Zvernec permits (KKTU, March-April 2026), protected-area status and the Bern Convention case
Status: Development permit reported (30 Mar 2026); preparatory works reported (29 Apr 2026); EIA requirement reported (15 May 2026); Bern Bureau letter (15 Jul 2026) open; no final decision found.
Summary
Decree No. 596 of 25 September 2024 (AKZM title, Official) declared the Pishe Poro-Narte area a protected landscape (category V, about 16,124 ha per search summary). A Council of Ministers decision VKM 694/2022 (per search summary of citizens.al) had merged the Vjose-Narte protected landscape and the Pishe Poro nature park and removed 310 ha; this was not verified in the decision text.
According to Citizens.al (2026-06-16, summary of search result) and other summaries, the National Territorial Council (KKTU) approved a development permit for Zvernec on 30 March 2026, and decision No. 5 of 29 April 2026 approved preparatory fencing and road works. The government says the permit is not a construction permit. The Environment ministry reportedly decided on 15 May 2026 that an in-depth EIA is needed. Reporter.al (2026-05-29) says the developer secured two permits from the KKTU within eight months of its establishment in August 2024. Dates are reported in conflicting ways (see contradictions register). The permit documents were reported as not public.
Bern Convention: the Standing Committee Bureau (meeting 17-18 June 2026; letter 15 July 2026) asked Albania to ensure compliance with Articles 3 and 4 concerning Vjosa-Narta. Albania's reply says the authorities will consider conservation values under national law. The Bureau will review it in September 2026.
Key facts
- 2024-09-25: Decree No. 596 (AKZM PDF title): proclaimed Pishe Poro-Narte protected landscape, category V.
- 2026-03-30: KKTU development permit for Zvernec (per Citizens.al summary; permit text not public per critics).
- 2026-04-29: KKT decision No. 5 (per summary) covering fencing and preparatory works; RFE/RL (Serbian) reports a fencing and access-road permit issued on 29 April.
- 2026-05-15: environmental authorities reportedly decided an in-depth EIA is needed (46 days after the permit, per summary).
- 2026-05-20: joint NGO declaration says at least three construction permits for tourist complexes in Zvernec were reported (search summary).
- 2026-07-15: Bern Convention Bureau letter to Albania (EcoAlbania PDF; summary).
The record
Four lists kept apart on purpose: what is established, what is only alleged, what is still open, and what those concerned said.
What is proven (1)
Established by documents or official records, as stated in the research. A recorded charge or indictment proves only that the accusation was made.
- Decree No. 596 of 25 Sep 2024 proclaiming the protected landscape (title of official AKZM document seen; text not read).
What is alleged (2)
Accusations, not findings. Those accused are presumed innocent.
- AllegationThe development permit was issued to Zvernec South Adriatic Development sh.p.k. within the protected landscape.
- AllegationConstruction works began in 2026 (environment minister says lawful, authorised by KKTU).
Allegations and who made them (2)
Each line is an allegation as recorded, with the person or body that made it where the record names them.
- AllegationNGOs (EcoAlbania, PPNEA, others) say construction permits inside the protected area were issued without public access to the decision, contrary to national and EU standards.
- AllegationCritics say the 2022 boundary change and the 2024 decree were used to make the area available for tourism (advocacy sources).
Open questions (4)
- What exactly did the 30 March 2026 and 29 April 2026 KKTU decisions authorise, and are they published?
- Which boundary applies to Zvernec after VKM 694/2022 and any later changes? No official boundary map found.
- Did the EIA decision of 15 May 2026 change the status of the permits?
- Are the permits still valid? Faktoje reportedly said (19 June 2026) that a building permit originally issued to ZSAD is no longer valid (search summary; unverified).
Responses (3)
Responses of the people and organisations concerned, as recorded.
- Rama (Albanian coverage, search summary): Pishe Poro-Narte remains a protected landscape and the law allows certain development; permits are not construction permits; an EIA is needed.
- Environment Minister Sofjan Jaupaj (Citizens.al, 2026-05-07, title and summary): the works are lawful and the company has permission (search summary).
- Albanian government Bern reply (summary of Bureau letter response): the competent authorities will continue to consider conservation values under national law.
Timeline
Full timeline →Government
Decree No. 596 proclaims Pishe Poro-Narte protected landscape (category V)
Official AKZM document title: 'Vendim Nr.596 date 25.9.2024 Per shpalljen Peizazh i Mbrojtur Ujor Tokesor kategoria V te zones Pishe poro - narte'. Search summary: about 16,124 ha; urban development allowed only with KKTU permit. Full text not read.
Protest
Local protest at Rrjoll (Baks) against the Blue Borgo resort; clashes with police reported by 4 Feb
Wikipedia (UNVERIFIED; the page carries a reliability notice) gives 2 Feb 2026 as the start date of a residents' protest at Rrjoll against the Blue Borgo resort, and says Albanian media described a third day of protests with clashes with police by 4 Feb (citing VNA). The sources read do not establish whether this is part of the Flamingo movement; the Wikipedia lead links it to the Zvërnec wave.
