Quarries rehabilitation for landscape improvement in Kruja, Albania

Our project is in full relevance with The Society for Ecological Restoration Mission.

Project Stage:
Planning / Design

Start Date:
2020-07

End Date:
2022-12

Primary Causes of Degradation

Degradation Description

A large number of abandoned quarries, which have served to produce building materials, decorative stones and various inert materials, are located, more or less, throughout the territory between Fushekruja and Kruja cities, in Albania. Although the Albanian government has taken strict measures with DCM No. 468, dated 26.07.2018 has declared the area Kraste-Vrion “Protected Natural Landscape”, some entrepreneurs still continue their suspended activity under the pretext of site restoration.

Other quarries have been abandoned and left to rehabilitate their natural restoration. Some of them have been used as a land uncontrolled waste, thus turning into points and sources of pollution severe environmental in this area. Over the last 5 years, there has been a growing interest from both the Albanian government and also by local authorities for rational management of quarry activity in our country and for the restoration of abandoned quarries. They have damaged it very severe environmental balance and natural landscape, territory, vegetation, fauna and water resources.

Albania, as in all of Europe and beyond, is taking more measures strict, imposing more environmental restrictions on the activity of quarries. Also, the decade 2021-2030, promulgated on March 1, 2019 by The United Nations General Assembly as “Decade of Nations United for Ecosystem Restoration “, aims to scale massively restoration of degraded and destroyed ecosystems. Gradual restoration and exploitation of abandoned quarry sites with the intervention and investments can contribute to improving the quality of the environment in the areas and suburbs of the cities where they stretching.

Reference Ecosystem Description

The project methodology proposed : To analyze the damages of caused by quarry activity and to determine the most suitable solution for proposed rehabilitation which may constitute a pilot model and an useful tool and usable not only for companies and businesses involved in this sector, also, for the local and central administration of protected areas and institutions state of any level. The compiled database can be enriched with it new data, followed by the concrete materialization of the proposed solutions.

The project strategy proposed: 1-Detailed examination of the quarry site, legal status, status of ownership, topographic, geometric graph, characteristics, data geological, hydrogeological, geotechnical and environmental.
2-Recording of deficiencies in infrastructure and municipal / facilities at local and suburban level. Initial approach of possible alternative solutions, based on the permissible use of land.
3. Determining alternative solutions based on restrictive / prohibitive conditions, for each solution under consideration, and the specific conditions of the object under consideration.
4. Quarry Rehabilitation Plan and Recreational Park Construction Plan.
5. Project time work and budget plan provided.

Project Goals

The main purpose of this project is to rehabilitate environmental and landscape damage caused by many years of activity of quarries in the area of Fushekruja and Kruja. The objective of the project is to rehabilitate the territory of the closed quarry that is located in the Protected Area of Kruje, Albania and its transformation into a Recreational Park for the benefit of the community, the environment and tourism. The project is designated and will be implemented by the EUROMEDALB. It is a project that will bring many positive impacts in the environment, biodiversity, community and tourism.

Monitoring

The project does not have a monitoring plan.

Stakeholders

Eagle Metallic Construction Ltd – will be involved as a partner  in the investment Kontact Ltd – – will be involved is a partner in the investment The Ministry of Environment and Tourism of Albania – will be as a  central government partner The Municipality of Kruja – will be as a  local government partner National Agency of Protected Areas in Albania- is a partner which is the legal administrator of the protected area of project implementation.

Local Community- involved for public consultation process as a project beneficiaries

Local Environment and Business Associations- involved in public consultation and awareness raising campaigns.

How this project eliminated existing threats to the ecosystem:
Activity 1: The terrain design of the quarry for eliminating: Soil and landslides phenomena Land, water and air pollution Biodiversity losses Landscape destruction

How this project reinstated appropriate physical conditions (e.g. hydrology, substrate)",:
Activity 2: Filling and systematizing the quarry for improving the terrain physical conditions: Improve hydrology and water management Improve land structure and fertility and its physical properties Improve land cover and landscape Improve the biodiversity in the area

How this project achieved a desirable species composition:
Activity 3: Planting local plant species and compositions: Creation of a nursery with local plant species Planting in the park and surround area local plant and trees species. Improve the biodiversity of the area planting local trees, shrubs and decorative plants, annual and perennial plants

How this project reinstated structural diversity (e.g. strata, faunal food webs, spatial habitat diversity):
Activity 4: Habitat and landscape restoration Raising of number of plants species Raising of fauna species in the park and forest Improving of habitats for plants and trees grow and living Improving plant irrigation, nutrition and protection system

How this project recovered ecosystem functionality (e.g. nutrient cycling, plant-animal interactions, normal stressors):
Activity 5: Improve the ecosystem services: improve greening area Improve local infrastructure Improve community relax and physical environment Improve biodiversity conservation and public education Improve the tourism and ecotourism development

