2.

Socioeconomic Setting in the Drin Basin1

2.1 Administrative Units, Demographic Information

The population in the three countries of focus has been slightly increasing (Figure 2.1.1) in
the past years; nevertheless, the growth rate is not steady (Figure 2.1.2).

Figure 2.1.1: Average Population Figure 2.1.2: Population Growth Rate

Source: data from WIIW (2009) processed by GWP-Med

2.1.1 Albania

Albania is divided for administrative reasons in 12 Counties that are further divided in
Districts which in turn comprise a number of Municipalities; municipalities constitute the first
order administrative divisions.

An overall picture about the administrative units in which the Drin Basin extends at in
Albania is given below (see also Figure 2.1.3 and Table 2.1.1):
- Prespa sub-basin covers part of Korce and Devoll Districts in Korce County;
- Ohrid sub-basin covers part of Pogradec District in Korce County;
- Drin (including Black Drin and White Drin) sub-basin covers about half of Diber County,
the total of Kukes County and major part of Shkoder County;
- Shkoder sub-basin covers part of Shkoder and Malesi e Madhe Districts in Shkoder County;
- Buna sub-basin covers part of Shkoder District in Shkoder County.

All together Drin, Shkoder and Buna sub-basins covers the major part of Shkoder County.

Overall, the population in the Drin Basin in Albania is about 570,000 inhabitants; the majority
lives in the main cities. Table 2.1.1 “Drin Basin - Administrative units and demographic data
in Albania” and Table 2.1.4 “Administrative units and demographic data in the Drin’s sub-
basins in Albania, FYR Macedonia and Montenegro” provides related demographic data.

1
The effort to depict a picture with regard to the socio-economic setting in the Drin sub-basins, has been hampered by the
fact that statistical information at the sub-basin level either do not exist or is incomplete. Information used here is this that is
available for the administrative units (in the countries of focus) that the Drin basin extends at. As a result the reference
geographical area in each country (administrative or statistical units) does not coincide, for the majority of the cases, with the
focus area of this document i.e. the area that the Drin sub-basins extend at. Furthermore, information available to the authors
has been incomplete or outdated. In this respect trends and information presented here should be treated with caution as they
may not in all cases fully or accurately reflect the actual situation with regard to the socio-economic setting in the Drin sub-
basins.

- 153 -
Maps depicting the boundaries of administrative areas as well as the main settlements, main
roads and hydrological network in the 5 sub-basins are given in Annexes 13-16. Figure 2.1.4
depicts the change of population in the period 2001-2010 in the administrative units of
Albania including these in which the Drin Basin extends; population has decreased in the
most parts of the Drin Basin apart from the area of Shkoder where there was an increase in the
period 2005-2010.

Figure 2.1.3: Administrative units in the Drin basin

area in Albania – Counties

Figure 2.1.4: Change in Population (inh.)

Period 2001 – 2005 (left) and Period 2005 – 2010 (right)

- 154 -
Table 2.1.1: Drin Basin - Administrative units and demographic data in Albania
County Capital Districts Population Density1 Municipalities2 Communes Population3
Hoçisht 5,878
Miras 9,413
Devoll 79.0 Bilisht
Proger 5,232
Qender Bilisht 7,448
Drenove 5,753
Gore 3,148
Lekas 872
Libonik 11,308
Liqenas 4,148
Moglice 2,212
Korce (55,130) Mollaj 3,858
Korce 80.3
Maliq (6,561) Pirg 8,921
Korce Korce Pojan 13,753
Qender Bulgarec 10,386
Vithkuq 2,706
Voskop 4,845
Voskopoje 2,218
Vreshtas 8,590
Buçimas 13,350
Çerrave 8,864
Dardhas 3,238
Pogradec 99.3 Pogradec (23,843) Proptisht 6,934
Trebinje 4,536
Udenisht 6,145
Velçan 3,990
Fushe-Bulqize 4,168
Gjorice 6,336
Martanesh 3,540
Bulqize 60.1 Bulqize (10,500) Ostren 4,855
Shupenze 6.847
Trebisht 1,597
Zerqan 6,174
Diber Peshkopi Arras 5,166
Fushe-Çidhen 4,217
Kala e Dodes 4,036
Kastriot 8,517
Diber 60.5 Peshkopi (14,136)
Lure 2,050
Luzni 3,800
Maqellare 12,627
Melan 5,501

- 155 -
 Muhurr 4,047
Qender Tomin 10,269
Selishte 3,142
Sllove 4,492
Zall-Dardhe 2,169
Zall-Reç 1,975
Arren 983
Bicaj 7,071
Bushtrice 2,558
Gryke-Çaje 2,497
Kalis 1,877
Kolsh (Kukes) 1,591
Malzi 5,019
Kukes 48.3 Kukes (17,222)
Shishtavec 5,958
Shtiqen 3,840
Surroj 1,941
Terthore 4,056
Topojan 3,561
Kukes Kukes
Ujmisht 2,922
Zapod 2,958
Fajze 4,122
Has 33.2 Krume (6,393) Gjinaj 1,643
Golaj 7,684
Bujan 3,301
Bytyç 2,097
Fierze 2,350
Tropoje 16.7 Bajram Curri (6,561) Fshat Tropoje 5,430
Lekbibaj 2,701
Llugaj 2,421
Margegaj 3,293
Gruemire 9,832
Kastrat 8,447
Malesi e
66.7 Koplik (11,025) Kelmend 4,740
Madhe
Qender Koplik 5,546
Shkrel 5,076
Blerim 1,858
Fierze 2,542
Shkoder Shkoder
Gjegjan 5,820
Puke (4,558) Iballe 2,683
Puke 24.1
Fushe-Arrez (4,117) Qafe Mali 3,715
Qelez 2,791
Qerret 3,837
Rrape 2,503
Shkoder 95.3 Shkoder (83,598) Ana e Malit 4,814

- 156 -
 Barbullush 3,821
Vau i Dejes (9,437)
Berdice 7,449
Barbellush 13,465
Dajç 5,581
Guri i Zi 9,586
Hajmel 5,393
Postribe 8,913
Pult 2,414
Rrethina 15,361
Shale 3,215
Shllak 1,213
Shosh 1,157
Temal 1,689
Velipoje 5,545
Vig Mnele 3,143

1
Source: Albanian National Statistics Institute (INSTAT), 2009
2
Population for each municipality is given in brackets (WHO Statistical Information System, June 2005)
3
WHO Statistical Information System, June 2005

2.1.2 FYR Macedonia

Population in the Drin sub-basins is spread in a number of municipalities -the first

order administrative divisions in FYR Macedonia- within three statistical regions (see Figures
2.1.4 and 2.1.5 as well as Tables 2.1.2 and 2.1.4).

Prespa sub-basin covers part of Pelagonia

statistical region while these of Ohrid and Black
Drin cover part of Southwestern and Polog
statistical regions respectively – see Figure 2.1.4.

Figure 2.1.5: FYR Macedonia – Statistical

Regions

Table 2.1.2: Drin Basin - Administrative units and demographic data in FYR Macedonia
Statistical Municipalities Population Population Density Municipal Seat
Regions (people/km2)
16,825
Pelagonia Resen (69) 23.00 Resen
(2002 census)
Southwestern Centar Župa (63) 6,519 60.81 Centar Župa

- 157 -
 Debar (62) 19,542 134.15 Debar
Debarca (67) 5,507 12.95 Belčišta
55,749
Ohrid (68) 142.97 Ohrid
(2010 data)
Struga (65) 63,376 130.60 Struga
Vevčani (66) 2,433 69.00 Vevčani
Polog Mavrovo and Rostusa (61) 8,618 13.00 Rostusa

Note: The numbers in brackets next to the names of the municipalities given in the respective column correspond
to the numbers in the Figure 2.1.5 “Administrative units in the Drin basin area in FYR Macedonia –
Municipalities” and may be used to identify the geographical location of the municipalities
Source: Data from the State Statistical Office of FYR Macedonia (http://www.stat.gov.mk/, accessed on 8/10/10)
processed by GWP-Med

The municipalities that the Drin Basin extends at are among the most densely populated in the
country (see Figure 2.1.6 “Population density in the municipalities in FYR Macedonia”). The
less densely populated is Resen Municipality (in the area of which the Prespa sub-basins falls
entirely in) followed by Debarca Municipality.

Figure 2.1.6: Administrative units in the Drin basin

area in FYR Macedonia – Municipalities

Note: The numbers in the map correspond to the

municipalities listed in Table 2.1.2. “Drin Basin -
Administrative units and demographic data in FYR
Macedonia”.
Figure 2.1.7: Population density in the municipalities
in FYR Macedonia

Source: State Statistical Office, FYR Macedonia

(http://www.stat.gov.mk/, accessed on 8/10/10)

- 158 -
 Figure 2.1.9: The Drin Basin in FYR
Macedonia

Figure 2.1.8: Main urban centers in the Drin Basin area

in FYR Macedonia
Source: Adapted from publications of the State Statistical
Service, FYR Macedonia, 2009

2.1.3 Montenegro

Municipalities are the first order administrative divisions also in Montenegro; local
communities are additional administrative units, nevertheless the respective authorities have
very limited responsibilities. The country is divided in 21 municipalities (see Figure 2.1.9)
and two urban municipalities, subdivisions of Podgorica municipality. Montenegro was also
conditionally divided in three regions2 for the needs of the Regional Development Strategy
-adopted in 2010- for reasons of planning, implementation and monitoring of development:
the Continental, Central and Coastal regions3. The Continental region is less densely
populated than the central and coastal regions.

The part of the Drin Basin extending in Montenegro i.e. the Shkoder/Skadar Lake and
Buna/Bojana River sub-basins, covers part of the territories of 7 municipalities: Kolasin
(Continental Region); Podgorica, Niksic and Danilovgrad (Central Region) and; Cetinje, Bar
and Ulcinj (Costal Region).

2
This document refers on a case by case basis to both municipalities and regions depending on the units for which
information is each time available.
3
The Continental region consists of the following municipalities: Andrijevica, Berane, Bijelo Polje, Mojkovac, Kolasin,
Plav, Pljevlja, Plužine, Rozaje, Šavnik and Zabljak. Podgorica, Niksic and Danilovgrad constitute the Central region. The
Coastal region includes the following municipalities: Cetinje, Budva, Herceg Novi, Tivat, Kotor and Ulcinj.

- 159 -
 Figure 2.1.10: Administrative units in the Drin Basin area in
Montenegro - Municipalities

An overall picture of the administrative units in which the Drin Basin extends at in
Montenegro, including demographic data is given in Table 2.1.3 below.

Table 2.1.3: Drin Basin - Administrative units and demographic data in Montenegro

Density Number Number of

Urban Rural (Inhabitants Number of
Census* Population of house- house-holds
Population Population 2 settlements
/ km ) holds members
1991 325,040 45 1,240 163,274 3.7
Montenegro
2003 347,987 45 1,256 180,517 3.4
1991 10,971 62 83 10,664 3.5
Bar
2010 40,037 17,747 22,290 67 83 12,447 3.2
1991 15,946 22 94 6,139 3.3
Cetinje
2010 18,482 15,353 3,129 20 94 5,865 3.2
1991 4,409 29 80 4,379 3.4
Danilovgrad
2003 16,523 6,737 9,786 33 80 4,963 3.3
1991 2,540 12 67 3,283 3.4
Kolasin
2010 9,949 2,989 6,960 11 70 3,168 3.1
1991 56,141 36 110 19,400 3.9
Niksic
2003 75,282 58,212 17,070 37 110 21,246 3.5
1991 117,875 106 143 39,653 3.8
Podgorica
2010 169,132 140,262 28,870 117 143 48,416 3.5
1991 11,144 95 39 5,950 4.0
Ulcinj
2003 20,290 10,828 9,462 80 39 5,327 3.8
*
Data from the agricultural census (2010) was used for the municipalities for which such information was
available; for the rest of municipalities data from the 2003 census were used
Source: Annual Statistical Yearbook, 2010, MONSTAT, Agricultural Census, 2010, MONSTAT and Ministry of
Agriculture and Rural Development, Montenegro

- 160 -
 2.1.4 Overall

Available demographic data about the administrative units that the sub-basins in the countries
of focus extend at are summarized in the Table 2.1.4 below.

Table 2.1.4: Administrative units and demographic data in the Drin’s sub-basins in Albania, FYR
Macedonia and Montenegro
Administrative Units that the sub-basins
covers part of / extends at (Districts for
Sub-basins Country Number of settlements Population
Albania; Municipalities for FYR
Macedonia, Municipalities for Montenegro)
17 Korce District
(3 with population 10,667
Albania
>1,000 inhabitants and 1 (2007 data)
Devoll District
with population >1,500)
Prespa
FYR 16,825
44 Resen Municipality
Macedonia (2002 census)
1,851
Greece 13
(2001 census)
Prespa - Total
~ 29,000
population
Albania 8 ~30,000* Pogradec District
n/a Ohrid Municipality
Ohrid FYR
n/a ~90,000* Debarca Municipality
Macedonia
51 Struga Municipality
Ohrid - Total
~ 120,000*
population
n/a Struga Municipality**
21 Centar Župa Municipality
FYR
n/a ~70,000* Debar Municipality
Macedonia
n/a Vevčani Municipality
Black Drin 42 Mavrovo and Rostusa Municipality***
8 Bulqize District
15 Diber District
7 Kukes District
Albania 8 ~ 250,000* Kukes District
n/a Has District
Drin n/a Puke District
8 Tropoje District
8 Shkoder District****
Drin - Total
~ 330,000*
population
2 Shkoder District****
Albania 4 Malesi e Madhe District
Shkoder/Skadar n/a Puke District
Podgorica, Kolasin, Niksic, Danilovgrad,
Montenegro n/a
Cetinje, Bar
Albania 5 ~36,000* Shkoder District****
Buna/Bojana
Montenegro n/a Ulcinj
Shkoder/Skadar -
~ 500,000*
Total population
* **
Indicative figure Struga (FYR Macedonia) lies at the littoral area of Lake Ohrid within both Ohrid and Black Drin watersheds; in this regard
***
its population (33,376 people) can be considered as part of the population in either watershed. Mavrovo and Rostusa Municipality (FYR
Macedonia) extends partially in the Black Drin watershed; there is no available information with regard to which part of the population of the municipality
****
lives within the watershed Shkoder District (Albania) has a population of 185,646 inhabitants and extends in both Drin, Shkoder and Buna sub-
basins in Albania; there is no reliable data on the number of inhabitants that live in each watershed and the figures presented here should be considered as
indicative
Note: 1. n/a: Information not available to the authors; 2. The boundaries of the sub-basins do not always coincide with the boundaries of the administrative
units, thus it is difficult to assess the part of the population in each administrative unit that lives within the boundaries of each sub-basin. The figures
corresponding to the total population in the part of a sub-basin extending in a country as well as the total population in each sub-basin are the outcome of
calculations based on available incomplete data and have not been produced by the statistical offices of the countries of focus. Hence, these are indicative
and should be treated with caution.

- 161 -
The Albanian part of the Prespa sub-basin is a rural area – many of the 17 settlements (all
villages) have a population of less than 1,000 inhabitants. Liqenas (4,148 inhabitants) and
Progri (5,232 inhabitants) are the main communes and the largest settlements in the Albanian
Macro Prespa and Micro Prespa areas respectively. In the part that lies in FYR Macedonia out
of the 44 settlements, 39 are permanently populated. The area is rather sparsely populated,
with average population densities of 20 people/km2 in the Albanian side and 31 people/km2 in
the FYR Macedonian side. The population in the Greek part represents less than 10% of the
total population in the Prespa sub-basin.