Government
KKT decision No. 5 reportedly approves fencing and access-road preparatory works at Zvernec
Reported in a search summary (Citizens.al / RFE/RL): decision No. 5 of 29 April 2026 by the National Territorial Council allowed preparatory works for fencing and road construction by ZSAD. Government says this is not a construction permit. Decision text not found. Conflicts with a Citizens.al-cited statement that the company 'has no construction permit' (Rama, search summary).
Protest
Heavy machinery enters Pishë Poro-Nartë protected landscape; lagoon channel reported blocked
BirdLife/PPNEA (7 Sep 2026, read) says heavy machinery entered the Pishë Poro-Nartë protected landscape in early May 2026 without permits, and that the channel linking Narta Lagoon to the sea was completely blocked for several days (day not given). Scientists warned that continued work could have caused ecological collapse (BirdLife). The government's early description, as summarised by BirdLife, was 'a technical survey ahead of an environmental assessment'; BirdLife says the evidence contradicted this. This is an NGO account.
Government
Environmental authorities decide an in-depth EIA is needed for Zvernec (reported)
Search summary (Citizens.al): environmental authorities decided on 15 May 2026 that an in-depth environmental impact assessment is needed, 46 days after the KKTU permit (30 March). Government says investors must complete an EIA before a final decision. Decision document not found.
Protest
Wikipedia dates the first protest against the project to 16 May at the Akërni site
The Wikipedia page (UNVERIFIED) says 'a major wave of protests followed on 16 May' at Zvërnec and that the first protest against the project was on 16 May at the Akërni site. No second source for this date was found; a search for a 16 May 2026 Zvërnec protest returned no matching report.
Other
Joint NGO declaration: at least three construction permits reported in Zvernec protected area
Search summary of the co-plan.org NGO declaration of 20 May 2026: at least three construction permits for tourist complexes inside the protected area reported; NGOs ask suspension of construction.
Protest
23 May 2026 given as start date of the Zvërnec protests by some sources
A Wikipedia mirror (search summary), a French-language search summary and a Danish-sourced summary give 23 May 2026. These are secondary summaries; the underlying articles were not opened. The date conflicts with 16 May (Wikipedia), 30 May (Wikipedia infobox and other summaries) and 31 May (citizens.al, first large Tirana rally).
Police
Zvërnec (Portonovo) confrontation: protester dragged by private security while State Police present
Residents and activists protested near the construction site at Zvërnec. Citizens.al (31 May, read) reports that private security guards dragged a protester away while State Police were present; an activist (Lëvizja Bashkë) says his footage shows the protester being dragged. Injuries are not specified in that article. Wikipedia (UNVERIFIED) reports pepper spray used, affecting police and an activist-journalist. The Albanian Helsinki Committee (search summary) says the protest began peacefully and the person was dragged inside the fence by people not from the contracted security firm, and that local police acknowledged this. A Vlorë police account reported by citizens.al says the activist had violently intervened. One guard was arrested in flagrante; two further people were arrested later; the State Police revoked the licences of two security firms (Major Security and Myrto Security 1.3A, per Balkanweb and ADN search summaries); SPAK opened an investigation (citizens.al, 1 June); the Vlorë local police director was suspended. Wikipedia says criminal proceedings were announced against 15 protesters (UNVERIFIED).
Protest
First large Tirana rally after the Zvërnec clash: 'hundreds' march to the PM's office
Citizens.al (31 May, read) describes a Sunday afternoon gathering of 'hundreds' in front of the Tirana Police Directorate, initially organised online. Marchers went to the Ministry of Interior and ended at the Prime Minister's Office. Chants included 'Albania is not for sale'. Organisers called for another gathering on Monday to demand protection of properties and protected areas and cancellation of the project. The article reports no clashes at this rally.
Government
Rama says he will speak on Monday about 'an extraordinary project for Albania'
Per citizens.al (31 May, read), Prime Minister Edi Rama said he would speak on Monday about what he called 'an extraordinary project for Albania', and congratulated the State Police for their reaction; the article says the wording on that point is unclear.
Government
Rama calls the Zvërnec incident 'isolated' and replies to Tsipras
Greek and Albanian outlets (search summaries: Tanea 31 May 2026, iefimerida, Balkanweb) report that Rama called the incident an 'isolated incident', said Tsipras was exploiting it for electoral purposes, and defended the project's legality. Tsipras and Greece's foreign ministry had condemned the incident after a member of the Greek minority was reported injured. Per Balkanweb, Rama said it would be terrible for private guards to drag a protester while police stood by.
