‘The birds will fly away’: can Albania’s flamingo revolution keep its wetlands free from Trumps and tourists?
Protests have erupted in Albania over preparatory work for a luxury resort planned by Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner on a wildlife-rich wetland. The project, which lacks public consultation, environmental impact assessment, and planning permission, is proceeding despite concerns from conservationists about the impact on a protected area that is a vital migratory corridor and habitat for numerous species. The Albanian government maintains that the work is for technical surveys and disputes claims of reducing protected area borders. This development occurs as Albania, one of Europe's poorest countries, seeks to boost tourism, while also facing pressure from the EU to strengthen environmental laws.