TIRANA, Dec 5 /ATA/ Prime Minister Edi Rama attended a meeting today on environmental and forestry priorities, which are set to enter a new phase through a unique model of sustainable management and development.
In his remarks, the Prime Minister noted that the environment faces a significant challenge in the form of summer wildfires, which cause enormous damage.
Rama emphasized that investments have been made in technology to increase planting capacity through drone-assisted reforestation, which brings both precision and efficiency.
We face another major challenge, which has been evident to all of us and becomes particularly clear during the summer season when temperatures rise significantly — the serious threat of wildfires. For this reason, it is necessary to intervene more aggressively, with greater courage in terms of reform, and with far greater commitment when it comes to the management and care of our forests,’ Rama stated.
The Prime Minister emphasised the need to expand reforestation capacities.
The Prime Minister highlighted the urgent need to expand reforestation capacities in response to wildfires, which continue to cause severe damage. He announced the allocation of additional financial resources and the use of drone-assisted reforestation to increase efficiency and precision, with further funding and intensified efforts planned for the coming years.
Rama also highlighted the pressing need to expand public nurseries.
‘It is vital to increase the capacity of public nurseries by working in partnership with municipalities, as well as by supporting the newly established National Agency for Forests and Protected Areas, so that it can develop its own resources and establish its own network of nurseries,’ Rama stated.
Rama clarified that, ‘in this regard, we have taken legal steps to introduce a new measure, which has just come into effect, requiring all construction projects in Albania to contribute to this Green Fund.
The Prime Minister further noted that another crucial element is the application of technology to strengthen seedling production.
Prime Minister Rama stated that ‘there are new opportunities in this area, and the Ministry of Defence’s plan is to take full advantage of them, including the unprecedented possibilities offered by the use of Artificial Intelligence.
He further highlighted that experience has shown that protected areas do not impede economic development.
Rama stated that ‘if protected areas are managed strategically and creatively, and revenues are properly administered, the income generated can be significant and serve as an effective resource for the communities residing in these territories.
He added that over 1 million hectares are currently designated as protected areas, accounting for almost 22% of the country’s total land area.
The Prime Minister stressed that general statements are insufficient; it is necessary to examine the entire 1-million-hectare protected territory in detail to identify economic development potential without resorting to interventions that could cause more harm than long-term benefit.
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