There are many settlements scattered in the Ohrid sub-basin in both littoral countries.
Nevertheless, the major part of the population lives in towns. Pogradec (24,000 inhabitants –
2005 data) is the biggest in the Albanian side. In FYR Macedonia, Ohrid is the major town
(42,003 inhabitants – 2002 census) followed by Struga (33,376 inhabitants). The latter is the
seat of the Struga Municipality which stretches also in the Black Drin watershed. The three
aforementioned towns lie on the littoral zone of the lake.

In the Albanian part of Ohrid watershed, poor economic conditions in the recent past has led
the population of the mountainous and rural areas of Korce and Pogradec Districts either to
migrate to the cities of Korce, Pogradec and Tirana or to emigrate.

Northern, in the Black Drin watershed, the settlements in the Municipality of Vevchani in
FYR Macedonia are located about 15 km from the Ohrid shoreline on the slopes of Jablanica
mountain at 800 - 950 m a.s.l. Close to the borders with Albania, the city of Debar in the
Debar municipality is next to Lake Debar, the Black Drin River and its smaller tributary river,
Radika. The Municipality of Mavrovo Rostusa, which borders both Albania and Kosovo, is
one of the largest in area municipalities, having though a rather low population density. Out
of 21 settlements in the Municipality of Centar Zupa, 4 villages are fully abandoned.

The Black Drin enters Albania in the Bulqize District and flows north through the Diber
District until it joins the White Drin in the Kukes District. There are about 30 communes and
three municipalities i.e. Bulqize, Peshkopi and Kukes, located in the Black Drin sub-basin.
The share of rural population reaches about 81% of the total population; this is high if
compared to 58% that is the country’s average. Approximately half of the population in the
sub-basin lives in the district of Diber which ranks third in the country in terms of the share of
population living in rural areas (83.2%). Emigration and migration has led the population in
Diber to decrease by approximately 16% during the past 10 years.

There are 24 communes and several small settlements in the area extending north-northwest
of the confluence of Black and White Drin Rivers and around the artificial lakes (Fierza,
Koman and Vau i Dejes) in the Has, Tropoje and Shkoder Districts.

Shkoder County –in which part of the Drin sub-basin as well as Shkoder/Skadar and
Buna/Bojana sub-basins extent- ranks fifth in Albania in terms of population. Approximately
2/3 of the population lives in the Shkoder District; the majority is rural i.e. 53.7% in the
Shkoder District, approximately 89% in the Malesi e Madhe District and 82% in the Puka
District. Population figures have declined during the transition period by 10% due to
migration and emigration. This decline is sharper (30%) for the district of Puka.

Population has increased during the 2005-2010 period in the Buna/Bojana sub-basin as well
as in and near Shkoder municipality in the Shkoder/Skadar Lake sub-basin.

- 162 -
Shkoder municipality has a population of more than 85,000 inhabitants (this figure includes
those living in the vicinity of the city). In the Malesi e Madhe District, Koplik is the main
municipality; it sits very close to the lake and has a population of about 11,000 inhabitants.

There are about 5 communes and a number of villages in the Albanian part of the
Buna/Bojana sub-basin with a total population of about 36,000 inhabitants. The main
communes are these of Bushati and Velipoja. A part of the population has migrated in the
area from the mountainous zone of Shkoder District.

In Montenegro, the Shkoder/Skadar sub-basin extends to the territory of 7 municipalities.

River Zeta flows through the territory of Niksic and Danilovgrad municipalities. It joins the
Moraca River in Podgorica city. The sum of the population of these three municipalities
makes up one third of the population of Montenegro. Podgorica and Niksic, followed by Bar,
are by far the larger towns; urban population figures for all three towns have increased in the
1991 - 2003 period (census years). Podgorica is the most densely populated (117
inhabitants/km2) followed by Ulcinj (80 inhabitants/km2) and Bar (67 inhabitants/km2). Urban
population increased between 1991 and 2003 in the country. This increase was substantial in
Bar municipality (~60%) and considerable in Podgorica municipality (~20%).

Moraca River rises in the mountain area of Kolasin Municipality and flows through Podgorica
into the Shkoder/Skadar Lake. The watershed of Cijevna River, the second larger tributary of
the Moraca River, extends at the territory of the Podgorica Municipality. Population in
Kolasin and Danilovgrad is by majority rural – 69.95% and 59.22% respectively.

The National Park Skadar Lake covers part of the territory of the Bar, Podgorica and Cetinje
Municipalities.

The Bojana/Buna River sub-basin in Montenegro falls entirely within the Municipality of
Ulcinj. Almost half or the population in the municipality is rural.

Migration of population from the continental towards the central and coastal part of the
country has been continuous the past years.

- 163 -
 2.2 Economic Indicators: Income, Poverty, Employment4

2.2.1 Overall

The socioeconomic state of the countries of focus is summarized in the Table 2.2.1 below.

Table 2.2.1: Main economic indicators in the countries of focus

Country /
Albania FYR Macedonia Montenegro
territory
2006 2007 2008 2009 2006 2007 2008 2009 2006 2007 2008 2009
Population
3,153 3,161 3,177 3,190 2,040 2,044 2,047 2,050 624 626 628 630
(1000 persons)
GDP, EUR mn 7,239 7,856 8,861 8,658 5,081 5,791 6,720 6,740 2,149 2,808 3,340 2,981
GDP, real
change in
5.5 6.2 8.0 - 4.0 5.9 5.0 - 8.6 10.7 8.1 -
percent against
previous year 1)
GDP per
capita, EUR at 4,930 5,800 6,500 6,600 6,680 7,800 8,400 8,200 8,140 10,300 10,700 9,900
PPP
Gross monthly
wages, avg. 175 211 228 242 376 395 428 488 377 497 609 643
EUR
Annual
2.4 2.9 3.4 2,2 3.2 2.3 8.3 0.8 3.0 4.2 7.4 3.4
inflation, % 2)
Unemployment
rate, based on
Labour Force
13.8 13.2 12.7 13.9 36.0 34.9 33.8 32.2 29.6 19.3 17.2 19.3
Survey-rate in
% annual
average 3) 5)
FDI inflow,
259 481 653 706 345 506 413 181 644 1008 669 944
EUR mn
PPP: Purchasing power parity
FDI: Foreign Direct Investments
1)
2.9, 2.7 and 1.7 for 2006, 2007 and 2008 respectively in EU 15 / 2.3 , 3.0 , 2.0 for 2006, 2007 and 2008 respectively in EU
25 (wiiw estimates) / 3.3 , 3.1 , 2.1 for 2006, 2007 and 2008 respectively in EU 27 (wiiw estimates)
2)
2.2 , 2.1 , 3.2 for 2006, 2007 and 2008 respectively in EU 15 /, 2.2 , 2.3 , 3.4 for 2006, 2007 and 2008 respectively in EU 25
(wiiw estimates) / 2.3 , 2.2 , 3.6 for 2006, 2007 and 2008 respectively in EU 27 (wiiw estimates)
3)
7.7 , 7.0 , 6.8 for 2006, 2007 and 2008 respectively in EU 15 / 8.2 , 7.2 , 7.0 or 2006, 2007 and 2008 respectively in EU 25
(wiiw estimates) / 8.2 , 7.1 , 6,9 for 2006, 2007 and 2008 respectively in EU 27 (wiiw estimates)
4)
Forecast
5)
For Albania: Registered unemployment rate
6)
Foreign Direct Investments
Source: The Vienna Institute for International Economic Studies – (wiiw) [accessed on October 14, 2010)]

4
As the document does not focus on Greece, some available information with regard to economic indicators for the part of
the Drin Basin extending in Greece, i.e. Prespa lakes, are given here: The average annual per capita income in the Greek part
of the Prespa sub-basin (considered to be rather low for the standards of the country itself) is the highest among the three
basin countries. In Greece the primary sector employs about 56% of the active population (2001 census - slightly reduced
from 63% as recorded in the 1991 census). Little less that 7% is employed in the secondary sector (fur processing plant, diary
processing-cheese production plants, wineries, agribusiness etc.), 22% in the tertiary while the unemployment rate was 11 %
(4% of the active population had an activity that was not registered). There is an increase on the number of persons employed
in the services sector in 2001 if compared to 1991, accompanied with a respective decline in the primary sector and an
increase of unemployment.

- 164 -
 The three countries are in comparable levels of economic development. Montenegro has the
higher economic growth rate followed (closely for 2008) by Albania and FYR Macedonia. In
2006, Albania's GDP growth rate reached an annual average of 5.5% due to the stabilization
programs the government has implemented and the domestic demand fed by booming credit
and significant remittance inflows; it increased by 6.2% in 2007 and 8% in 2008.
Montenegro's high GDP growth rates in 2006 and 2007 (8.6% & 10.7% respectively) are due
to a sharp increase in investment and services, in particular in the tourism sector. The reduced
rate of 2008 is mainly attributed to the impact of the global crisis. In FYR Macedonia the
main sectors contributing to economic growth (5.9% in 2007) were these of manufacturing
and mining, wholesale and retail, transport and telecommunications. The growth decelerated
to 5% in 2008.

GDP per capita increased

GDP / capita significantly in the period 2003-
2008. GDP per capita in Albania,
12000 measured in purchasing power
) parity, was equal to ~ 25% of the
P10000
P
P
EU-27 average in 2008
t
a 8000 (increased from 24% in 2007); in
Albania
R
U FYR Macedonia it was equal to
E
( 6000 FYR Macedonia 32%. In Montenegro it increased
a
ti Montenegro
p 4000 from 41% in 2007 to 46% in
a
c
/ 2008 – it doubled compared to
P
D 2000
G
2003. The income per capita,
measured in purchasing power
0
2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
parity, is higher in Montenegro
(9,900 € in 2009). It is lower in
FYR Macedonia (8,200 € in
Figure 2.2.1: GDP per capita (Euros at Purchasing Power
2009) and even lower in Albania
Parity)
(6,600 € in 2009). The monthly
Source: data from WIIW and INSTAT processed by GWP-Med gross average salaries follow the
same trend.

Albania ranks first among the

three countries in terms of the
share of the primary sector in the
GDP; FYR Macedonia ranks
third in this regard. The services
sector has the largest share in the
GDP of all three countries.

Unemployment has decreased in

the 2003-2008 period; in
Montenegro there was a sharp
decline by more than 10 units
Figure 2.2.2: Structure of GDP in the three countries of focus between 2006 and 2007 (Figure
– comparison with other countries of the Western Balkans 2.2.3). FYR Macedonia has the
Source: (adapted from) UNDP. 2007 highest unemployment rate
among the three countries.

- 165 -
 Unemployment Rate
40
%35
,
S
F 30
L
,e
t
a
r 25
t Albania
n
e 20 FYR Macedonia
m
y
o
l 15 Montenegro
p
m
e
n 10
U
5
2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

Figure 2.2.3: Unemployment rate in the countries of focus

Source: Data obtained from WIIW and processed by GWP-Med

2.2.2 Albania

According to data on poverty and living standards in Albania (World Bank 2007; 2009), the
GDP growth resulted in massive reduction in poverty (in statistical and not in actual terms).
The fraction of the population whose real consumption per person per month is below 50
USD fell from 25.4% in 2002 to 18.5% in 2005 and to 12.4% in 2008. Population in poverty
has been higher in rural than in the urban areas.

60 120000

50 100000
Agriculture
Sectoral share

40 80000
Industry Total employed
30 Construction Public sector
60000
Manufacturing Non agricultural
20 Agricultural
Services 40000
10
20000
0
0
90

92

94

96

98

00

02

Dibёr Korçё Kukёs Shkodёr

19

19

19

19

19

20

20

Figure 2.2.4: Sectoral growth 1990-2004 in Albania Figure 2.2.5: Employment per sector in Albania in
based on real GDP the Counties that the Drin Basin extends at (2006)
Source: Data obtained from INSTAT and processed by Source: Data obtained from INSTAT and processed by
GWP-Med GWP-Med

The services sector has grown over the past 15 years. It is followed by the primary sector and
industry; both sectors have declined during the same period (for period 1990 – 2004, see
Figure 2.2.4).

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 The primary sector appears to be the dominant one in terms of employment in the Counties in
which the Drin Basin extends in (see Figure 2.2.5).

Registered unemployment decreased between 1998 and 2007 in the Counties of focus.
Nevertheless it remains high.

A considerable decline of economic activity has taken place in the last decade in many of the
municipalities. Many of the households depend either on remittances from their relatives
working abroad or on economic aid from the state5.

Table 2.2.2: Average Growth Rates per County (in counties that the Drin Basin extends in) – Period
2001-2010
Total/ Average
Annual GR Annual GR
County Urban/ 2001 2005 2010 annual GR
2001-2005 2005-2010
Rural 2001-2010
Bulqize total 42.808 34.064 28.374 -5,55% -3,59% -4,57%
Bulqize urban 9.950 4.725 2.003 -16,99% -15,77% -16,38%
Bulqize rural 32.858 29.339 26.371 -2,79% -2,11% -2,45%
Devoll total 34.591 34.317 33.785 -0,20% -0,31% -0,26%
Devoll urban 6.719 7.527 8.131 2,88% 1,56% 2,22%
Devoll rural 27.872 26.791 25.654 -0,98% -0,86% -0,92%
Diber total 85.443 72.803 62.825 -3,92% -2,91% -3,41%
Diber urban 13.975 13.240 12.597 -1,34% -0,99% -1,17%
Diber rural 71.468 59.563 50.228 -4,45% -3,35% -3,90%
Has total 19.559 18.639 17.419 -1,20% -1,34% -1,27%
Has urban 3.198 2.977 3.211 -1,78% 1,53% -0,13%
Has rural 16.361 15.662 14.208 -1,09% -1,93% -1,51%
Korce total 142.786 141.169 138.898 -0,28% -0,32% -0,30%
Korce urban 58.860 60.458 62.789 0,67% 0,76% 0,72%
Korce rural 83.926 80.710 76.109 -0,97% -1,17% -1,07%
Kukes total 63.434 59.160 45.624 -1,73% -5,06% -3,40%
Kukes urban 16.529 15.508 10.815 -1,58% -6,95% -4,27%
Kukes rural 46.905 43.652 34.809 -1,78% -4,43% -3,10%
Lezhe total 67.648 72.726 77.184 1,83% 1,20% 1,51%
Lezhe urban 16.571 19.024 21.588 3,51% 2,56% 3,04%
Lezhe rural 51.077 53.703 55.596 1,26% 0,70% 0,98%
Malesi e Madhe total 36.642 36.497 36.091 -0,10% -0,22% -0,16%
Malesi e Madhe urban 4.072 4.819 3.643 4,30% -5,44% -0,57%
Malesi e Madhe rural 32.570 31.679 32.448 -0,69% 0,48% -0,10%
Pogradec total 70.375 70.206 70.575 -0,06% 0,10% 0,02%
Pogradec urban 23.730 26.292 27.666 2,60% 1,02% 1,81%
Pogradec rural 46.645 43.914 42.909 -1,50% -0,46% -0,98%
Puke total 34.267 29.614 24.323 -3,58% -3,86% -3,72%
Puke urban 6.010 6.396 6.203 1,57% -0,61% 0,48%
Puke rural 28.257 23.217 18.120 -4,79% -4,84% -4,81%
Shkoder total 184.989 181.679 185.646 -0,45% 0,43% -0,01%
Shkoder urban 85.610 83.785 87.106 -0,54% 0,78% 0,12%
Shkoder rural 99.379 97.894 98.540 -0,38% 0,13% -0,12%
Tropoje total 27.865 22.104 16.260 -5,63% -5,96% -5,79%
Tropoje urban 7.460 5.428 4.548 -7,64% -3,48% -5,56%
Tropoje rural 20.405 16.676 11.712 -4,92% -6,82% -5,87%
Total Counties total 3.069.275 3.134.982 3.194.972 0,58% 0,38% 0,48%
Total Urban urban 1.291.789 1.423.757 1.589.559 2,46% 2,23% 2,34%
Total Rural rural 1.771.529 1.711.225 1.605.413 -0,86% -1,27% -1,07%
Source: INSTAT

5
According to 2005 data, 17.1 % of households received economic aid–it was 42.8 % in the case of Pogradec.

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In Korce County, the primary sector despite the fact that it has lost ground in the last ten
years, accounts for 29-30% of the overall production. The existence of Ohrid Lake is the
reason that fishery and tourism have a bigger share in the income of population in the
Pogradec District. The textile industry declined during the 1990’s; many of the state owned
companies were closed as an outcome of the use of obsolete technology and competition from
imported goods. The loss of jobs has been modestly countered by the small, but sustainable,
increase of small businesses mainly in the municipalities of Korce and Pogradec.

