The Vjosa-Narta Protected Landscape is a richly biodiverse wetland on Albania’s Adriatic coast, which features the Vjosa River, one of Europe’s last free-flowing rivers. It is one of the most ecologically intact river deltas remaining in the Mediterranean, spanning more than 250 square kilometres, and a critical stopover on the Adriatic Flyway migration corridor. 

The site carries IUCN Category V Protected Landscape status, is an Emerald candidate site under the Bern Convention of the Council of Europe, and is recognised as both an Important Bird Area by BirdLife and a Key Biodiversity Area according to the IUCN. More than 2,300 species depend on it, including over 70 classified as endangered, among them the Mediterranean Monk seal, Dalmatian pelican, and its famous colonies of Greater flamingos. 

Despite its protected status under European legislation, as well as under national law after the creation in 2023 of a dedicated sui generis framework, the first ever “Wild River National Park”, the site now faces a luxury resort development pushed through without proper processes. This threat is compounded by resource extraction, including gravel extraction along the river and hydropower projects further upstream, as well as a planned international airport near the lagoon. Since spring 2026, construction has proceeded without a published project plan, environmental impact assessment, or public consultation, including deforestation and fencing off public beaches with razor wire, sparking nationwide protests dubbed the “Flamingo Revolution.” 

Our member Euronatur, alongside with partners such as Birdlife International, and the IUCN have been working to advocate for the protection of the Vjosa Narta from the threats induced by tourism expansion in the area.

Threats

The Vjosa-Narta faces the threat of development from several sources. The Shushica river is under threat by the Albanian government as constructions aims to divert water from the river through an aqueduct to supply the proposed coastal resorts. The diversion draws from Lepusha Springs, the river’s primary water source. The IUCN has warned the springs hold “functional meaning for the whole river ecosystem,” and that diversion would remove the entire flow during dry months. Climate change is expected to compound this, with water availability in the basin projected to fall by roughly 30% by 2050. Gravel extraction, bitumen mining, and industrial run-off are also degrading water quality along the wider Vjosa, causing cumulative damage when examined as a whole. 

The most notable threat appeared in early 2024, where Jared Kushner’s Affinity Partners announced a resort spanning Sazan Island and the Zvërnec peninsula near the Narta Lagoon, with cost estimates ranging from roughly €1-4 billion, and plans for up to 10,000 hotel rooms and villas. The project was enabled by February 2024 amendments to Albania’s Law on Protected Areas (Law No. 21/2024), which critics say let the Prime Minister override existing protections, alongside a fast-tracked strategic investments law. Satellite analysis found substantial construction, including a new road and bridge, had begun by May 2026 without a published environmental impact assessment, public consultation, or valid permit. These developments will drastically affect the habitats of the Vjosa-Narta, putting several species at high risk.

Biodiversity value

More than 200 bird species use the site, including an estimated 3,000 flamingos and a major colony of Dalmatian pelicans (the world’s largest freshwater bird), alongside various other migratory water birds. It is a key stopover on the Adriatic Flyway, with the lagoon hosting over 20,000 wintering waterbirds each year. 

Around 70 species present are listed as endangered or critically endangered according to the IUCN, including the Mediterranean Monk seal and nesting loggerhead sea turtles. The endangered Albanian water frog also depends on the site, alongside more than 330 recorded plant species and over 100 fish species. 

The Narta Lagoon qualifies as an Important Bird Area, and is an EMERALD Network candidate. The wider delta holds 41 species listed under the EU Birds Directive and 78 under the Habitats Directive, the basis for its expected future inclusion in Natura 2000 should Albania ascend into the EU. The current projects threatening the Vjosa-Narta Protected Landscape have called into question Albania’s commitment to adhering to the EU acquis, and in particular to EU environmental protection laws, which could prevent its smooth accession to the EU.

Taking action

Since May 2026, sustained public protest has been the main force pushing back against the development. Thousands of Albanians have demonstrated across the country against the hotel development, and broader government corruption. As a result, construction work was suspended and the site’s perimeter fence taken down.  

In June 2026 our member Euronatur, alongside Eco Albania, PPNEA and 17 Albanian environmental NGOs active in the “Save the Blue Heart of Europe initiative” announced a boycott of Ministry of Environment consultation processes alongside 18 Albanian environmental NGOs, including PPNEA and EcoAlbania. They are refusing to participate until Law No. 21/2024 is repealed.  

The Bern Convention Standing Committee has intervened repeatedly on Vjosa-Narta, adopting Recommendation No. 219 in 2023 on the impacts of infrastructure and urbanisation, and for three consecutive years has explicitly ordered the Albanian government to halt construction of the nearby Vlora International Airport.

On 17 June 2026, the European Parliament passed a resolution calling for an immediate moratorium on new permitting and construction in Albania’s protected areas, and demanding repeal of the 2024 amendments. The European Commission has since halted closure of accession Chapter 27 (Environment) until they receive full clarification of the contested projects.  

As of August 2026, there has been no repeal of Law No. 21/2024, and the government has not submitted Narta Lagoon for formal Ramsar designation despite the site meeting the Convention’s criteria. The project has been stalled, but is not officially cancelled. 

Further information

Vjosa_Narta: Europe’s last wild coast

Conference on accession to the European Union – Green Agenda and Sustainable Connectivity

Yale Environment 360 – Jared Kushner has big plans for delta of Europe’s last wild river

The Flamingo Revolution

Wetland at  risk: let’s not sacrifice the Vjosa-Narta in Albania for the sake of luxury tourism