Opposition MP Redi Muçi held an interpellation with Environment Minister Sofjan Japuaj about the investment in Zvërnec, focusing on the protected area. Like Zhupa, Muçi said that the law on protected areas was changed to pave the way for such developments.
Muçi said that fencing the area makes it impossible for fauna to move. According to him, the construction of new roads for vehicles inside the sand dunes requires a prior assessment, as it covers natural habitats of European importance.
"We heard the answer about Lake Shkodra, when we have the problem about Zvërnec. From the changes you made to the law on protected areas, before the changes it was specified that what were called central subzones had a special status. Regardless of whether the protected area was of the first or fifth category, within it were defined central subzones of levels A and B. And here I have the law. Construction of any kind, construction of recreational and sports facilities, movement with motor vehicles of any kind, with the exception of administration vehicles, as well as the use of land with intensive technology, was prohibited.
In 2024, you deleted all these provisions and left only a few aesthetic things, such as the ban on lighting fires and hunting, which do not hinder the march towards development that you planned. Those colleagues who proposed the changes of 2024, today should hide in shame. In 2024, we were in the square protesting. Shame on you! We don't have to say this, the whole people say it. My proposal is that they should resign an hour ago.
It has been more than a month since activists raised the alarm about the environmental damage. It has been 12 days and as of today, the development permits have not been issued. The company in question received two development permits for the construction of the resort, in January and April, from the KKTU, but the permits have not yet been issued.
This is a gang of thieves. The fence around the area makes it impossible for fauna to move. Work is being carried out within a protected area and two natural monuments are located within the fence. The construction of new roads for vehicles inside the sand dunes requires a prior assessment, as it covers natural habitats of European importance. The dunes have been flattened, forest areas have been removed to create the construction site, gravel has been laid to create squares within the construction site. Noise disturbance from heavy machinery affects biodiversity. The Minister of Environment knows these concerns, because if you don't know them, what are you the Minister of Environment for? What are you protecting? If you don't know what's happening, why do you have an environmental protection agency under your orders? You said that the barbed wire fence was built on private property with geological studies. They had taken the barbed wire into the sea. "Even the coast, even the winds, even the sea are our private property and the head of the KTTU, Edi Rama, decides about these," said Muçi.