Police
SPAK investigation confirmed; State Police acknowledge failures; Vlorë police director dismissed
Citizens.al (1 June 2026, headline and summary read via search) reports SPAK is investigating Zvërnec and that the police admitted failure. The State Police General Director (Skënder Hita) acknowledged serious shortcomings and asked the Directorate of Professional Standards to investigate the Vlorë command chain (ADN, search summary). SPAK confirmed the matter is under investigation without giving details (ADN, search summary). See also ev-2026-06-02-spak-probe-reported in.
Protest
Third large rally at the PM's office; headline says citizens reject Rama's dialogue invitation
Balkanweb (2 June 2026, 20:50, read) reports a rally at the Prime Minister's Office against the Zvërnec project. Its headline says citizens reject Rama's invitation for dialogue; the article does not describe the invitation. Quoted chants include 'Albania is not for sale' and calls for the cancellation of the project and the resignation of Rama and the cabinet. No crowd figure is given. The article reports no police response to this rally.
Protest
Tirana march of 'thousands' against the Zvërnec resort (Reuters)
Al Jazeera (article 11 June 2026, read) reports, citing Reuters, that thousands marched along a main boulevard in Tirana on Wednesday 10 June against the Zvërnec resort, chanting 'Albania is not for sale', and complaining about lack of transparency in plans by foreign investors. Al Jazeera calls it the largest protest yet against the resort at that point. Rama is quoted (undated in the article) saying an environmental impact assessment would be completed, the project would proceed responsibly, and would go ahead regardless. The article reports no police action or injuries at this protest.
Protest
Crowd estimates for June as summarised by Wikipedia (UNVERIFIED)
Wikipedia (UNVERIFIED, reliability notice) gives: 10 June 'hundreds of thousands' (BalkanWeb); 13 June 100,000-200,000 (international media, unnamed); 20 June more than 250,000 (Albanian media, BalkanWeb). Reuters and Al Jazeera described 'several thousand' in early June, and the Reuters-based report of 10 June says 'thousands'. No source read reconciles these figures.
International
Bern Convention Standing Committee Bureau meets (17-18 June) on Vjosa-Narta
Per EcoAlbania and search summaries of the Bureau letter: the Bureau reviewed developments at the Vjosa-Narta Emerald candidate site on 17-18 June 2026 and later (15 July) asked the government to ensure full compliance with Articles 3 and 4.
Protest
Five demands read publicly on 22 June (Wikipedia, UNVERIFIED)
Wikipedia (UNVERIFIED) says Dritan Goxhaj read five formal demands on 22 June: (1) resignation of Rama and the cabinet; (2) a non-partisan technical transitional government with a 12-month mandate; (3) a new constitution with electoral reform and a two-term limit for the prime minister; (4) repeal of amendments to the protected-areas and cultural-heritage laws, the 'Mountain Package' and the strategic-investments framework; (5) a new social contract. No second source was found in this research.
International
Bern Convention Bureau letter asks Albania for full compliance (Articles 3 and 4)
Per EcoAlbania PDF and search summary: Bureau letter of 15 July 2026 asks the government to ensure full compliance with the Convention and notes no updated Standard Data Form for the Emerald sites. Government progress report says it is open to dialogue on a possible on-the-spot appraisal. Bureau to review in September 2026.
Other
BirdLife at 100 days: lagoon mouth reopened 'for now'; government has neither repealed the law nor abandoned the project
BirdLife/PPNEA (7 Sep 2026, read) says the lagoon mouth has reopened 'for now' (date not given), that no formal suspension of works is reported, and that the government has neither repealed the 2024 law nor abandoned the project. BirdLife also says the EU objected to the 2024 law from the start (no month given).
Sources for this record
Every source the research cites for this record, grouped by its source label. 14 sources.
Source label: Officially reportedOfficially reported · 5 sources
- Publisher
- AKZM
- Date
- 25 Sep 2024
- Publisher
- EcoAlbania
- Date
- Jul 2026
- Publisher
- Citizens.al
- Date
- 31 May 2026
- Publisher
- Citizens.al
- Date
- 1 Jun 2026
- Publisher
- Al Jazeera
- Date
- 11 Jun 2026
Source label: Under investigationUnder investigation · 7 sources
- Publisher
- Citizens.al
- Date
- 16 Jun 2026
- Publisher
- Citizens.al
- Date
- 7 May 2026
- Publisher
- RFE/RL
- Date
- 31 May 2026
- Publisher
- Wikipedia
- Date
- 2026
- Publisher
- BirdLife International
- Date
- 7 Sep 2026
- Publisher
- CO-PLAN and partners (NGO declaration)
- Date
- 21 May 2026
- Publisher
- Balkanweb
- Date
- 2 Jun 2026
Source label: DisputedDisputed · 1 source
- Publisher
- Wikipedia mirror
- Date
- 2026
Source label: UnverifiedUnverified · 1 source
- Publisher
- iefimerida.gr
- Date
- 31 May 2026