Unemployment has been an issue also in Korce County. In 2005 the active population was
about 60 % of the approximately 330,000 inhabitants, or ~ 200,000 people. The employed
persons were little less than 120,000. Situation is expected to improve in terms of
employment: the number of active population in the year 2015 is expected to be 173,000
people and the number of employed is foreseen to be 148,400. The employed persons per
sector in 2005 and the respective
Table 2.2.3: Employed persons per sector in 2005 and projections for 2015 are given in
projection for 2015 in Korce County in Albania the Table 2.2.3.
Sector Year 2005 Year 2015
Approximately 49% of the active
Agriculture 68,670 50,000
labor force and 78% of the
Industry 383 1,800
employed people in the Diber
Construction 3,407 13,000
County are employed in the
Transports and communications 4,100 6,500
primary sector. About 3/4 of the
Public and private services 9,948 17,000
remaining 22% are employed by
Education 4,501 4,500
the state, mainly in education and
Health 2,291 2,300
health sectors, and 1/4 by the
Public administration 3,700 3,800
private sector.
Tourism 4,000 16,000
Agro- industry 5,770 15,000
Leather industry 800
According to the Regional
2,000
Textile industry 10,000 16,000
Employment Department data in
Other 2,262
2004 the unemployment rate in
2,500
Total 119,832 148,400
urban areas was ~57% - one of
the highest in the country. In the
Source: MDG, Korce Development Strategy 2005 rural areas of the Diber County
~39% of the households were eligible to social assistance benefit, which corresponds to ~
38% of the population. 11 out of 31 communes were considered to be below the official
poverty line.

The National Human Development Report (NHDR) commissioned by UNDP in 2002 showed
that the Kukes County was the most affected by extreme poverty in Albania. The average
GDP per capita in 2004 was $1,564, approximately one third the Albanian national average.
In the same year 39.98% of the population in the County was below the absolute poverty line,
14 points higher than the average for Albania; in Has District the respective rate was 47.52%.

In 2008 trade in Kukes County accounted for 42% of the local economy -the share of SMEs
was very small- services for 32%, and construction for 11%. The financial crisis has put
pressure on the construction sector, on some export oriented industries and on remittances; all
these are important for the economy of the County.

The rate of registered unemployment in the Kukes region was 31.3% in 2007 and 30.9% in
2008. It is estimated that about 30,000 people from Kukes have permanently emigrated.

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In Shkoder County 15 out of 29 communes in total, live in extreme poverty. In rural areas,
incomes from farms are very low because households possess very small plots of agricultural
land. Land ownership issues have not yet been definitively resolved in many villages.

Approximately 30% of the households in the urban area of Shkoder County benefit from
social assistance; about 25 € per month in average. The share of the urban population that
meets the criteria for social assistance is much higher than that in other Counties.

The structure of the economy in the Shkoder County has changed drastically during the
economic transition period. Most of the 28 major enterprises, occupying about 85% of the
labor force in the urban areas, failed to survive. Despite the efforts for privatization only a
small share resumed work with very limited production capacities; the sector now employs
only 11% of its prior to the collapse labor force.

About 45% of the active population or approximately ~65% of the employed persons are
engaged in the primary sector. In the Malesia e Madhe, Puka and Shkoder Districts the related
percentages are 90%, 81% and 57% respectively. The number of manufacturing companies is
small, and they employ ~33% of the overall number of employees in the private sector. The
share of the active labor force in the County occupied in the primary sector is much higher
than the country’s average while the share that is occupied in the private non-agricultural
sector is almost half the country’s average.

Emigration and migration has led to the active population of the Shkoder County to decrease
since 1989 from 57% to approximately 41% of the total population; the decrease has been
higher in the Puka District, following the population reduction trend.

Unemployment rate was 18.5% in 2007 according to INSTAT, 24.2% in 2008, and about 24%
in 2010 according to UNDP; this ranks the County as second in this regard in the country.
Unemployment rate in the urban areas in 2010 was approximately 37%.

2.2.3 FYR Macedonia6

GDP and GDP per capita have increased in the period 2002-2008 in the three statistical
regions (Figures 2.2.6, 2.2.7). The highest GDP7 value (2008) was this of Pelagonia Region;
~1,180.4 million USD. GDP per capita (2008) in the same Region was about 5,025 USD;
higher that the country average (4,836 USD) and much higher than this of Southwestern
(~3,625 USD) and Polog (~2,291 USD) Regions (Figure 2.2.7). According to available
information population in the part of the Pelagonia Region relies heavily on pensions,
government employment and employment from occasional jobs.

6
Statistical information at the level of municipalities is not available in the website of the State Statistical Office of FYR
Macedonia. Information was sought, unsuccessfully, directly from the municipal authorities. In this regard only information
at the Statistical Regions level is provided here.
7
The 2008 average MKD / USD exchange rate was 0,024045.

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Figure 2.2.6: GDP (in millions of Denars) in the Regions Figure 2.2.7: GDP per capita (in Denars) in the Regions
of FYR Macedonia that the Drin Basin extends at of FYR Macedonia that the Drin Basin extends at
Source: State Statistical Office, FYR Macedonia Source: State Statistical Office, FYR Macedonia
(http://www.stat.gov.mk/, accessed on 8/10/10) (http://www.stat.gov.mk/, accessed on 8/10/10)

The primary sector is the second most important sector in the Pelagonia Region (Figure
2.2.8); nevertheless, it accounts to almost 1/4 of the total value produced by this sector in the
country (Figure 2.2.9). The primary sector is the most important for the local economy in the
part of the region within the Prespa sub-basin. Intensive farming is the main occupation,
followed by animal husbandry and fishing. Hunting, construction, tourism, trade and some
industry contribute also to the local economy.

The “Mining, Manufacturing, Electricity, Gas and Water supply sector” in the same Region
accounts to more than 15% of the value produced by this sector in the country (Figure 2.2.9).

Services is the main economic sector in Southwest Region followed by the “Mining,
Manufacturing, Electricity, Gas and Water supply” sector; the primary sector8 has the second
lowest share in the Region’s economy (Figure 2.2.8). In Ohrid municipality, tourism is very
important. Industrial sector is present and includes mainly electric industry, metal
manufacturing, textile, chemical, food processing industry etc. Agriculture generates 12% of
the GDP (Watzin at al., 2005).

8
Corresponding to the “(AB) Agriculture, hunting, forestry, fishing” sector of activities presented in Figure 2.2.8

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 Figure 2.2.8: Gross Value Added9 (in millions of Denars) by sectors of
activity and Regions, 2008 (for the Regions of FYR Macedonia that the Drin
Basin extends at)
Source: State Statistical Office, FYR Macedonia (http://www.stat.gov.mk/, accessed
on 8/10/10)

Figure 2.2.9: Gross Value Added, by sector of activity and Region

as percentage of the Country Gross Value Added by sector of
activity, 2008 (for the Regions of FYR Macedonia that the Drin
Basin extends at)
Source: Data from the State Statistical Office of FYR Macedonia
(http://www.stat.gov.mk/, accessed on 8/10/10) processed by GWP-Med

Unemployment in the Southwest Region is higher than the country average (Table 2.2.4 and
Figure 2.2.10). In Pelagonia the rate is close to, while in Polog is lower than the country
average.

9
GVA measures the contribution of each individual producer, industry or sector to the economy

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Table 2.2.4: Activity rates of the population aged 15 years and over in the Regions in the Drin basin
area in FYR Macedonia
FYR Macedonia Southwest Region Pelagonia Region Polog Region
2007 2008 2007 2008 2007 2008 2007 2008
Activity rate 55,7 56,3 53,2 55,5 62,3 63,6 45,2 43,9
Employment rate 36,2 37,3 29,7 33,7 40,6 41,6 32,9 32,3
Unemployment rate 34,9 33,8 44,2 39,3 34,8 34,5 27,2 26,4
Source: State Statistical Office, FYR Macedonia, 2010
Notes: - Activity rate: labour force as a percentage of the population of working age (15 years and over)
- Employment rate: persons in employment as a percentage of the population of working age (15 years
and over);
- Unemployment rate: unemployed persons as a percentage of the labour force (the total number of
people employed plus unemployed)

Figure 2.2.10: Activity, employment and unemployment rates for the

population aged 15 years and over in the Regions of FYR Macedonia that
the Drin Basin extends at
Source: Data from the State Statistical Office (http://www.stat.gov.mk/,

2.2.4 Montenegro

Economic growth during the past decade in Montenegro (Table 2.2.1) was accompanied by a
relatively uneven, spatially, development; investment increase was slightly lower in the
continental region (with the exception -in the case of Shkoder/Skadar watershed- of the
Municipality of Kolasin) than it was in the coastal and central region.

The structure of the Montenegrin economy is reflected in the structure of its GDP. Looking at
the gross added value, services represent about 62% of the GDP (MONSTAT, 2008).

Although tourism is only a part of the service sector, it is a key component of the economy
and the main source of growth, particularly at the coastal area. Industry equals at about 11%
and agriculture about 7.5% of the total economy. Agriculture is an important source of
income for a big part of the population living in the rural areas of the country.

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Most of the municipalities in focus lag behind state average, in terms of social – economic
development; they suffer from high level of unemployment, underdeveloped infrastructure,
low income, aging population, low population density and lack of capacity of local
government units for strategic planning. Figure 2.2.11 presents the municipal index of
development for 2010, compared with the state average.

Figure 2.2.11: Montenegro - municipal index of development for 2010,

compared with state average
Source: Regional Development Strategy of Montenegro 2011-2014 (2010)

Podgorica has the higher development index followed by Bar, Danilovgrad, Niksic, Kolasin,
Cetinje and finally, Ulcinj. Apart from Podgorica, all other municipalities of focus are close
but below national average.

Kolasin municipality is considered as one of the two main tourism centers in the continental
region. Besides tourism, wood processing and agriculture are the main economic activities.
Hydropower production will contribute significantly to the local development, should the
construction of the cascade of dams and hydropower production station in Moraca be realized.

Niksic was among the most developed industrial cities (steel, mining, beverage) prior the
transition period; nevertheless, industry collapsed during the last two decades. Economic
recovery in the municipality is slow; there are attempts for industrial revival through
privatization but with questionable success.

On the contrary in Cetinje there are little attempts for the revival of the industrial sector. The
developmental potential of the municipality lies with tourism as the city is the cultural capital
of Montenegro.

The primary sector –mainly agriculture, milk and meat production- is developed in the
Municipality of Danilovgrad; there are efforts for exporting part of the production.

In Podgorica Municipality, agriculture and fishery (the latter is especially important for the
National Park Enterprise Skadar Lake – see section 2.4.3), industry (metal industry, wine and
food industry) and services, are the most important economic sectors. The primary sector is
dominant in the rural areas while the tertiary sector is present mostly in the urban areas. The

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tertiary sector is of major importance; 30% of the total number of SMEs in Montenegro exist
in Podgorica.

The coastal region is the leading region in the country in terms of number of entrepreneurs
and SMEs; there are 2.2 times more registered businesses and SMEs comparing to the
continental region. The municipality of Bar is one of the coastal tourism centers. Beside
tourism, income is being generated from maritime transport (biggest port in Montenegro) and
sub-tropical plants production (25% of olive production and 22% of citrus production of
Montenegro). Tourism is also important for the Municipality of Ulcinj; nevertheless related
infrastructure is underdeveloped. The main income in the hinterland of these two
municipalities is deriving from small scale agriculture and fishery; these activities rely on the
Lake’s resources.

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2.3 Municipal Services

In the Greek part of the Prespa the low population results in low potential for exerting
pressure due to waste generation. Solid wastes are collected, temporally deposited in transfer
stations before being transferred outside the basin. Facilities10 that will treat 95% of the total
wastewater in the Greek part will be constructed.

2.3.1 Albania

In the Albanian side of the Prespa sub-basin about 25% of the population is served by a
sewage collection and septic system; this was constructed for Liqenas, with the financial
assistance of the KfW, and has been operating since November 2004. The approximately
3,400 people living in the rest of the villages of the Liqenas and Proger Communes are not
served by sewage collection. Urban wastewater is predominately discharged untreated to the
lake or underground. Individual households sometimes have primitively constructed septic
tanks, which do little to reduce impacts on water quality.

A regional solid waste management plan has been prepared through a project financed by
SIDA; a waste collection system has been initiated. The project included the set up of a
billing and accounting system, the purchase of required equipment and material, construction
of collection points and public awareness activities (public hearings and door-to-door
information dissemination). A 30% reduction (weight) in solid waste was succeeded in
Liqenas and Proger communes. The construction of a regional landfill for solid urban waste
in Korce will serve the Albanian part of both the Prespa and Ohrid sub-basins; the tendering
process has been initiated and the landfill was expected to be operational in 2012.

Table 2.3.1: Water Utilities that fall within the Drin Basin area
1 Bilisht Sh.a U 10 Malsi e Madhe Sh.a U
2 Bulqize Sh.a U 11 Peshkopi Sh.a U
3 Fushe Arrez Sha. UK 12 Pogradec Sh.a UK
4 Has Sh.a. U 13 Puke UK
5 Korce (Q) Sh.a UK 14 Shkoder Sh.a UK
6 Korçe (F) 15 Shkoder (F)
7 Kraste Sh.a UK 16 Tropoje Sh.a U
8 Kukes Sh.a UK 17 Vau Dejes Sh.a U
9 Lezhe Sh.a UK
Source: KfW

The total of the population in Pogradec Municipality and Udenisht Commune, in the Ohrid
sub-basin, is covered by the water supply system; the rate of the population served is 80%
(2004 data) for the Buçimas Commune. Pogradec is supplied with groundwater from the
Tushemishit (karstic – part of the water comes from the Prespa watershed) source close to the
borders with FYR Macedonia.

10
Most of the villages in the Greek side have a sewage collection network but no treatment plant. However, the Integrated
Rural Development Programme of the Regional Authority of Western Macedonia, Greece, will fund the consolidation of all
wastewater collection networks and the establishment of four units of wastewater treatment using artificial wetlands, which
will cover all settlements disposing their effluents in Micro Prespa, including Lemos and Ag. Germanos. One additional
facility will serve a remote village.

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In Pogradec approximately 30% of the wastewater generated was collected and simply
discharged into the Lake until 2004. The Pogradec Water Supply, Sewerage and Drainage
Management Project11 resulted in the rehabilitation of main and secondary networks of water
supply and sewerage in the city and the construction of a wastewater treatment plant
(supporting primary and secondary treatment) serving about 90% of the about 65,000
inhabitants of the Pogradec city and nearby villages. The treatment plant serves also about 9%
of the 6,000 people living at the lake Ohrid littoral area, northern of Pogradec. According to
Watzin et al. (2005), the treatment system has been designed to remove 80% of the
phosphorous load resulting to a discharge concentration that would comply with the relevant
EU discharge requirements for treated wastewater in sensitive water bodies. According to
information from local scientific institutions –related data are not published- the operation of
the wastewater treatment plant has contributed to the improvement of the water quality in the
lake area adjacent to the town of Pogradec and its vicinity.

