Minister of Environment Sofjan Jaupaj emphasized that the International Waterbird Census constitutes one of the most important scientific processes for the monitoring and conservation of biodiversity.

“Since 1967, this census has been collecting valuable data on biodiversity every year, thanks to thousands of observers around the world,” said Minister Jaupaj.

He underlined that through the Ministry of Environment and the National Agency for Protected Areas, Albania joins this year this international monitoring, which will take place on January 17-18, with the aim of collecting and reporting accurate data on waterfowl populations and the state of aquatic ecosystems.

According to the Ministry of Environment, the data collected during the census serve as a scientific basis for the drafting of nature protection policies and the sustainable management of water and wetland areas in the country.

Winter Waterfowl Census is carried out every year in cooperation with state institutions, biodiversity experts and specialized observers, contributing to the long-term conservation of waterfowl and their natural habitats. /r.e/a.f/p.s./

This census will take place simultaneously in 146 countries of the world on January 15-16, 2022.

The purpose of this census is to verify through inventory according to the relevant methodology of the populations of these birds, the respective species, in all 30 coastal wetlands, natural and artificial lakes, estuaries, swamps, etc.

According to the final results from last year’s monitoring in our country there was a decrease in the number of birds compared to 2020. However, the figure of 2021 was higher than the average of the last 6 years.

Albania has joined the International Waterfowl Census since 1993, when this census initially took place in coastal habitats and Lake Shkodra. This international census has been going on since 1967./p.s./