TIRANA, October 28 /ATA/ Minister of Environment Sofjan Jaupaj presented today the new draft law “On Hunting”, which aims at the sustainable development of this activity, while preserving the wild fauna, biodiversity and the ecological balance of natural ecosystems.
During the discussion of the draft law in the Parliamentary Committee on Agriculture, Food and Rural Development, Minister Jaupaj emphasized that the law defines the rules and requirements for the practice of hunting; it includes measures for its monitoring and control, and creates the new concept of the “hunting area manager”, who will manage and organize the activity in a professional and legal manner.
According to the minister, the decision to propose this new legislation, which provides for the reopening of hunting in a controlled manner, is based on data from monitoring wild fauna in the country, where there has been observed recovery of populations of some species that were previously the object of hunting.
“After several years of moratorium, there has been observed a recovery of populations of some fauna species that were previously subject to hunting. This creates the possibility for a restore of hunting activity in a controlled manner. The draft law also aims to encourage the involvement of hunters in the management and protection of fauna, combat illegal hunting and support rural and economic development through the sustainable use of wild animals,” said Jaupaj.
He said that, after conducting the test, the hunter addresses a written request to the relevant unit for hunting at the local self-government unit of the area, which must contain the test certificate, the permit for carrying a hunting weapon, the identity card and the payment of the permit fee.
The draft law also provides for the decentralization of powers, transferring responsibilities from the central government to the municipalities. The hunting areas will be leased through private managers, for periods of up to 10 years, in areas ranging from 500 hectares in plain areas to 1,000 hectares in mountainous areas.
Jaupaj stressed that the proposed model aims to promote rural development and sustainable tourism, turning hunting into a source of revenues for local areas, the same like in European Union countries, while noting the increase of the control measures and fines.
The draft law also determines the requirements for obtaining a hunting permit.
“This draft law is in line with European standards and guarantees the development of responsible hunting that preserves the country’s biodiversity and natural resources,” said Minister Jaupaj. /e.xh/a.f/r.e/p.s./