Until the regional landfill in Korce becomes operational the area is served by a remote from
Pogradec, hence difficult to access, dumpsite that is located close to the borders with FYR
Macedonia. The site is not fenced and solid wastes are dumped without a deposition plan;
some are dumped along the road leading to the site. According to the Albanian National
Waste Strategy and Action Plan (2010) the site needs to be remediated and closed; a
restoration plan should be developed in this regard.

Although water is abundant in Kukes County, in the Drin watershed, drinking water
provision in the cities of Kukes, Bajram Curri and Kruma is restricted to some nine hours per
day, sometimes even less, due to power shortages and illegal tapping into the water supply. It
is estimated that only 25% of the villages have access to a safe water supply system.
According to the MDG Regional Development Strategy (2006), about 26% of households
were served by a sewerage system and 38% of them had drinkable water within their
dwellings in 2005.

There are significant disparities regarding access to sanitation services and domestic water
supply between rural and urban areas. Only 7% of rural households are connected to the
sewerage system and only 23% have water supply within their dwellings, vis-à-vis 72% and
74% respectively in the urban areas.

Urban solid waste collection and management has been privatized since 1994 in the Kukes
County. Waste management remains a significant problem. Life span of landfills built in
1997 to serve the Kukes and Kruma Municipalities (funded by the German government
through KfW) was proven to be less than the 10 years -instead to 10-15 years as originally
planned- due to the ten-fold increase of waste production because of the influx of refugees
from Kosovo in 199912 thus the sudden large increase in population in the Kukes and Kruma
Districts. The system for inert waste (construction materials, and reconstruction of housing,
etc.) management including a collection location, funded by Oxfam in 1999 still operates
today.

Currently solid wastes in Kukes, Kruma and Bajram Curri Municipalities, are disposed in
areas that are not officially approved. A project for the establishment of a landfill was

11
Initiated in 2001; activities began in 2004 and finished in 2008. The cost was 5 million Euros; the grant was provided by
KfW.
12
As a result of the war in the area.

- 176 -
approved by Bajram Curri Municipality but construction has not started yet. Waste end up at
the banks of the White Drin and Black Drin Rivers.

Box 2.3.1: The Rural Water Supply Programme

The Rural Water Supply Programme (RWSP) is implemented with the support of the German
Government through KfW. The contribution of KfW is 10 million Euros; the Albanian Government,
municipalities and beneficiary villages are contributing with an amount of 1,7 million Euros. The
main objective of the RWSP is to provide the population of the selected villages with sufficient and
save drinking water, based on the principle of cost recovery and with tariffs acceptable for the
community. Beneficiaries of the project are the inhabitants of 50 villages located in the northern
Albanian counties of Diber, Kukes and Shkoder. The project started in November 2008 and will be
completed in December 2014.

The Rural Water Supply Programme in the

Counties of Diber, Kukes and Shkoder

Water supply and sewerage in Shkoder municipality in the Shkoder/Skadar sub-basin is the
responsibility of the “Shkoder Water Supply and Sewerage Company” (SWSSC) established
in 2003; it is under the ownership of the local authorities since 2008. Water supply in Shkodra
city is based exclusively on groundwater wells (1,000 l/sec).

A regional sanitary landfill has been constructed near Shkoder city – it is of high importance
with regard to improved solid waste management as well as the protection of the Shkoder
Lake, Buna River and the Adriatic Sea. Nevertheless, although constructed it is not in use (as
of early September 2011); cooperation between municipal authorities seems to be the main
reason.

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2.3.2 FYR Macedonia

Resen and 10 out of 13, in total, communities within the Golema Reka watershed, in the
Prespa sub-basin, are served by the Krushje – Resen – Sirhan regional water supply system13.
The rest14 are served by separate water supply systems15. The supply system is obsolete
and this leads to high water losses; nevertheless, it provides users with safe drinking water.
Some higher zones in the system lack regular water supply during the summer period due to
reduced capacity of the wells. Metering and billing is performed monthly. Nevertheless,
despite the fact that all houses are equipped with water meters, bulk metering is common. In
addition wanton damaging of water meters have resulted about 10% of the water meters to be
non functional.

A combined (wastewater and

Table 2.3.2: Generated and collected municipal waste, in FYR rain water) collection
Macedonia in the Regions in which the Drin sub-basins extends
system, serves about 80% of
in
Resen town and 40-50% of
Generated municipal Collected municipal the neighboring Jankovec
waste (tons) waste (tons) village; a number of
2008 2009 2008 2009
settlements in the area as
Southwest 156,813 107,669 102,271 77,372 well as the local industry are
Pelagonia 63,290 82,882 49,743 67,758 not served by this system.
Polog 96,686 97,967 56,902 61,412 Collected material is
FYR Macedonia 713,564 725,976 531,281 552,230 conveyed by a primary
Source: State Statistical Office, FYR Macedonia, 2010
sewer (11 km long) to the
water treatment plant located
in the Ezerani village close to the Lake Prespa. The plant uses both mechanical and biological
treatment and has a capacity of 94 l/s or 12,000 PE. Plans for the rehabilitation of the system
and its extension to cover additional settlements date back to 1988. A small scale wastewater
treatment plant exists in Nakolec village (works finished on July 2009)16. Among a number of
treatment plants that have been constructed in the past in the Golema Reka watershed only
one, in the tourist area of Otesevo, is operational.

Urban solid waste collection covers about 2/3 of the total population in the FYR Macedonian
part of Prespa. Solid wastes are transferred to and disposed in the “Alcevi Kosari” dump
which is situated 3 km north of the town of Resen; it is in use for more than 35 years. This
was not constructed, nor is operated in accordance with sanitary rules. An additional disposal
site receives industrial waste.

The National Strategy for Waste Management in FYR Macedonia provides for a regional
landfill that will cover the needs of the Prespa and Ohrid areas to be constructed outside the
boundaries of the respective basins. The disposal sites in the municipalities in the Drin Basin
area in FYR Macedonia, the population that these serve and other related data are given in the
table below.

13
The inter-municipal public enterprise “Proleter” is responsible for water supply as well as urban solid and liquid waste
management in the wider Lake Prespa area
14
Leva Reka, Podmocani and Grncari
15
Also managed and operated by Proleter.
16
Constructed as a pilot activity under the GEF/UNDP “Integrated Ecosystem Management in the Prespa Lakes Basin of
Albania, FYR of Macedonia and Greece” project

- 178 -
 Table 2.3.3: Solid waste management in the extended Drin Basin area in FYR Macedonia
Disposal sites Population Daily quantity of solid Deposits (m3) Area (m2)
served waste collected/disposed
Resen / “Alcevi Kosari” 11,777 35 m3/day 200,000 30,000
Ohrid / “Bukovo” 38.066 ~ 310 m3/day 200,000 60,000
Struga / “Kafasan” n/a ~ 168 m3/day 50.000 n/a
Debar / “Krivci” 12.566 150,000 19,000
Source: Adapted from National Waste Management Plan (2009 - 2015), Ministry of Environment
and Physical Planning, FYR Macedonia, October 2008

A biodegradable waste management system was established in 2012 in the area of Resen and
the village of Jankovec to manage the ~10,000 tons of apples that is discarded as waste each
year; it includes a central composting plant and a number of biodegradable waste collecting
stations.

Box 2.3.2: Establishment of a biodegradable waste management system in the area of Resen and the
village of Jankovec.

Over 60% of the local population in Resen depends on agricultural activities, mainly apple production.
The annual apple production ranges from 80,000 to 110,000 tons, but in some years, due to low
market demands, more than10,000 tons are discarded as waste and are dumped along the shorelines
and into the Golema Reka River and Prespa Lake. An Environmental Impact Assessment Study
concluded that the establishment of a biodegradable waste management system will have positive
effects on the environment. The construction of a central composting plant and a number of
biodegradable waste collecting stations has been completed. The whole system is introduced to the
farmers and the public communal enterprise, through a series of trainings and an extensive public
awareness campaign.

The central water

Table 2.3.4: Municipalities in the Prespa and Ohrid watersheds in FYR
supply network in the
Macedonia served by water supply networks
Ohrid Municipality
Number of settlements serves, with water that
Number of %
Municipality covered by water supply is abstracted from the
settlements coverage
network
Ohrid 33 11 33
Lake Ohrid and
Struga 51 25 50 appropriately treated,
Vevchani 1 1 100
the city of Ohrid and
Resen
some additional
44 21 48 17
settlements , the
Debarca 30 22 73
tourist areas along the
Source: GWP-Med, personal communication shore of the lake as
well as some of the
industry in the region. Local water-supply systems serve the remaining settlements. Debarca
municipality is served by the regional waterworks “Radomirovo” that uses water from
springs. Water from several springs is used in the Vevchani Municipality. Water needs of the
industries in the Ohrid and Black Drin watersheds are mainly covered through own supply
systems using wells, springs as well as water abstracted directly from rivers and surface
streams.

17
Orman, Racha, D.Konjsko, Lagadin, Peshtani, and Velgoshti

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A regional sewerage system serves parts of the municipalities of Ohrid and Struga18 in Ohrid
and Black Drin sub-basins. A secondary sewerage system in Ohrid municipality serves 80%
of the city of Ohrid, 90% of Lagadin and 60% of Konsko settlements. Septic tanks are used in
the households not covered by the collection network. The use of septic tanks entail increased
risks for bacterial contamination of the lake and the aquifer. This is an issue also for the
sewerage network; there are wastewater leakages into the lake and in addition in periods of
heavy rains the lower parts of the collection system in Ohrid is overloaded and flooded–it is
combined with rainwater from the streets.

A separate secondary sewerage system serves certain areas of Struga as well as the Ezerski
Lozja and part of Mislesevski Pat settlements.

Collected wastewater is transferred to the “Vranishta” wastewater treatment plant that is

located 4 km north of Struga. It supports primary and secondary treatment and has a capacity
of 40,000 m3/day or 120,000 PE; it functions at 40-60% of its capacity. Treated wastewater is
disposed into the Black Drin River.

According to available information about 65% of the wastewater produced in the Ohrid-
Struga region is collected and treated. The sewerage network has been expanding to cover
additional settlements in the Ohrid and Struga municipalities in accordance to a general
development plan for the regional sewerage system until 2025 (prepared in 2001).

Prespa-Ohrid Regional Spatial Plan provides for a number of related activities in the Ohrid
and Struga areas i.e. connection of additional 37 villages to the primary collector19;
completion of the sewerage network in the town of Struga as well in a number of villages20;
expansion of the capacity of the waste water treatment plant to 180,000 PE; construction of
sewerage networks and local treatment facilities in relatively remote settlements21.

There have been developments in this regard in the Debarca municipality. A sewerage system
and waste water treatment plant has been built in the Belchishta village while technical
documentation for the construction of sewerage networks with local waste water treatment
plants for a number of villages22 has been prepared.

The public enterprise “Ohridski Komunalec” serves -i.e. collects, transports, and disposes
solid waste- the Ohrid region, including many of the villages along the Lake Ohrid shoreline.
Nevertheless, the inland villages are not served; waste is dumped in dumpsites.

Urban solid waste collected is disposed in the Bukovo communal dump, in operation since
1978, about 25 km away from the town of Ohrid; it is used for both household and industrial
solid waste disposal. According to an evaluation made, the dump poses “high risk” to the

18
The system is managed by the inter-municipal public enterprise “Proaqua” founded by the municipalities of Ohrid and
Struga; Proaqua is also responsible for the management of the water supply systems of Ohrid and Struga.
19
- 15 villages in Ohrid Municipality: Peshtani, Elshani, Eleshec, Konjsko, Shipokno, Sv. Stefan, Velestovo, Velgoshti,
Ramne, Leskoec, Kosel, Gorno Lakocherej, Dolno Lakocherej, Orman and Podmolje;
- 17 villages in Struga Municipality: Drslajca, Lozhani, Veleshta, Oktisi, Dolna Belica, Vranishta, Zagrachani, Shum,
Frangovo, Radozhda, Livada, Novo Selo, Bidzevo, Radolishta, Kalishta, Misleshevo and Moroishta; Vevchani Municipality:
Vevchani;
- 6 villages in Debarca Municipality: Orovnik, Gorenci, Trebenishta, Volino, Klimeshtani and Mesheishta;
20
Radolishta, Kalishta, Misleshevo and Moroishta
21
In Trpejca, Ljubanishta, Vishni and Mali Vlaj as well as in other villages in the municipalities of Ohrid and Struga
22
Botun, Velmej, Zlesti, Leshani and Slatino

- 180 -
 environment in general and Lake Ohrid more particular. The disposal site (“Alcevi Kosari”)
that serves Resen (Prespa watershed) is ranked as of “medium risk”.

About 4,800 households and the industrial facilities in the town of Struga as well as three
villages in its vicinity, Radozda, Vranista and Mislesevo are served by the public enterprise
“Komunalec,” which collects, transports, and disposes solid waste to the “Kafasan” disposal
site. This has been in operation since 1995 and is situated 12 km southwest of Struga, near the
village Mali Vlaj, about 2 km away from Lake Ohrid. The disposal site is partly fenced, but is
not lined and there is no drainage system or biogas collection.

100
90
80
80
70
60
60
50
40
40
30
20 20
%
10
0 0
Ohrid Struga Vevchani Resen Debarca Ohrid Struga Vevchani Resen Debarca

Figure 2.3.1: Percentage of population served Figure 2.3.2: Coverage (%) of the municipality centers
by solid waste collection and transport systems in the Prespa and Ohrid watersheds in FYR
in municipalities in the Prespa and Ohrid Macedonia, with sewerage networks
watersheds in FYR Macedonia

Source: GWP-Med, personal communications

Note: Data given here need to be treated with caution as their accuracy could not
be verified by the authors

Public Communal Utility “Standard” is responsible for solid waste management, water supply
and sanitation in the Municipality of Debar. The municipal landfill, located only 3km from
the city on the road to Border with Albania, is in a very bad condition. It is not fenced, there
are cases of illegal dumping, the waste is not classified and machinery used on the landfill is
obsolete. This landfill receives waste also from the neighboring Municipality of Mavrovo-
Rostushe.
The development of a feasibility study for the management of waste water flowing in to the
Black Drin River from Struga to Debar as well as the selection of plastic and paper waste
were activities of a project under the auspices of the Center of Development of the South-
West Region (Vevcani, Debar, Debrca, Ohrid, Struga and Centar Zupa are within the Black
Drin Watershed).

Summarizing, the following may be considered as the main problems with regard to solid
waste management in the sub-basins in the country:

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 − Insufficient solid waste collection, hence management;
− Inappropriate equipment for collection of waste;
− Inappropriate technical-sanitary conditions in the communal disposal sites;
− Inexistence of organized sites for deposition of building rubble in some municipalities
such as Struga, Resen and Debarca;
− Inappropriate management of industrial non-hazardous and hazardous waste;
− Inappropriate management of medical waste.

Overall waste management is an issue; the insufficient waste collection (Figure 2.3.1) in the
three sub-basins is coupled with the operation of illegal dumpsites where urban solid waste
and building rubble are deposited. The hazardous and non-hazardous industrial wastes are
usually deposited on locations in the limits of the industrial complexes. There are cases that
these are deposited in the communal disposal sites and the same is true for the medical waste
generated.

2.3.3 Montenegro

Overall, water supply, waste and wastewater management infrastructure is poorly developed.

There are no accurate data regarding the current state of connections to water-supplying
networks. Processed data available are those of 1996 used for the Water Management
Strategy (2001) – see Table 2.3.5. As population increased since due to urbanization, mainly
in Podgorica, Bar, Ulcinj and Kolasin, data presented below are only indicative.