How this project reestablished external exchanges with the surrounding landscape (e.g. migration, gene flow, hydrology):
Activity 6: Building of communication and leisure's system Improve the linkage between forests, recreative park and the cultural and archaeological resources of the area Improve internal and external communication networks Improve the protected areas management using benefits for local community

Activities were undertaken to address any socio-economic aspects of the project:
Building of Bike movement area, children playground, Bar-café- restaurant for community pleasure, recreation , relax and sport activities Tourism and ecotourism development Improve linkage between people, nature and cultural heritage of the area Improve the benefits of community in environment, agriculture, tourism and natural resources management Improve economic level and employment of the community

Ecological Outcomes Achieved

Eliminate existing threats to the ecosystem:
Eliminate soil erosion and landslides, Eliminate dusts, air, land, food and water pollution Eliminate forests, plants and fauna damages, Eliminate landscape destruction

Reinstate appropriate physical conditions",:
Improve land covering with grass, plants, shrubs and trees, Improve water management and hydrology Improve land structure and fertility and its physical properties Improve landscape Improve the biodiversity in the area Improve the environment: land, water and air quality

Achieve a desirable species composition:
Creation of nursery for local plants species Planting local plant species and compositions in the park and around Reforestation of the damaged area with local plant species Improve the biodiversity conservation Planting approved decorative plants in the park avoiding the invasive species

Reinstate structural diversity:
Restoration of the environment and landscape Raising of number of plants species Raising of fauna Improving of habitats for plants and trees

Recover ecosystem functionality:
Improve the ecosystem services: improve greening area Improve local infrastructure Improve community relax and physical environment Improve biodiversity conservation and public education Improve the tourism and ecotourism development

Reestablish external exchanges with the surrounding landscape:
Improve and restore general ecosystem and landscape Improve the linkage between forests, recreative park and the cultural and archaeological resources of the area Improve internal and external communication networks Improve the protected areas management using benefits for local community

Factors limiting recovery of the ecosystem:
Improve and restore general ecosystem and landscape Improve the linkage between forests, recreative park and the cultural and archaeological resources of the area Improve internal and external communication networks Improve the protected areas management using benefits for local community

Socio-Economic & Community Outcomes Achieved

Economic vitality and local livelihoods:
Ecotourism and cultural tourism development Local community economy improved Employment for women and young people improved

Provision of basic necessities such as food, water, timber, fiber, fuel, etc.:
Combine park and forest management with agroforestry and agriculture development for ensuring local food and products for the community and tourism needs. Ensuring potable and irrigation water for people, plants and fauna needs in every season and weather conditions..

Cultural dimensions such as recreational, aesthetic and/or spiritual:
Kruja is a historic and muse city distinguished for its ancient architecture and century resistance against enemies of Albania. Also there is located another ancient city named Albanopolis, very close to the quarry which will be rehabilitated and transformed in the recreative park In this context, our investment, except ecological, environmental and landscape benefits will have and cultural dimensions including recreational, aesthetic and spiritual values.

Regulation of climate, floods, disease, erosion, water quality, etc.:
The project will give positive impact on climate mitigation and adaption regulating and improving the microclimate of the region, water, temperature and humidity regime regulation, for floods, soil erosion and landslides control, for water and air quality improvement and pollution reducing..

Has the project had any negative consequences for surrounding communities or given rise to new socio-economic or political challenges?:
Ni negative consequences but positive benefits for the community, nature, ecosystem and tourism development.

Key Lessons Learned

the main lesson learned is to protect nature, ecosystem and landscape and to sustainable use and manage natural resources, because the rehabilitation and restoration process is more difficult and more expensive and need many budget, investment and time to do it.

For this is necessary public education and awareness and setting up and respecting the legal framework for nature protection, biodiversity conservation and ecosystem management.

Long-Term Management

The project will have high sustainability because: a- it is a work with public interest, with environmental, touristic, cultural and economic benefits, which will be realized by Medalb Institut and will be monitored by the state administrate of protected areas of Albania.
b- The investment is sustainable as it rehabilitates the damaged landscape, improves habitat and biodiversity conservation, reduces soil, water and air pollution and improves the / quality of life in the region.
c- The plants, shrubs and decorative trees that will be planted will be perennial and more multiple values and functions for improving air quality, to landscape, biodiversity and land erosion reduction.
d- Investments in infrastructure will have a positive long-term impact on tourism.

Sources and Amounts of Funding

This project to be completed need a general budget which is estimated 1 (one) million US$.

The financing sources are only from private companies which will finance 100,000 US$ for each of three investing companies EUROMEDALB Ltd, Eagle Metallic Construction Ltd and Contact Ltd.

No state financing are given.

We need and we apply for a Grant in the amount of 700, 000 US$ from the Donors such as The Society for Ecological Restoration or other Donors.

Primary Contact

Name:
Luan AHMETAJ

Affiliation:
EUROMEDALB Ltd

City:
TIRANA

State:
Albania

Organizational Contact