Western Balkans Environment Programe

 Shkoder/Bajza, 5 June 2009- UNDP Hotspots Programme organized a television debate to discuss Bajza hotspot rehabilitation process and briefed 20 primary school teachers from Malesia e Madhe district on basic concepts of environmental protection by giving tool kits and classroom ideas on how to use a new perspective and information package with their children. 

 The Bajza hotspot issue and the need to raise awareness on the paramount importance of high environmental standards for human health were the theme of the TV debate organized in "ARENA" talk show, with the largest audience of the Shkodra based television network which covers Northern and Northwestern Albania territory, as well as Southern Montenegro.

 Representatives from UNDP, local community and experts of the field discussed on efforts being made to fully rehabilitate Bajza hotspot and more in general terms stressed the need to inform the general public on their environmental rights and how to use them.

 Ms.Klodiana Marika, Project Manager of UNDP Hotspots Programme  sais that June 5 is known as the International Environmental Day, so we have chosen this day to transmit to the community of Bajza and Kastrati the message that very soon the railway station will be completely cleaned up and this can create new development opportunities for the community, a healthy environment, not longer posed to the threat of the disposed waste.

 She added that Bajza project is a pilot project and that she hoped that this will be replicated to other clean up projects aiming towards a healthy and secure environment, which goes further to sustainable environment for Albania.

 Mr.Zamir Dedej, head of Institute of Nature Protection in Albania ( INCA) and Ms.Diana Bejko, representative of Regional Environmental Center(REC)  in Shkodra gave an overview of their activities in the region.  

UNDP is also working with other countries in the Western Balkans to address environmental problems through remediation of high priority hot spots project is part of a regional programme and covers nine hotspots in the Western Balkans.

The area being rehabilitated in Albania is Bajza railway station near Shkodra Lake where expired pesticides and industrial chemicals have been stored. The project aims to improve the environmental situation and quality of life for citizens living in and around polluted areas. This is being done through least cost measures, improved local and national policy dialogue and supply of domestic professional services in the environmental management sector.

An interview with Ms.Adriana Micu, Head of Crosscuting Cluster: Environment, Gender, CSOs at UNDP Albania aired during the TV debate can be viewed by copying the following the link to your browser:

 http://www.youtube.com/whatch?v=a194mULxESQ&feature=channel_page