{"id":13612,"date":"2023-02-03T18:50:00","date_gmt":"2023-02-03T18:50:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/amfora.al\/?p=13612"},"modified":"2024-04-26T19:50:40","modified_gmt":"2024-04-26T19:50:40","slug":"erosion-and-urban-waste-at-the-cape-of-rodon-solutions-for-the-salvation-of-the-skanderbeg-castle","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/amfora.al\/en\/erosion-and-urban-waste-at-the-cape-of-rodon-solutions-for-the-salvation-of-the-skanderbeg-castle\/","title":{"rendered":"Erosion and urban waste at the Cape of Rodon: Solutions for the salvation of the Skanderbeg Castle"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>The Cape of Rodon is a bay that enters within the Adriatic Sea. Traces of habitation in the area date back to the 5<sup>th<\/sup>century B.C. and it is believed that in ancient times, this was a holy area dedicated to Redon, the Ilirian God of waters, sea, and earthquakes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Today, there are cultural monuments of the first category, such as the \u201cSkanderbeg Castle\u201d and the&nbsp;Sh\u00ebn&nbsp;Ndout Church (St. Anthony Church). Their existence are threatened in the last few decades due to erosion, climate change, and urban waste.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Amfora Media and the \u201cEDEN\u201d Center, which is of environmental character, have carried out an on-sight investigation to determine the current situation and the possible solutions which would improve the environmental situation at the Cape of Rodon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-background wp-block-list\" style=\"background-color:#ff8a00\"><li><strong>Planting vegetation and incorporation of sediments to address erosion<\/strong><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The Cape of Rodon, and in particular the Skanderbeg Castle found at its furthest edge, are facing coastal and soil erosion for several decades. Bio-engineering solutions are recommended to improve the situation caused by erosion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>\u201cThe mitigation of sea waves through incorporating sediments near the shore, which would mitigate the wave blows on the sandy steep slopes,\u201d identified as the first solution the environment expert Ermelinda Mahmutaj.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cHence, such a measure would impact the stabilization of the slopes. The sediments near the shore allow the beach to regenerate itself, especially after a sea storm,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image is-style-default\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/amfora.al\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/URA-E-ZOGUT-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13621\" srcset=\"https:\/\/amfora.al\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/URA-E-ZOGUT-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/amfora.al\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/URA-E-ZOGUT-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/amfora.al\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/URA-E-ZOGUT-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/amfora.al\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/URA-E-ZOGUT.jpg 1300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption><em>Infographic by Amfora Media<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The fortification built by Skanderbeg has now become isolated from visitors. The pedestrian trail has been damaged less than a year ago and the only way to approach the castle now is through the sea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>By listing the engineering actions which should be considered as interventions to address the present situation, the second solution recommended is tree planting and increase of vegetation on the naked slopes of the hills, through clearly defined and localized campaigns at the steep areas where vegetation has been either uprooted or burnt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>\u201cThere should be an intensification of monitoring and denouncements for those who break the law in general, and those who destroy the vegetation coverage at the Cape of Rodon in particular,\u201d suggested Ermelinda Mahmutaj.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Underwater archeologist Adrian Anastai has been carrying out continuous campaigns for marine and land terrain recognition since 2003. He explains that there is not much early information on the landscape of the area, however, the medieval historical sources provide an approximate idea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe cape has been very rich in timber, from this viewpoint, it has been protected from erosion. This phenomenon has not been obvious, meaning it has not been as aggressive as it is today,\u201d Anastasi stated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cAs a result of the seawater erosion, parts of the walls have sunk under the Adriatic Sea waters,\u201d it is said in the records of this cultural monument.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Coastal erosion, soil erosion, landslides of the hills, and sea level rise are forecasted to ruin within the next few decades the fortification erected by Skanderbeg in two future scenarios.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image is-style-default\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"686\" src=\"https:\/\/amfora.al\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Screenshot-2023-02-05-at-00.46.59-1024x686.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13575\" srcset=\"https:\/\/amfora.al\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Screenshot-2023-02-05-at-00.46.59-1024x686.png 1024w, https:\/\/amfora.al\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Screenshot-2023-02-05-at-00.46.59-300x201.png 300w, https:\/\/amfora.al\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Screenshot-2023-02-05-at-00.46.59-768x515.png 768w, https:\/\/amfora.al\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Screenshot-2023-02-05-at-00.46.59.png 1300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption><em>Skanderbeg Castle is polluted by the plastic waste of the Ishmi River. Photo: Arlind Veshti\/ Amfora Media<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>\u201cThis would bring the isolation of the castle and the worst-case scenario is its separation as an \u2018island\u2019 in the middle of the water, which would make it even more vulnerable to the different climate change effects. The castle would sink and \u2018crumble\u2019 in the water, drastically changing its surrounding landscape,\u201d explained Mahmutaj.