Table 2.3.5: Number of inhabitants (urban vs. rural) in Montenegro connected to water supplying
systems (1996)
Municipality No. of inhabitants* No. of users connected to water
supplying systems
Urban Rural Total Urban Rural Displaced Total
settlements settlements settlements settlements persons
Bar 15,851 14,100 29,951 15,633 12,500 2,467 30,600
Danilovgrad 6,304 6,500 12,804 6,060 5,850 565 12,475
Kolasin 2,847 3,228 6,075 2,700 2,740 360 5,800
Niksic 59,650 5,830 65,480 59,050 5,760 2,190 67,000
Podgorica 129,270 - 129,270 129,000 - 5,700 134,700
Ulcinj 11,824 9,144 20,968 11,700 8,450 620 20,770
Cetinje 16,933 1,060 17,993 16,600 840 256 17,696
Source: Water Management Strategy, 2001
*
1991 Census

Substantial losses ranging from ~35% up to 80% have been attributed to the obsolete
networks (constructed in the 70’s). Furthermore, damages have been caused by the many new
illegal connections – an outcome of urbanization and illegal construction. A water supply
system is currently under re-construction in Kolasin municipality with the financial support of
the EU.

Bar and Ulcinj municipalities are connected to the Regional Water Supply System for
Montenegrin Coast using water from the “Bolje Sestre” karstic spring located in the Skadar
Lake. The connection of Cetinje to the system is under consideration. Water is delivered to
the cities and then distributed through the municipal water supply systems.

- 182 -
The rural communities along the rivers of the sub-basins of focus and in the vicinity of
Shkoder/Skadar Lake are served by rural networks using water from smaller groundwater
springs; individual houses are supplied from wells. Groundwater pollution caused by the
Aluminum Plant in the Zeta Valley is a problem in this regard.

Improvement/reconstruction of the water supply systems in all municipalities is necessary.

A wastewater treatment plant (110,000 PE. - supporting primary and secondary treatment)
serves about 50% of the population of the city of Podgorica.

Apart from this in Podgorica, the only existing wastewater treatment facilities in the
watershed of Shkoder/Skadar and Buna/Bojana are three small plants in the settlements of
Virpazar, Rijeka Crnojevica and Vranjina in the vicinity of the Lake, constructed with the aim
of protecting the lake. Nevertheless, two out of three (Virpazar and Rijeka Crnojevica) do not
function properly due to shortages in electricity supply and construction related problems.

Wastewaters from Niksic and Cetinje are discharged untreated into open drains. There are
plans for the construction of treatment plants in Niksic, Bar and Ulcinj municipalities to serve
the urban areas. Decision with regard to the technology to be used will be based, among
others, on the available financial resources. Planning is most advanced in the case of Niksic.
Table 2.3.6: Montenegro - Population connected to sewage Generally, septic tanks are used
collection networks in the 4 municipalities in the where sewers are not available
Shkoder/Skadar Lake sub-basin (Table 2.3.6) although there are
Municipality Population* Population Percentage of also cases that wastewater is
served by population discharged directly to
sewers served by sewers watercourses or field drains or
Danilovgrad 16,376 14,303 87% onto open land.
Kolasin 9,934 8,292 83%
Niksic 75,274 48,274 64% Wastewater treatment is an
Podgorica 168,812 87,001 52% issue with what regards the
*
2003 Census major industrial facilities in the
Shkoder/Skadar watershed i.e.
Aluminium Plant and Wine Factory in Podgorica, Steel Factory in Niksic, and the Port of Bar.
There are treatment facilities in all cases however, none of them function in accordance to the
EU standards. The partially treated wastewaters are discharged in the rivers Moraca and Zeta
-hence reach the groundwater- or in the sea.

Waste collection systems cover just a share of the population i.e. 80% of the population living
in urban areas. Podgorica, Cetinje, Danilovgrad Bar and Ulcinj are served by an organized
system of waste collection and disposal in sanitary landfills. Wastes collected from Kolašin,
Nikšić and Cetinje are dumped in inappropriate disposal sites or even in the catchments of
watercourses that wash litter into larger streams. The sanitary landfill in Podgorica is
operating since August 2006 and in Bar from 2012.

According to provisions of strategic documents Kolasin will be one of the 7 municipalities to

be served by a regional landfill that is planned to be constructed in the northern part of
Montenegro.

- 183 -
 With regard to the quantities of solid waste currently generated in the municipalities of focus,
data are inconsistent and incomplete. The main reason is the absence of valid records.
Quantities of generated waste differ significantly from those collected, treated and disposed.

Estimated quantities of generated waste are contained in the Waste Management Plan of
Montenegro for the period 2008 – 2012; these are presented in Table 2.3.7.

Waste minimization, source separation, recycling and energy recovery from waste are at early
stages of planning. In the catchment area, only one regional recycling center in Podgorica is
operating with limited capacity.

Industrial or hazardous wastes are not managed separately. Improperly disposed industrial
waste (Aluminum Factory –KAP- in Podgorica and Steel Factory in Niksic) has led to
pollution of surface and groundwater (see respective part of the document, Chapter 1); in the
case of KAP, there are ongoing efforts to address the issues linked with hazardous wastes in
both the “red mud pond” and the open hazardous waste dump site.23

Table 2.3.7: Production of solid waste in Montenegro (estimate per municipality)24

Producers of waste Quantity of waste by municipalities (t/year)

Tourist Persons Tourist Persons

Per capita Local
Municipality Population (Overnight Working Refugees Overnight Working Refugees Total
production Population
Stays) Abroad Stays Abroad

Podgorica 169,132 74,169 10,352 12,507 50,532 111 766 1,138 52,547

Niksic 0,6 kg/per 75,282 35,826 1,522 2,500 22,211 54 113 228 22,606
capita/day
Cetinje 18,482 39,948 243 140 5,410 60 18 13 5,501

Danilovgrad 16,523 230 119 800 4,899 0 9 73 4,981

Bar 0,8 kg/per 40,037 721,774 5,502 7,191 13,652 1,083 458 654 15,847
capita/day
Ulcinj 20,290 588,280 6,202 1,360 6,789 882 516 124 8,311
0,9 kg per
Kolasin 9,949 18,575 104 500 2,225 28 6 46 2,305
capita/day

Source: Montenegro Waste Management Plan for the period 2008 – 2012

23
A residue of Electrolysis process. Feasibility study for remediation of open hazardous waste dump site has been completed
in 2012. According to the Feasibility Study the total hazardous waste volume is approximately 325000 m3. The cost of
remediation options developed ranges from 8,7 to 27,9 mil EUR.
24
Calculations of quantities of generated waste are based on the registered number of permanent or impermanent residents
and experiences of countries that are comparable to Montenegro in terms of economic development and waste management.
The quantity of waste generated as a result of tourist services varies depending on the season of the year and the region where
it is generated and is directly related to the number of overnight stays. The following waste production rates were used for the
calculations: tourist generates 1,5 kg/tourist/day; residents of Montenegro who belong to the category of refugees and
displaced persons generate 0,25 kg/person/day.

- 184 -
2.4 Economic Activities
2.4.1 Agriculture (Incl. Livestock)

In the Greek part of the Prespa sub-basin the primary sector employs about 56% of the active
population (2001 census - slightly reduced from 63% as recorded in the 1991 census).
Approximately 50% of the population active in the primary sector is involved in cultivation of
land; about 30% is involved in livestock raising. Beans, is the main crop cultivated, providing
75% of the total agricultural income, covering nearly 50% of the agricultural land and nearly
85% of the irrigated land. A little more than 75% of arable land is irrigated. Of this, an area of
12 km2 is irrigated with water from Micro Prespa – this area will be covered by an
underground dripping irrigation system (will reduce consumptive use addressing water loss
through evaporation as well as erosion). In addition, private wells are used for water for
irrigation purposes. Extensive animal farming is an additional economic driver in the area;
there are about 8,000 goats and 16,000 sheep grazed in the more mountainous parts of the
region.

(i) Albania

In the Prespa sub-basin 68% of the labour force is occupied in the primary sector which
generates 45% of the income in the region. Agricultural land covers a small part of the area
(6.4%) and in addition it is fragmented; its productivity is low also due to the current low
level of irrigation because of the destruction of related infrastructure. Agriculture is labor
intensive. Most of the agricultural production is used for household consumption; this is not
the case for the region that is next to the borders with Greece. There is no significant
abstraction from Macro Prespa for irrigation at present. A growing number of small and
medium sized agribusinesses have been recorded lately.

According to estimations, there are approximately 14,000 heads of livestock (cattle, sheep,
goats and pigs) in the area; livestock breeding supplies almost exclusively household
consumption.

In Ohrid sub-basin, agriculture is the most important economic activity; in 2005 it generated
55% of the GDP in the area (Watzin at al., 2005). Fruits (orchards and vineyards), wheat, corn
and vegetables are among the main agricultural products. A part of the agricultural land (total
agricultural land is 33.6% of the watershed) situated between Tushemishit and Pogradec is
irrigated using water from the Drilon River and Lake Ohrid. Water from Lake Ohrid is used
to irrigate the rest of the cultivated land between Pogradec and Lin. The productivity of these
areas has been limited due to the low quality of soil.

Fields around Macro Prespa and Ohrid lakes are very close to or extend right down to the
edge of the lake enabling the drained water to reach the lakes. As an instance, the drained
water from irrigated fields in the area near Tushemishit is directly or indirectly (e.g. through
Drilon River) discharged into the lake and is considered to be a major route of entry for
nutrients. It is also likely to be a major source of pesticide pollution. It has to be noted though
that, pesticides are not used extensively in the Albanian part of both sub-basins.

- 185 -
 Table 2.4.1: Use of chemical fertilizers in the Korce, Although the supply of imported
Devoll and Pogradec Districts in Albania in 2003 fertilizers began to grow after 1992
in the Korce region, yet their use
Utilization of Per ha of cultivated
Districts continues to remain at low levels,
fertilizers (tons) land (kv)
with the exception of Pogradec
Korce 4,072 1.4
District; there is no verified
Devoll 1,223 1.2
information with regard to whether
Pogradec 2,344 4.5
Total 7,969 1.6
this trend is reflected also in the
nutrient pollution trends in Ohrid
Source: Statistics of Agriculture and Food, Directorate Lake.
of Agriculture and Food, 2003

In the Drin Basin about 77% of the labour force is occupied in the primary sector; breeding
domestic animals, collection of medicinal and aromatic plants and cultivation of crops are
among the main activities.

Agriculture is not developed in the Drin watershed, mainly due to the fact that it is mostly a
mountainous area. Agricultural land represents 13.5% of the total area; arable land (57.5 km2)
represents 1% of the total land (see section 1.5).

In Diber County agricultural land accounts for 16% of the total area – there is no data with
regard to the area that falls within Black Drin watershed. Agriculture is not very developed
due to: the small size of agricultural land plots per household, which in the majority of
communes is not more than approximately 0.83 ha /household on average; the low soil
quality; low irrigation capacities; distance from urban centers/markets etc. In 2003-2005
approximately 50% of the agricultural land could be irrigated but only 33% was irrigated.
Fertilizers were not used due to their high cost.

In Kukes County agricultural land accounts for 10.5% of the total area; half of this is
cultivated. Crops include cereal, potatoes and vegetables. Fruits (including plums, apples,
cherries and pears) are also important for the region. Chestnuts –there are 240,000 trees
located mainly in the Tropoje District– and hazelnuts provide relatively good revenue. Crop
production for forage used in livestock breeding accounts for the biggest share of the crops
produced. Livestock breeding is very important; sheep and goats is the main livestock along
with some cattle and pigs.

In Shkoder County 13% of the area is agricultural land and of this ~29.3% is abandoned. In
the Districts of Puka and Malesia e Madhe, the abandoned land represents more than 50% of
the agricultural land and in some communes –also in the Shkoder District- it reaches 80%.
This may be partially explained by the fact that the surface of agricultural land per household
in the rural area is on average 1.31 ha (according to the 2001 census).

Approximately half of the agricultural land in the Shkoder/Skadar sub-basin (covers about
23.2 % of the total land, Figures 1.5.12 and 1.5.13) is used for fodder production. Most of the
cultivated land extends in the low lands around the lake. Non- mechanical agriculture, poorly
developed or maintained irrigation and drainage systems and fragmentation of land results in
low productivity yields.

- 186 -
Agriculture is an important activity in the Buna/Bojana sub-basin extending in 52.6% of the
land; cereals, vegetables, fruits, fodder and tobacco are the main crops (Figures 1.5.15 and
1.5.16).

(ii) FYR Macedonia25

Information (for 2000 as well as prospects for 2020) regarding the areal extent of the
agricultural land as well as of some of the main cultivations in the municipalities in which the
Prespa Ohrid, and part of Black Drin sub-basins extend at is given in section 1.5, Table
1.5.2. “Comparative land uses in the municipalities of Resen, Ohrid, Debarca, Struga and
Vevchani in the Prespa, Ohrid and (part of) the Black Drin watersheds for the period 2000-
2020”. According to this table, that is part of the Draft Regional Ohrid Prespa Spatial Plan,
agricultural land is planned to be reduced until 2020. Currently, the biggest part of
agricultural land (~39% of the total agricultural land in the area) lies at the municipality of
Resen, followed by the municipality of Debarca (~29%), Struga (~17%), Ohrid (~13%) and
Vevchani (~2%). This information indicates the comparative importance of agriculture in the
different municipalities. The main products are apples, pears, plums, walnuts and grains
(berry) fruits.

The primary sector (farming, animal breeding, fishing and forestry) is the most important
sector for the local economy in the Prespa sub-basin. Intensive farming is the main
occupation supplemented by animal husbandry and fishing. Agricultural activities are
important also in terms of employment; 60-70% of the population of Resen municipality is
dependent on apple production. The annual production is over 70,000 tons or more than 75%
of the total production in the country. 30% of the total income in the region is attributed to
apple growing.

In addition to fruit (except for apples other fruits are produced mainly for household
consumption) wheat is the second most important cultivation (1,200 holdings) followed by
vineyards (250 holdings).

It is estimated that 80% of the cultivated land is irrigated -the estimated current demand for
irrigation is 1.2 x 107 m3/year- through:
- the existing irrigation system using water from the lake. It was designed to supply up to 50
km2, constructed to cover about 20 km2, at the moment supplying about 5 km2 mainly due to
deterioration caused by low maintenance; there are plans for the rehabilitation of the system;
- individual abstraction of water from rivers, the lake or from wells. The latter are mostly
illegal; their number is believed to be 8,000 – 10,000.

The total irrigated area as well as the irrigated areas per product cultivated, in the Resen
municipality in the Prespa sub-basin as well as in the municipalities in Ohrid and Black Drin
are given in the Table 2.4.2 below. There has been a gradual shift to drip irrigation. Drainage
channels cover 50% of the irrigated agricultural land.

The use of herbicides and pesticides in the FYR Macedonian side of the basin is substantial;
pesticides seem to be overused as much as 50 percent (UNDP, Project document. GEF
“Integrated Ecosystem Management in the Prespa Lakes Basin of Albania, FYR Macedonia

25
There are no new data regarding agriculture from 2007 onwards available in the State Statistical office.

- 187 -
and Greece” Project) mainly at the Golema River sub-watershed affecting both the river and
the northern end of the Lake.

There are approximately 5,300 sheep in the Prespa area. Livestock breeding has followed a
declining trend. The few farmers for whom it represents an important source of income have
an additional/alternative occupation.

Agriculture generates 10% of the GDP in the area of Ohrid. Pastures support a variety of
livestock.

