Oil processing wastes are discharged into the stream and then end up in the course of the Vjosa River.
Environmentalist Niko Dumani raises the concern of pollution from the oil company "Albpetrol" in the sources of Gorishti and Koculi in Vlora.
In the decantation stream where clean water flowing from the hill and filtered water from the oil wells are supposed to be discharged, a high presence of bitumen greenhouse is observed. These chemicals are destructive to soil, vegetation and living things.
Niko Dumani: We are faced with the fact of identifying an old problem known for a long time not only by residents who live near the areas where different companies use oil resources but also in civil society organizations that the discharges of these companies are done illegally, uncontrolled and have a negative impact as they create not only air but also soil pollution. The most important is the pollution of the water environment. In this context, I would say that the Vjosa river has long been under the influence of the unloading of companies in the area of Gorrishti in the area of Vlora. The discharges have strong impacts because the wastes enter the group of dangerous substances, they are stable organic substances that do not decompose either in biological ways, nor with bacterial microorganisms, nor through the action of the photoclinical process.
The oil pollution of Vjosa has been happening for years, says Dumani, but the time has come to take measures now that it enjoys the status of "National Park".
Niko Dumani: We all have to react to prevent pollution. In addition to the physical pollution of living things, but also the people who frequent the beaches, create some massive accumulations that fall to the bottom of the marine environment. We have VKM that provide the permissible rates of discharge into the aquatic environment. The amount of crude oil being discharged is beyond the permitted rates. To sensitize the state opinion, especially the environmental inspectorate, the National Environment Agency, that the identified pollution is not accidental, but has been for years. Accumulated pollution is severe.
Another problem for the Vjosa National Park is the deposition of urban waste by the inhabitants of the villages that lie along the river bed.
By decision of the Council of Ministers, Vjosa was declared a National Park, which means that no type of construction will be allowed that affects the Vjosa River. The entire area of the river Vjosa, the coastal area, a part of the land surface, together with the three branches of the river Drino, Bënsh, Shushica, has been declared a National Park, with a total area of 12,727 hectares. The declaration of the Vjosa River as a National Park helps preserve one of Europe's last wild rivers. This status will not only protect the rivers, but is also expected to turn into a source of income for the area.