its condition and natural values and held public discussions for each area,” Jaupaj said.
He added that the National Agency of Protected Areas (AKZM) and its field teams had completed the necessary documentation. They then submitted the documents to the Ministry of Environment for the next legal procedures.
According to Jaupaj, the process marks an important step toward clearer protection and better management of Albania’s Natural Monuments.
Moreover, the reassessment updated existing data and identified the protection and sustainable management needs of these natural assets.
“Natural Monuments form an important part of Albania’s natural heritage,” Jaupaj said. “Completing this process marks an important step toward strengthening their protection and preserving these assets for future generations.”
Meanwhile, the process aims to ensure that the national network of Natural Monuments better reflects Albania’s rich natural diversity. It also provides a stronger basis for conservation, monitoring and future management.
Natural Monuments include living and non-living natural objects or areas with special scientific, ecological, cultural, educational, aesthetic or religious values.
These values result from specific natural processes and factors. Therefore, they distinguish Natural Monuments from other natural objects.
Living natural monuments include old trees and groups of trees with large dimensions or unusual trunk and crown shapes. They also include habitats and biotopes of up to 50 hectares that host endemic, relict, rare or endangered species.
Meanwhile, non-living natural objects, known as geomonuments, fall into several categories based on their origin and characteristics.
Geological monuments include visible tectonic faults, unique rock outcrops and paleontological fossils. Geomorphological monuments include unusual rock formations, dolines, sinkholes, canyons, caves, gorges, cliffs and characteristic islands.
In addition, hydrographic monuments include karst springs and lakes, thermal and mineral springs, glacial lakes, waterfalls and wetlands.
As a result, the completed reassessment gives authorities updated information for protecting and managing these natural assets. It also strengthens the foundation for preserving Albania’s natural heritage for future generations.
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