There are 160 km2 of arable land in the Ohrid municipality within the Ohrid sub-basin and
about 15,000 farmer properties registered, with an average size of 1 to 3 hectares.
Approximately 10% of the inhabitants practice farming as their main occupation.
Nevertheless, the old riverbed of Sateska has almost entirely disappeared because of the
expansion of agriculture in this area. About 60% of the arable land is used to grow wheat and
corn and about 25% for orchards and vineyards. The remainder 15% is used for vegetables,
tobacco, and other crops. The most important fruits grown are apples, quinces, plums, grapes,
and cherries.

Water used for irrigation comes from Lake Ohrid and the Koselska and Sateska Rivers.

- 188 -
 Table 2.4.2: Irrigated area (total and per product cultivated) in the Municipalities in the Drin sub-basins in FYR Macedonia
Sub-basin in which the Municipality Total Total Irrigated Irrigated Irrigated Irrigated Irrigated Irrigated Irrigated Irrigated
municipality covers part number of irrigated area of area of area of area of area of area of area of area of
of agricultural area, ha cereals, ha industrial vegetable, fodder orchards, vineyards, meadows, other
holdings crops, ha ha crops, ha ha ha ha plants, ha
that use
irrigation
Prespa Sub-basin Resen 2,764 2,496 17 1 48 23 2,360 20 23 4
Ohrid 2,297 640 141 8 139 38 230 20 51 13
Ohrid
Debartsa 1,633 563 269 6 159 20 83 7 17 3
Sub-basin
Struga 4,451 1,659 773 23 142 358 81 6 198 78
Vevchani 273 58 23 0 4 1 1 2 27 0
Black Drin
Sub-basin Debar 1,190 772 194 6 28 392 7 4 81 61
Mavrovo and
631 81 15 1 31 2 4 0 26 1
Rostusa
Source: State Statistical Office, FYR Macedonia; Census of Agriculture 2007

According to unofficial information there is uncontrolled and excess fertilizer use. Many banned, by the law, agrochemicals are obtained and
used in both Prespa and Ohrid sub-basins. The trends with regard to the import of pesticides in the country are presented in the Table below.

Table 2.4.3: Import of Pesticides in FYR Macedonia in the period 2002-2007

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007
Import [kg] 1,018,959 1,102,184 1,404,124 1,352,898 1,490,415 1,781,090
Import [value in USD] 5,373,923 6,064,767 8,295,132 8,926,449 8,984,831 11,806,583

Source: State Statistical Office, FYR Macedonia

189
According to this data there is an increase of more than 40% in the import of pesticides during
the period 2002 - 2007. Taking into account that, as mentioned above in the document, the
primary sector in the Pelagonia Region accounts for almost 1/4 of the total value produced by
this sector in the country or that 75% or apple production in the country is produced in the
Resen municipality it can be concluded that there should be an increase in the application of
pesticides in the Prespa sub-basin. Nevertheless, according to information from the State
Bureau of Statistics, there is also a trend in applying modern types of pesticides hence there is
a shift from persistent and toxic pesticides to less toxic and biodegradable.

Table 2.4.4: Development of stockbreeding in the

Livestock breeding, mainly sheep,
Municipalities in the Drin sub-basins in FYR Macedonia –
projection for the year 2020
is exercised especially in the
Mavrovo Rostusa and Debar
Municipality Livestock Municipalities in the Black Drin
Cattle Sheep Pigs Pultry sub-basin. The projections
according to the Draft Regional
Resen 1,660 2,800 960 133,500
Ohrid Prespa Spatial Plan for
Ohrid 1,800 3,900 1,250 111,000 stock breeding for the
Struga 7,700 9,600 4,460 119,000 municipalities that extend in the
Vevchani 140 1,650 460 6,400 respective sub-basins are given in
Debarca 1,170 5,900 1,860 195,000 Table 2.4.4.
TOTAL 12,470 23,850 8,990 564,900

(iii) Montenegro

The figure of agricultural land per capita for 2010 (0.0036 km2) is very close to this for EU27.
Cultivated land extends mainly in the Zeta plain and the plains around the lake. There are
plans to lower the water level of Lake Shkoder and increase the cultivated area by 140 km2.

Not all of the agricultural land –covering ~14% of the total area of the watershed- is favorable
for intensive agriculture due to the water regime (floods, intensive rainfalls or droughts). Land
in leveled terrains that is suitable for irrigation, covers about 510 km2; however only 15-17%
of this area is irrigated. This includes about 20 km2 of the Ćemovsko field and about 4.5 km2
along the Lješkopolje channel (parts of Zeta Plan) irrigated through irrigation networks; 4-5
km2 in the coastal region, the Zeta and Bjelopavlići plain, the Nikšićko field and along the
Moraca (irrigated by use of pumps, or from wells and springs or even with water from urban
and rural waterworks). As agriculture develops, construction of irrigation systems would be
unavoidable. Half of the agricultural area has drainage systems.

Usage of pesticides in the country, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural
Development, is very low -even 10 times less than in neighboring countries- and so is the
level of fertilizers usage. Specific data on types of pesticides used and possible soil or water
pollution are not available.

Kolasin is the municipality with the highest share of agricultural population in total
population -above the country’s average- followed by Ulcinj. A decrease of the agricultural
population accompanied the increase of active population (which is impressive in the case of
Ulcinj) in the 1991-2003 period.

190
 Table 2.4.5: Montenegro - Share of agricultural population and share of
active population in total population (%) in the administrative units that
the Drin Basin extends at in Montenegro
Census Share of agricultural Share of active
population in total population in total
pop., in % pop., in %
1991 7,0 39,0
Montenegro
2003 5,3 42.6
1991 4,0 37,0
Bar
2003 3,0 42.3
1991 3,0 43,0
Cetinje
2003 1,9 45.9
1991 4,0 37,0
Danilovgrad
2003 4,7 41.7
1991 19,0 41,0
Kolasin
2003 12,7 42.8
1991 4,0 40,0
Niksic
2003 2,8 42.7
1991 3,0 40,0
Podgorica
2003 3,1 44.7
1991 6,0 29,0
Ulcinj
2003 5,6 37.8
Source: MONSTAT

Montenegro can be conditionally

divided into five regions on the
basis of common features such as
climatic conditions, agricultural
production structure, arable land,
yield size, cattle density etc. – see
Figure 2.4.1
.

Figure 2.4.1: Montenegro – Division of the country in

accordance to a set of features related to agriculture and
rural development
Source: Agriculture and Rural Development Strategy of
Montenegro, 2006

191
Table 2.4.6: Montenegro - Municipalities and agricultural area structure
Region Municipality Total Agricultural Arable land
land
km2 % km2 % km2 %
Coastal H.Novi, Kotor, Tivat,
1,591 11.5 50,815 9.8 19,353 10.3
Budva, Bar, Ulcinj
Zetsko-bjelopavlicki Podgorica, Danilovgrad 1,942 14.0 78,997 15.3 29,045 15.3
Karstic Cetinje, Niksic 2,975 21.5 74,320 14.3 15,867 8.3
Northern- Kolasin, Mojkovac,
mountainous Pljevlja, Zabljak, Savnik, 4,462 32.5 184,528 35.6 63,054 33.2
Pluzine
Polimsko-ibarski Andrijevica, Berane,
Region B.Polje, Plav, 2,842 20.5 129,804 25.0 62,374 32.9
Rozaje
Montenegro (total) 13,812 518,067 189,745
Source: Agriculture and Rural Development Strategy of Montenegro, 2006

Agriculture in Montenegro is mostly developed in the Shkoder/Skadar and Buna/Bojana sub-

basins. These extend to or cover parts of the following three (out of the five) aforementioned
regions.

Karstic Region propagates across the central regions of Cetinje and Niksic municipalities, or
Starocrnogorski krs, up to Golija, Vojnik and Maganik. This region has a scarce quantity of
arable land, which is mainly located in karsts, sinkholes and depressions, which are numerous
but small and scattered. Karstic region comprises 21% of the total territory; arable land makes
up only 8% of the region. This feature together with aridity, limits plant production (except
for Niksic and Grahovsko polje) to crop and partially fruit production (up to 700-800 m a.s.l.).
The most significant agricultural sector in this region is livestock production, particularly goat
and sheep production that benefit the most from karstic grasslands. Beef and beekeeping are
also important. (Agriculture and Rural Development Strategy of Montenegro, 2006)

Zetsko-Bjelopavlicka, extending at the municipalities of Danilovgrad and Podgorica,

comprises 14% of the territory of the country. The main lowland regions in the country are
found here at an altitude up to 200 meters (Zeta, Malesia, Bjelopavlicka ravnica, Cemovsko
polje, etc.). This region has optimal conditions for diversified production including vegetable,
field crop, fruit and wine (including fig, orange and kiwi) and livestock production. It is the
most fertile area in Montenegro and there are both favorable climate conditions and
availability for irrigation (from Zeta and Moraca River as well as aquifers) – water abstraction
by farmers is mostly controlled. (Agriculture and Rural Development Strategy of
Montenegro, 2006)

Agriculture is a source of income for a number of settlements in Danilovgrad as well as at

Golubovci and Tuzi26 municipalities. Main activities – given in order of importance in terms
of income generated- are: vegetable production, cattle breeding, dairy production, poultry
production, viticulture and tobacco production.

Bar and Ulcinj municipalities form part of the Coastal Region. The arable land of the coastal
region is relatively fertile. (Agriculture and Rural Development Strategy of Montenegro,
2006).

26
Subdivisions of the municipality of Podgorica

192
There is a number of agricultural households in the hinterland areas of Bar and Ulcinj close to
the Buna/Bojana delta. Agricultural production is less important if compared to Zetsko-
Bjelopavlicka. Main products are sub-tropical fruits and vegetables; there is minor cattle and
sheep breeding practiced. Production is used for domestic consumption or destined to the
local market.

Box 2.4.1: Overview of agriculture presence by individual socio-economic areas in the National Park
Skadar Lake area

There are no farmer associations in the National Park Skadar Lake area.

The area of Krajina is significantly oriented towards agricultural activity. However, there is a small
number of active population in these settlements contributing to the decrease of interest in agriculture,
characterized by fragmented properties. In settlements of Krajina, the production of fruit (figs, pears,
cherries), early fruit is the most present and as far as crops are concerned, tobacco is the most raised.

In settlements belonging to the Crmnica area the number of active population is decreasing
contributing to poor presence of both agriculture and other activities. The size of average property is
small and thus the production is oriented only to personal needs. Aging of population has caused the
lagging in development of agriculture and other activities (fishery) that used to be a framework of
development of this area.

Zeta region as well as Malesia area is known for its agricultural production, particularly owing to
large percentage of arable land; agriculture is regarded as either the main or additional activity of
population in this area.

In Zeta, one of major problems is flooding of one part of arable lands, which reduces the production
capacity; this is an issue for the local population thus they may be positive in an eventual lowering of
the level of the lake. Complexes of the land are relatively large, thus by using modern mechanization
great results are being achieved, especially in vegetable growing. However, it should be mentioned
that despite good preconditions for agriculture, during the last few years other activities are present as
well (processing industry, trade, transport, etc.).

Source: Golder Associates, 2010.

2.4.2 Forestry

(i) Albania

Forests account for 23.9% of the land in the Prespa sub-basin. Unsustainable management of
forests including illegal logging by private companies and individuals, absence of organized
reforestation activities as well as wood cutting for firewood and fodder has led to their
degradation.

In Ohrid sub-basin, forests extend in an area of 24.5%. As in the Prespa basin, forestlands
have experienced extensive damages from fires and uncontrolled logging. Most of the lodging
is for fuel wood although lumber for construction is also produced. Lack of reforestation and
the use of forests for pasturing goats have led to serious erosion problems.

Forests account for 35% of the land in the Drin sub-basin.

193
In the region of Diber, forests account for approximately 66% of the surface; the forested area
is approximately 3.2 times larger than the arable land. Abusive logging and over-grazing after
1990 have lead to heavy damages.

The forested area in Kukes County covers 1,102.96 km2 or 46.5 % of the total area. In total
forests and pastures cover 69.5 % of the land; the highest percentage among Counties in
Albania.

Table 2.4.7: Timber sold (through auction) in the period 2007 – 2009 in Kukes County in Albania
Districts 2007 2008 2009 TOTAL
Kukes 2,295 m3 232 m3 4,403 m3 7,560 m3
Has 3,150 m3 - - 3,150 m3
Tropoje 2,265 m3 950 m3 290 m3 3,505 m3
TOTAL 8,345 m3 1,182 m3 4,693 m3 14,215 m3

Forests are the main grazing area for livestock (sheep and goat). Apart from grazing, illegal
lodging and forest fires are the main causes of forest deterioration. Illegal harvesting of
forests’ products –including timber- is mainly associated with the poor socio-economic
conditions in the rural areas especially at the northern areas of Kukes County. Illegal logging
also for non-private use, by various sectors including timber and non-timber wood material
processing industries, the construction industry, the limestone industry, etc. is also reported to
take place in the Kukes Region. The amount of harvested timber has decreased during the last
years due to the conservation policies implemented by the Ministry of Environment (and
mainly the former Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Water Administration). Apart from
timber, forest products as blackberry, mountain cranberry, mulberry, wild rose, chestnuts and
hazelnuts are also harvested.

Unsustainable forest management has led to serious erosion problems which persist, despite
efforts to reverse the situation through reforestation of the mountainous areas. In Tropoje
District, erosion is particularly severe in the areas of Fierza, Lekbibaj, Valbona and on the
slopes near the shores of Koman Lake. Mountain streams flowing into Koman Lake cause
accumulation of material in the lake that sometimes obstruct ferry boat movement. The Has
District also suffers from deforestation.

According to estimates, erosion from mismanaged high altitude land, reaches 300
tons/ha/year at 2 cm depth; the average rate of land erosion for Albania is 30 tons/ha/year.
High levels of erosion result in significant loads of material transported into the lake of the
Hydro-Power Station of Vau i Dejes may result in the increase of the rate of filling up of the
artificial lake.

In Shkoder/Skadar and Buna/Bojana sub-basins forests cover 22.8% and 6.9% respectively.
In Shkoder County forests cover an area approximately 4.7 times larger than this of the arable
land. Puka District is the most forested one in the Albania; the respective area is 22 times
larger than the arable land. As elsewhere in the country abusive illegal lodging is an issue.

Forests in Buna/Bojana sub-basin consist mainly of Salix, and less of Robinia, Populus and
Tamarix. The natural forests along the seashore are damaged or threatened by constructions.
The forests of the protected area of Velipoja Reserve are better conserved; species of alix and
Populus, Fraxinus excelsior, Fraxinus angustifolia, Quercus robur, Alnus glutinosa, Ulmus

194
campestris, Cornus sanguinea, Cornus mas, Tamarix parviflora and many other cultivated
trees, such as Populus, Pinus, Robinia are found (See also section 1.8).

(ii) FYR Macedonia

In Prespa sub-basin, forests cover 25.4% of the area; 154.45 km2 are within the “Galicica”
National Park (144.58 km2) and “Pelister” National Park (9.86 km2). Leaf trees (mainly beech
and oak) and bushes prevail against a very limited forest cover of coniferous trees (mainly
black pine and fir).
Table 2.4.8: Forest areas and types of trees in the Regions that the Drin Basin extends at in FYR
Macedonia, 2008
Pure tree stands Mixed tree stands Mixed tree stands of
Pure tree stands Mixed tree stands of
Total of broad-leaved of broad-leaved broad-leaved trees and
of conifers conifers
Forest area (hectares) trees trees conifers
Republic of Macedonia 943048 547186 80576 254925 7472 52889
Southwest Region 183105 116379 14176 48558 1798 2194
Pelagonia Region 127185 78056 11355 24691 3041 10042
Polog Region 88091 50819 1541 29001 330 6400

Source: State Statistical Service, FYR Macedonia

Information (for 2000 as well as
prospects for 2020) about the
areal extent of forests and forest
land in the municipalities in
which the Prespa, Ohrid and part
of the Black Drin watersheds
extend, is given in section 1.5
Land Cover, Table 1.5.2.
“Comparative land uses in the
municipalities of Resen, Ohrid,
Debarca, Struga and Vevchani in
the Prespa, Ohrid and (part of)
the Black Drin watersheds for
the period 2000-2020”.

