Western Balkans Environment Programe

Bajza project engages local community in environmental protection

High school students, teachers, health workers, and representatives of the local authority, Bajza commune, environmental NGOs and the media agree on the need to improve the quality of life of local residence through environmental regeneration.. The seminar was organized by the UNDP project, Identification and prioritization of environmental hotspots in Albania. Strengthening capacities in Western Balkans countries to address environmental problems through remediation of high priority hot spots is a regional project that covers nine areas of environmental concern. The area to be rehabilitated in Albania is the Bajza railway station near Shkodra Lake where expired pesticides and industrial chemicals have been stored. The Project is funded by the Government of the Netherlands.Technical coordinator Ms. Klodiana Marika informed the seminars participants of the steps underway by UNDP to fully rehabilitate the area. She also announced the introduction of an environmental programme within the school curricula to ensure the next generation is better informed about the need to safeguard the natural environment.

Mr.Gjovalin Veshti, head of Bajza commune welcomed the participants stressing that the local authority would continue to support the initiative in Bajza to ensure the successful implementation of its objectives. The director of Bajza railway station Mr.Valentin Popaj said that the rehabilitation of environmental hot spot in Bajza was important to attract new investment and improve the quality of life of the local inhabitants.As part of the seminar an environmental survey concerning the hazardous effects of environmental degradation on health was prepared and distributed 10 days in advance. During the seminar the project received 86 completed surveys from members of the community. The survey found that 53.5 percent of participants had reported symptoms related to hazardous chemicals. 33.7% of participants commented that that local medical doctor had linked health complaints directly to exposure to hazardous chemicals. This included allergies, headaches, respiratory problems and cancer. The results will be sent to the Institute of Public Health for further analysis. They will be used also to develop a public awareness campaign suited to the needs of the community. The ultimate goal of the project is to fully rehabilitate the environmental hot spot area in Bajza, while increasing the capacity of the local authority to management hazardous chemicals and waste in a safe and environmentally friendly way.

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About Project

The goal of the 30 months Programme is to improve the environmental situation and quality of life for citizens living in and around polluted areas in the most economical way.