Reforestation is a widely
exercised practice.

In Ohrid sub-basin, types of

trees in the forests in Ohrid
Figure 2.4.2: Areas under forests in municipalities in the municipality include: oak (55 %
Drin Basin in FYR Macedonia (2008) of the forest), beech (35%) and
Source: Adapted from publication of State Statistical Office, FYR American pine (10%). Forests
Macedonia, 2009 cover an area of 612.25 km2. The
majority of timber harvested is
used for heating purposes. About 90% of the forests are owned and managed by the state
through its Regional Forest Management Units. As stated by Avramoski et al. (2003), cutting
is regulated and approximately 130-300 ha are forested each year, but much of this
reforestation is made with the exotic American pine because its growth rate is 4-7 times faster
than the native species. However, due to reforestation, erosion is not as great as in the
Albanian side, even though there are still bare areas that require attention, especially in the
Sateska watershed.

195
The volume of timber harvest has varied significantly in the period 1993-2000 in the
municipalities of the Ohrid and Prespa sub-basins (Table 2.4.9 below – more recent data are
not available to the authors). The area of land reforested during the same period is shown in
Table 2.4.10.

Table 2.4.9: Volume of timber harvested (m3) in the period 1993-2000 in municipalities in the Drin
Basin in FYR Macedonia
Municipalities 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000
Ohrid 68,915 60,370 56,526 71,949 66,540 54,373 16,603 57,314
Resen 27,526 30,647 22,510 27,440 27,228 14,0555 15,120 15,120
Struga 44,855 40,879 33,846 46,043 37,683 29,999 43,520 47,427

Source: Institute for Statistics, FYR Macedonia 2001

Note: Resen Municipality extends and cover the total of the Prespa sub-basin area in FYR Macedonia

Erosion due to deforestation and uncontrolled grazing is an issue in some parts of the basin
and especially in the Sateska watershed; reforestation is planned until 2020 for the upper parts
of the Ohrid watershed. The decrease of the forest cover in the Jablanica mountain has been
also an issue in this regard.

Table 2.4.10: Area of land reforested (ha) in the period 1993-2000 in municipalities in
the Drin Basin in FYR Macedonia
Municipalities 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000
Ohrid 267 243 285 175 229 106 30 104
Resen 40 154 2 40 40 35 100 40
Struga 151 70 20 120 64 6 119 60

Management of the forests in the Black Drin area is focused on the sustainable production of
timber and firewood. Cutting the trees is permitted on 70 % of the annual growth of the bio
pulp.

The area that each of the key tree species cover in the municipalities of the Drin Basin in FYR
Macedonia for 2007 are given in the Table 2.4.11.

196
 Table 2.4.11: Forest areas and types of trees in the Drin Basin in FYR Macedonia
Sub-basin in which Municipality Total Total pure Oaks (all Beech, Other pure Total pure Pine (all Fir, ha Other Mixed tree
the municipality forest tree stands species), ha tree stands tree stands species), pure tree stands (of
covers part of area, ha of deciduous ha of of ha stands of coniferous
species, ha deciduous coniferous coniferous and
species, ha species, ha species, ha deciduous
species),
ha
Prespa Sub-basin Resen 216 154 119 30 5 43 41 1 0 19
Ohrid Ohrid 960 862 755 90 17 62 60 0 1 36
Sub- Debartsa 324 280 269 9 2 40 38 1 1 4
Black basin Struga 1569 1539 1224 100 215 8 6 1 2 22
Drin
Vevchani 20 20 1 1 18 1 1 - 0 0
Sub-
basin Debar 664 663 500 60 102 1 0 1 0 0
Mavrovo and
Rostusa 73 65 17 40 8 0 - - 0 8
Source: State Statistical Office, FYR Macedonia, Census of Agriculture 2007

197
(iii) Montenegro

Forestry is not an important economic sector in the central and especially coastal regions.
There is a very small scale (illegal) exploitation of forests by families, mostly for the
production of some domestic products and much less for heating (very rarely).
There is an obvious and significant natural expansion of areas under forests, as a result of
intensified forestation activities and reduced logging; forests expand at the expense of the
agricultural land.

In Shkoder/Skadar Lake sub-basin, forests cover 37.3% of the land; dominant structures are
coppice forests, thicket, shrubbery and macchia.

Stands of willow (Salicetum albae), which are the most abundant forests around the lake,
domestic chestnut, oak (Querceto castanetum montenegrinum) and European Turkey oak
(Quercetum confertae ceris), as well as hornbeam (Carpinetum orientalis) with several sub-
communities prevail. The most characteristic tree is the Skadar oak (Quercus robur
scutariensis), covering parts of south-west Lake's coast; forests of Skadar oak were
widespread in the past but have become substantially degraded..

In Buna/Bojana, the Montenegrin Oak-Hornbeam forests have been reduced to small

fragments, whereas larger areas of closed forests cover the foothills of the mountainous karst
hinterlands. In the small scale agricultural landscapes, fragments of this type alternate with
small meadows and fields (Schneider-Jacoby et al., 2006).

2.4.3 Fisheries

In Prespa sub-basin in Greece fishing represents a source of supplementary revenue for some
of the inhabitants; fish is sold outside the sub-basin.

(i) Albania

Fishing is well established in the Prespa region both as a revenue generator and for domestic
consumption; the total of the production is destined to the local market. The recorded catch in
the last 5 years has been reducing.

The total number of fishermen in Prespa Lakes is estimated at 100 out of which 80 are
licensed (60 in Macro Prespa and 20 in Micro Prespa); these are members of the Fishery
Management Organization (FMO). In addition to the illegal fishermen (10-20), a number of
peasants fish for own consumption. In general, fishing is exercised for additional revenue to
this coming (mainly) from farming.

The main species that have commercial interest are: Common carp (Cyprinus carpio), Bleak
(Alburnus alburnus), Common nase (Chondrostoma nasus), Barbell (Barbus prespensis),
Leuciscus cephalus etc. A stock of eels in the Micro Prespa is gradually diminishing due to
over-fishing. Prior to 1990 about 200 tons were caught each year, but the recorded catch has
been dropping during last years to 80-100 tons per year.

There are no aquaculture activities in the Prespa watershed due to lack of stable freshwater
supply. There is a state owned carp hatchery in Zvezda village which uses autochthonous carp

198
broodstock in order to produce fingerlings that are used to repopulate the lake (this hatchery
produces annually nearly 300,000 fingerlings and 200,000 pre-fingerlings).

In Ohrid, fishing is a traditional activity and is considered as an important resource for those
living in the area. There are about 300 fishermen in the Ohrid lake area. In 1994-1996 six
fishermen cooperatives with 120 fishermen and 60 boats were licensed and harvested 140-160
tons of fish annually. The Ohrid Lake FMO was established in 2003 having as members 104
licensed beneficiaries. In 2009 out of the 300 fishermen, only 13 were licensed. The total
annual fish catch now is estimated at less than 100 tons. The Ohrid trout accounts for 75% of
the catch, the bleak for 10% and the common carp for 8%; other species represent the rest 7%.

There are three hatcheries in the area in Lin, Tushemishit and Zagorcan.

There is some fishing activity in the artificial lakes and reservoirs created along the course of
the Drin River.

In 2009, an FMO was founded at Fierza Lake to manage fishing in Fierza and Koman Lakes.
Fish catch is now reduced from 200 tons to 50 tons per year (mostly pike perch); nevertheless,
the fish value is higher. Trout is also fished and traded. Until 1994 a state owned fish hatchery
existed in the region, located in Kukes town.

About 30 tons were fished per year in Vau i Dejes Lake when fishing was managed by the
(then existing) Fishery Enterprise of Shkoder. Currently, fishing is minimal; there are about
15, not licensed, fishermen fishing in the lake using 5 wooden boats without engine.

Fishing in Shkoder/Skadar Lake was controlled prior to 1992; there were about 300
fishermen harvesting about 1,900 tons annually. Fishing became uncontrolled from 1992 until
May 2003 when an FMO was established. The number of licensed fishermen is currently 206,
using 65 boats.

Fishing in the biggest part of Buna/Bojana River is managed by the FMO of Shkoder Lake;
in the Velipoja Lagoon a group of fishermen is working independently at the fish barriers in
the channels communicating with the sea. There is extensive illegal fishing performed by both
registered (legal) and non-registered (illegal) fishermen. From Velipoja Lagoon to the sea the
number of illegal fishermen is estimated to be around 120. The fishing prohibition period,
from March 15 to August 31 is not respected. Fishing in the Viluni Lagoon near the Buna
delta is neither well managed nor controlled. There are about 20 licensed fishermen working
using 5 wooden boats; nevertheless a considerable number of people (10-15) fish daily in the
lagoon.

(ii) FYR Macedonia

Fishing is an important source of income for some (4) of the villages around the lake Prespa.
The average number of fishermen is 50.

Transboudary Fish and Fisheries Management Plan of the Prespa Lakes Basin has been
developed under the auspices of the UNDP/GEF Transboundary Management Project in
2008, following a coordinated field survey and analysis of current status of fish and fisheries
in all three states sharing the basin.

199
The fishing bans per species were determined in the Master Plan for the FYR Macedonian
side as part of the effort to provide adequate protection to fish and their habitats. The plan
determines the Total Allowable Catch Quota (TACQ) per fish species (estimated with their
minimum catchable length (MCL)), the number of fishermen and fish guardians, the types of
fishing and number of days and fishing gears per fisherman per species. Commercial and
recreational fishing is allowed in the lake, while only recreational is allowed in the rivers.
Aquaculture activities are not allowed at all within the lake but are allowed in the watershed
but only for Prespa Basin autochthonous fish species.

Although fishery is very significant for the economy in the FYR Macedonian part of the
Prespa area, there was a total ban (moratorium) from 2007 until 2012.

Prespa Lake was restocked with carp (700,000 fish of 20-100 grams) in the FYR Macedonian
side of the lake at the end of October 2013. The activity was part of the Program for financial
support of fisheries and aquaculture in the country.

Fishing in Ohrid is a significant economic activity linked also with tourism. In Ohrid in FYR
Macedonia there are limits on the catch through concessions and licenses granted by the
government.

Concessions for commercial fishing were granted in 2012 for a period of 6 years to the
companies: Pastrmka 2012 from Ohrid, for the Ohrid Lake; Ohridska Pastmrka from Struga,
for the reservoir Globochica (from the outflow of Black Drin River to the dam of the reservoir
and for all tributaries to the reservoir); Lovdzija Struga for the Dam Globochica and the river
till the Dam Shpilje. One recreation fishing concession was granted to the company Vardar
for Lake Prespa.

Figure 2.4.3: Relative participation of the most abundant commercial fish species in the total annual
catch (1946-2006) at the FYR Macedonian part of the Lake Prespa.

Source: GEF/UNDP “Integrated ecosystem management in the Prespa Lakes Basin of Albania, FYR Macedonia
and Greece” Project - Transboundary Fish and Fisheries Management of the Prespa Lakes Basin

200
 Figure 2.4.4: Total annual catch (1946-2006) at the FYR Macedonian part of the Lake Prespa

Source: GEF/UNDP “Integrated ecosystem management in the Prespa Lakes Basin of Albania, FYR Macedonia
and Greece” Project - Transboundary Fish and Fisheries Management of the Prespa Lakes Basin

Table 2.4.12: Surface and capacity of fish ponds in the Drin Basin in FYR Macedonia
Sub-basin in which Municipality Number of Total surface Capacity Capacity Capacity for
the municipality households area of fish for trout, for carp, m3 other fish,
covers part of that own ponds, ha m3 m3
fish pond
Prespa Sub-basin Resen 1 0 56 - -
Ohrid Sub- Ohrid 4 0 212 - -
basin
Debartsa - - - - -
Black Struga - - - - -
Drin
Sub- Vevchani 7 0 263 60 75
basin Debar 1 0 120 - 450
Mavrovo and
Rostusa 2 1 5,050 - -
Source: State Statistical Office, FYR Macedonia, Census of Agriculture 2007

(iii) Montenegro

Sport fishing is exercised in Moraca and Zeta Rivers; there are no precise data neither
regarding estimated fish quantities or fish catch.

Shkoder/Skadar Lake is the most important inland fishery system in Montenegro (National
Fishery Strategy, 2006). Commercial fishing is carried out by residents of local
communities/villages i.e. Vranjina (the community mostly dependent on fishing) Vranj,
Vladimir and Krajina. There are three fishermen associations with 250-300 active fishermen.
Fishery is regulated in NP Skadar Lake; there were 230 permits27 for commercial fishing, 208
annual permits for sport fishing and 237 daily permits issued in 2010. Nevertheless, there are
no accurate data on actual fish catch; fish log books are not filled in properly and there is no

27
128 permits for carp fishing with 10 gill nets and 5 permits for fishing with 20 gill nets; 83 permits for eel fishing; 2
permits for bleak fishing; 12 for fishing with “pari”.

201
information provided from fishermen to the NP Administration on either total catch quantity
or share of species in the catch. The fishing period for all species is from 01 June until 15
March, except for bleak for which the fishing season is from 1 November until 15 March.

About 80% of fish catch, especially carp, is sold on the informal market (e.g. across the main
roads).

Bleak and trout aquaculture is conducted by the company ''Ribarstvo'' (in Rijeka Crnojevica,
Cetinje municipality) as part of an agreement for granting rights on fishing in the Lake;
revenue generated for the National Park in 2010 was 21,366.68 Euros. The company
processes smoked lake fish in its processing plant: 147 tons of bleak (equals to a production
of 0.8 million cans) and 70 tons of trout (equals to a production of 0.1 million cans).

Sport fishing is developed in Buna/Bojana River; traditional methods of fishing are still
exercised (using special gill nets “kalimeri”). There are no FMOs.

Illegal fishing both in terms of means as well as in terms of violation of fishing ban periods is
exercised in both water bodies28. In the case of Buna/Bojana the situation is equivalent with
this in Albania (see above).

2.4.4 Industry

(i) Albania

There is no industrial activity in Prespa sub-basin. In Ohrid sub-basin, industrial activities in

Pogradec Municipality include mainly alimentary, textile (mostly knitwear and carpet), metal
and wood processing. Many factories (e.g. textile) have been out of operation however, there
is a variety of industrial plants that are likely to contribute to the pollution of the lake. In
2000, these included six factories producing metal chairs and tables -two of these used a
nickel coating process- seven factories producing metal (duraluminum) pieces for doors and
windows, one producing home stoves and a plant in the town of Pogradec producing
detergents. There was no wastewater treatment.

The textile industry equals to about 33 % of the economy in Korce County - according to
estimates, the total number of people employed in this sector is about 10,000. Growth in the
handicrafts, textile and leather industry is expected in the following years; the number of
people employed is expected to grow up to 16,000. There is no information available to the
authors with regard to the presence of textile industry in the sub-basins of Prespa and Ohrid.

There are more than 40 wood processing plants, of which about 30 operate in the town of
Pogradec and its vicinity. According to some information these have a share of the
responsibility for the unsustainable management of exploited forests.

28
Data on the illegal fishing in NP Skadar Lake (Source: NP Skadar Lake Administration, 2009):
- 29 requests filed for initiating court proceedings due to commercial fishing without a license.
- 14 requests filed for initiating court proceedings due to commercial fishing with gas lamps and “osti” (similar to
harpoons).
- 6 requests filed for carrying out commercial fishing using illegal gill nets.
- 36 criminal charges filed for carrying out fishing during the ban season.
- 4 criminal charges for carrying out fishing with aggregates.
- 4 criminal charges against the construction of fishing aquaculture facilities.

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(ii) FYR Macedonia

Currently there are 6 installations operating within the FYR Macedonian part of the Prespa
Lake basin which according to the regulations should comply with the Integrated Pollution
and Prevention Control (IPPC) permitting procedure. These installations include29: aluminum
manufacturing, food processing industry, brick production industry, fruits processing
industry, textile industry. The Municipalities, including these of Resen and Ohrid, are
responsible to issue permits, and monitor compliance with the permit conditions.

In Ohrid watershed the most important industrial activities are foundry of alloys from Al and
Zn (Learnica Ltd.), production and construction of electric equipment and construction of
industrial facilities (EMO Ohrid), production of plastic (Lihnida Ltd), production of house
utensils (Bratstvo), milk industry (Labrador), textile industry (in Struga) etc.

In addition to chemical contamination, food processing waste can be a significant source of

organic loading to the tributaries and the lakes. For example, in the Istocka River in the Lake
Prespa watershed, apple-processed pulp and other waste are dumped into the water. Much of
this material is discharged in the Prespa Lake.

A bottling factory (Croatian company "Mali Losinj") will be soon ready in the village of
Debar Gary; it will use water from nearby springs.

(iii) Montenegro

Industry was an important economic sector in major cities (Podgorica, Niksic, Cetinje and
Bar) during the pre-transition period. However, in period of transition to market-oriented
economy, many companies collapsed in Cetinje (Obod refrigerators factory, leather
production factory, printhouse etc.), while industrial complexes in Niksic were privatized
(Steel Factory, Beer Factory, Bauxite mines) with moderate success.
The same was true for Podgorica industries (furniture processing, mechanisation processing,
textile processing, tobacco processing, etc.); either their production was decreased or
operation was terminated. The most important industry in the municipality is the KAP
(Aluminium Plant); it uses obsolete, in terms of technology, production processes and impacts
the environment causing air, soil and surface waters and groundwater pollution. Its operation
is sustained through state financial assistance and guarantees while its economic outcomes
depend on aluminium price at global market. Termination of operations is being considered;
nevertheless, being an issue of both economic and political importance related decision is
pending.

Vineyard Company “Plantaze”, located also in Podgorica municipality, has been successfully
restructured and is an economically viable industry. It manages the biggest agricultural
complex in Montenegro.

29
Swisslion Agrar (poultry farm - over 40,000 egg-laying hens); Aluminum and zinc foundry, Algreta (capacity: 10t/day);
CD Fruit Ltd., Carev Dvor village, Resen (juices and juice concentrates production; capacity: 70 t/day);
Swisslion Agroplod Ltd., Resen (food industry; capacity: 40.48 t/day); Hamzali JSC, Resen (production of ceramics;
capacity: 69 t/day).

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The economic outcomes of the port of Bar, depends on the level of domestic production of
primary and secondary economic sectors. Still, it is an important maritime transport facility
having favorable development prospects.

2.4.5 Mining

(i) Albania

Employment in the mining sector is expected to grow as a result of the revitalization of the
ore industries of copper, iron, coal, nickel, silicate and probably asbestos.

The Korce County, including Pogradec District, is rich in coal, iron, nickel, copper, powder,
asbestos, quartz sands, chromium, construction materials and decorative stones. Several
mines, two extracting chromium ore, three extracting iron-nickel ore, and four extracting coal
as well as one enrichment plant, located in a distance of 10 km from the lakeshore, operated
until the early 90’s. Presently, all are closed. Nevertheless, 6-7 illegal small mines have
initiated operation in the east-northeast part of the Ohrid sub-basin during the first half of
2011; some of them are within protected areas30.

Gravel extraction, is one of the activities exercised in the Drin Basin nevertheless, not
intensively. Copper and chromium ore is still extracted and a number of enrichment plants are
in operation but at reduced capacity.

More than half of the chromium reserve in Albania exists in the Diber County. Since 2002
exploitation of chromium mineral has been totally privatized. In 2004, Diber generated
approximately 70,000 tons of chromium mineral, 8,500 tons of chromium concentrate and
8,500 tons ferrochromium. The largest mine is located in Bulqize within the Black Drin
watershed in the catchment area of one of its tributaries; this mine contains approximately
41% of the country’s reserve.

Currently there are 64 private businesses in the Diber County using chromium mineral.

Mines and mining processing industry is present throughout the Kukes County. While mining
industry has contributed in the increase of employment and income it has also led to the
deterioration of the environment i.e. forest coverage, biodiversity, water quality etc.

In the Shkoder County, there are several copper mines and 2 copper enrichment factories.
Currently the general production level in the copper sector is extremely low and it employs
only ~1.5% of the number of workers employed in 1989.

(ii) FYR Macedonia

Metal mineral resources in the area include: copper (in the wider region of Resen),
molybdenum (Prvce, Strelci, Evla, Vrutok etc.), lead (in Openica, Lakocherej, Berikovo etc.),

30
Personal information; action to address this issue is planned to be undertaken by the Ministry of Environment.

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hematite iron ore (Kuratica, Leshani, Grko Pole, Velmej, Skrebatino, Bolno, Openica etc.)
etc.

The most significant non-metallic mineral resources and marble beds are in Miletino,
Miokazi, Plasnica, Cer etc., and next to clays close to Velogosti, Jankovec, Botun, Tearce,
Vrben, Zlatari etc. There are also: dolomites close to Chajle, Lutovec, Sharo, Barbaros;
travertines next to Velmej; sulphur in Kosel and Kosovrasti; dyes near Norovo and Lipa etc.

There is coal in the Piskupshtina bed.

Dolomite/limestone and gravel are extracted from the river beds. The negative influence of
gravel extraction is very obvious in the flow of the Radika River in the Debar Lake near the
village of Kosel.

(iii) Montenegro

The most important mining facilities in Shkoder/Skadar sub-basin are the Bauxite Mines in
Niksic; they supplies KAP with industrial raw material. Their privatization in 2005, by the
same company that acquired KAP, was accompanied by the modernization of the equipment
and the production process and the upgrading of the safety measures. The annual production
output is defined as 650,000 tons of ore.

2.4.6 Power Generation

Hydropower production is an important economic activity in the Drin Basin.

The hydropower potential of the water bodies in the Drin Basin has not been fully exploited.
Additional plants are either being constructed or are planned in the three countries of focus.

Information about hydropower generation in the sub-basins of Drin is given in section 1.6.2
"Hydrologic Interventions – Dams and Reservoirs”.

2.4.7 Transportation

(i) Albania31

Important national road axes in the Korce County include this of Kapshtica –Korce - Qafe
Thane which passes through the Ohrid sub-basin. A part of this road, the railroad as well as
the road that connects Pogradec with the Albanian / FYR Macedonian border pass, passes
next to the shore of Ohrid Lake (Figure 1.5.7 – Annex 13).

A rural roads network of about 1,180 km in Diber County -almost all not asphalted- connects
villages with commune centers and these to national roads. The major part is assessed, in
terms of technical standards, as “bad” or ‘very bad”; this account for approximately 50% of
the overall road length in the County. A part of this network is passable or only partially
passable during summer, and this is more the case for the Diber District. The bad road
31
Maps in Annexes 13-16 depict the main roads in the Drin sub-basins extending in Albania as well as the boundaries of
administrative areas, main settlements and hydrological network.

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conditions have an effect on the economy in the area since it severely hamper transportation
of people and goods. The construction of a road that will connect Peshkopia with Tirana has
been initiated and expected to be finished in 2012. This entails a total reconstruction of a road
segment of approximately 73 km.

The highway built to connect Kosovo with Durres will pass through Kukes County.

The rural roads network of the Shkoder County is about 1,200 km long. This accounts for
approximately 69% of the overall length of roads in the County (84% and 83% of the overall
length of roads in the Shkoder and Puka Districts respectively). The major part of this
network is assessed as poor or very poor in terms of technical standards; almost the total is
not asphalted and approximately 42% consists of roads that are seasonally not passable
(mostly in Puka and Shkoder Districts). Most of the roads have not been maintained.

(ii) FYR Macedonia

The roads that connect the main urban centers in the Prespa and Ohrid sub-basins i.e. Struga,
Ohrid, Bitola and these with Pogradec, Albania pass next to shores of the Prespa and Ohrid
Lakes (Figure 1.8.3b). A secondary road passes through the Galicica National Park. The
Ohrid airport is located in the littoral zone of the Ohrid Lake.

(iii) Montenegro

There is a well developed road network connecting cities and municipalities in

Shkoder/Shkoder Lake basin; it is the most important part of the country in terms of economic
activities and hosts the capital city. In addition the area hosts the major airport as well as the
major port of the country - Podgorica Airport and Port of Bar. The two points of entrance
from Albania are located: (i) close to the lake at its northern part – part of the road to
Podgorica defines the outer limits of the National Park; (ii) in the basin of the Buna/Bojana
River – the road intersects the river.

Two major infrastructure projects in Montenegro are directly linked with the area of focus. In
the case of Bar-Boljare highway, one part should pass through the water aquatory of the park;
through the National Park. The Adriatic-Ionion highway, will connect all coastal
municipalities, and under an ideal scenario, be part of road that will connect Greece with
Slovenia. Both projects are pending at the moment due to the lack of investment interest as an
outcome of the economic crisis; the Bar-Boljare highway is considered as of high priority.

Lake traffic is related to cruising tourism - many ships are operating along the lake organizing
tours from Vranjina, Virpazar and Plavnica32 (see also section 2.4.8).

2.4.8 Tourism

In the Greek part of the Prespa sub-basin, the capacity is about 300 beds. Tourism is
developing; the availability of agro-tourism activities in combination with the proximity of a

32
This has become an important source of income for NP; however, without proper plan in place to set zones of activities,
there are open issues regarding the routes followed by the boats. It is expected that the new Spatial Plan for Skadar Lake
Region will clearly define protection zones, and subsequently, navigation routes.

206
skiing center in the Greek side is assisting in this regard. Tourism is recognized as a potential
market hence source of development; the local authorities are taking actions to promote it.

(i) Albania

There is no institution to manage tourism development and its operation or to monitor its
performance in Albania. Therefore there are little related statistics available in this regard.

In the Prespa watershed, there is small-scale rural and family tourism. According to the TDA
conducted within the GEF/UNDP “Integrated Ecosystem Management in the Prespa Lakes
Basin of Albania, FYR of Macedonia and Greece” project, a total of 500 overnight stays a
year are being recorded; a total of 8 rooms in Liqenas reflect the total related capacity.
According to other sources (Grazhdani D., 2008) there are few small hotels (34 beds capacity)
as well as private accommodation (500 beds capacity). The occupancy rates range from 9% to
20% for the few hotels and from 0.02% to 3% for private accommodation.

Although tourism development is still at low levels, tourism is expected to grow and expand
in some areas, such as those located along the Ohrid Lake or in the mountainous areas of
Liqenas.

The balneal centre of Peshkopia in Diber District attracts domestic tourism; it is visited by
approximately 60,000 persons for daily treatment and by approximately 3,000 individuals for
fortnight treatment annually. There is potential for development should the necessary
investments to improve infrastructure be made.

The geomorphology of Kukes County and the diversity of landscapes33 are assets for
ecotourism and adventure tourism. A tourism sector related to trekking, mountain climbing
etc. has started to develop over the last four to five years. The number of both day visitors and
overnight stays has been growing over the last couple of years and this is set to continue with
greater and easier access to the region (by upgrading the road network) and with the gradual
improvement of infrastructure leading to improved services e.g. electricity supply, water
quality etc.

Many of the about 20,000 tourists visited Kukes District (mostly visiting Shishtavec area) and
the 13,000 tourists visited the Tropoje District in 2009, were international tourists. In Has
District most of the 5,000 visitors in 2009 belonged to the group of those emigrated, returning
to the area for the summer; hunters from Tirana and Kosovo are among the visitors.

The Shkoder County has a large tourism potential, which is far from being used at its full
extent. The historical and cultural heritage, the Lake, the forests covering the entire
mountainous area, the Buna delta as well as the coastal area of Velipoja are assets on which
tourism development can be based on.

Tourism is gradually becoming an increasingly important economic sector especially for the
coastal area including the delta of Buna/Bojana; nevertheless, unplanned development of the
tourism sector and unsustainable practices in combination with illegal building and lack of
waste management infrastructure has led until now in the deterioration of this potential.
33
These include the Albanian Alps, Valbona Valley National Park, Gashi River Valley, artificial lakes of Koman and Fierza,
Shishtavec, Pashtrik Mountain, etc.

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(ii) FYR Macedonia

Tourism represents an important economic activity in the Prespa watershed. The area
receives a large number of visitors per year (reliable data are not available); there is a capacity
of approximately 7,000 beds (this number has to be treated with caution since it includes
caravan and camping sites).

In Ohrid, tourism is an important activity despite the decline that has been observed in the
past. The importance of tourism for the Ohrid region is illustrated in Figure 2.4.6. The
Southwest Region, that Ohrid area is part of, is the leading Region in terms of number of
tourists arrivals as well as in terms of average number of nights spent; it is the first by far with
regard to the domestic tourists arrivals and it ranks second with regard to the foreign tourists
arrivals, slightly behind the first in this regard Skopje Region.

With regard to the trends in relation to tourism in the Prespa and Ohrid areas, the increase by
more than 90% of the “non-productive land” or urban areas on the expense of other land uses
(see Table 1.5.2) reflects the plan for intensive tourism development involving the
construction of additional touristic infrastructure.

Vevcani Municipality (in the Black Drin Basin, near Struga) is planning to construct a ski
center on the slopes above the village of Jablanica. A tender for the selection of a consultant
to prepare a master plan and feasibility study will be issued within 2014.

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 Figure 2.4.6: Number of Tourists and night spent in 2006 in FYR Macedonia
Source: State Statistical Office, FYR Macedonia, 2009

Figure 2.4.5: Tourist map of Kukes County

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(iii) Montenegro

Tourism is the most important economic sector in the country. It accounted for the 26.4% of
the national GDP in 2008.

The tourism product is diverse: nature based tourism and ski resorts in the north, transit
tourism in the central region and tourism related to the sea at the coastal area.

While Kolasin municipality offers ski as well as nature-based options (hiking, biking,
climbing and kayaking), the central region is transit area for tourists from the coast to the
northern part of Montenegro. Podgorica is becoming more interesting for tourists; there are
efforts to constitute the city, tourism destination at least for overnight staying.

As for the two coastal municipalities Bar and Ulcinj, at the moment the main characteristics
are mass tourism and “all inclusive” resorts. There are plans (Tourism Master Plan until 2020)
for high quality tourism development, integrating environmental limitations and carrying
capacities.

The until now tourism development has put pressure to the environment as it has been based
on unsustainable use of land and other natural resources; there have been many illegal
constructions. In this regard, plans for quality tourism and sustainable development may have
already been hampered. Economic crisis affected the constructions of big tourism resorts at
the coast e.g. in Ulcinj (“Velika Plaza” complex, Ada Bojana).

Visitors represent a source of revenue for the National Park Skadar Lake. Tours with boats are
organized to visit the islands, hidden lagoons, small beaches, as well as Shkoder City in
Albania. Legal and physical entities providing such services must have a related contract with
the National Park. The total number of tourists was 40,242 in 2010 - mostly one-day visits
from the coastal region. The tourism “product” offered in the NP includes visitors’ centers,
observation towers for bird-watching, hiking and biking trails, vine roads, traditional food,
festival events etc.

210