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>The residents of the Shetaj village see the castle and the church as a symbol of the Ish\u00ebm&nbsp;area, while for the young people of this area, it is an opportunity to build their future through tourism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Orgito Reka receives every visitor which goes to the Cape of Rodon. He politely raises and lowers the entrance barrier at the road which takes you to the peninsula, the territory which is administered by the Catholic Church through a private business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cMy peers, locals, and restaurants have similar jobs. This is how they work too,\u201d the youngster said for Amfora Media.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cPeople are coming here even during the winter. There are visitors every day of the year, however, there are more tourists on Saturdays and Sundays. A couple of foreigners with a caravan arrived today,\u201d Reka said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cEverybody asks about the castle when they come and go. Some ask me why I didn\u2019t tell them that there is no road taking them to the castle because they wanted to see it,\u201d the 18-year-old boy added laughing and raising his shoulders as to remove blame because he was exhausted and forgot to remind the visitors of this important detail. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"R\u00ebnia e K\u00ebshtjell\u00ebs s\u00eb Sk\u00ebnderbeut n\u00eb\u00a0Rodon - Episodi\u00a0#25\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/cG_2pG8grQ8?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><figcaption><em>Video of the series \u201cCulture in 1 Minute\u201d for Skanderbeg Castle<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Not far from the fortification, there is the medieval \u201cChruch of Sh\u00ebn Ndout\u201d, a cult monument that is protected even today, while historical sources show that the area once upon a time had several churches, monasteries, and assemblies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI came from&nbsp;Kor\u00e7a because I have heard many things about this holy church, hence I decided to visit it and pray for goodness,\u201d said a man who was visiting this castle together with his family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-background wp-block-list\" style=\"background-color:#ff8a00\"><li><strong>The construction of natural barriers against the climate change<\/strong><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The Cape of Rodon enjoys the \u201cNatural Monument\u201d conservation status, due to its special natural, cultural, historic, and archeological characteristics and peculiarities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>A model which can be applied to reduce erosion has been implemented in New York in the United States of America and&nbsp;Oosterschelde in the Netherlands. It is related to the construction of artificial underwater walls\/reefs with shells, which manage to mitigate waves and protect from erosion.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cOver time, these reefs can grow through the blocking of sediments and in this way, they can compensate for the sea level rise,\u201d suggested as a second solution Mahmutaj.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image is-style-default\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/amfora.al\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Screenshot-2023-02-05-at-00.46.23-1024x576.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13571\" srcset=\"https:\/\/amfora.al\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Screenshot-2023-02-05-at-00.46.23-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/amfora.al\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Screenshot-2023-02-05-at-00.46.23-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/amfora.al\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Screenshot-2023-02-05-at-00.46.23-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/amfora.al\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Screenshot-2023-02-05-at-00.46.23.png 1300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption><em>Effects of erosion at Cape of Rodon. Photo: Arlind Veshti\/ Amfora Media<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>For the fortification, known as Castle of Currila (Kalaja e Currilave, n\u00eb Muzhlin e Sk\u00ebnderbeut), a project for conservative interventions was approved on December 21<sup>st<\/sup>, 2020, according to decision no. 508, of the National Council on Tangible Cultural Heritage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>According to the Ministry of Culture, the earthquake of November 2019 caused damage to the castle. This institution admitted that in the last 5 years, there have been no conservation works on this cultural monument while the conservation project remains on paper for two years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Among the solutions suggested, there is the creation of a protective barrier that would prevent\/slow soil erosion caused by the advancement of seawater which will be done with three lines of concrete gabions (metallic cages filled with rocks).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>According to the environment expert, Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) and Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) are the most suitable solutions, as officially defined in the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) of 2009. They are part of the global strategy to aid people to adapt to the negative effects of climate change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>\u201cWe need to highlight that in the cases where the accumulation of natural barriers is slowlier than the sea level rise, in general, ecosystem-based adaptation is easier to be modified than engineering solutions of concrete structures for the  coastal protection,\u201d suggested Ermelinda Mahmutaj.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-white-color has-text-color has-background\" style=\"background-color:#737579\"><strong>To read the full &#8220;Environmental overview&#8221; prepared by the EDEN Center for Amfora Media, read it below:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><code><div class=\"_df_book df-lite\" id=\"df_13614\"  _slug=\"environmental-report-the-case-of-the-castle-of-rodon\" data-title=\"environmental-report-the-case-of-the-castle-of-rodon\" wpoptions=\"true\" thumbtype=\"\" ><\/div><script class=\"df-shortcode-script\" nowprocket type=\"application\/javascript\">window.option_df_13614 = {\"outline\":[],\"autoEnableOutline\":\"false\",\"autoEnableThumbnail\":\"false\",\"overwritePDFOutline\":\"false\",\"direction\":\"1\",\"pageSize\":\"0\",\"pageMode\":\"2\",\"source\":\"https:\\\/\\\/amfora.al\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2023\\\/02\\\/Raporti-i-Kepit-te-Rodonit-EN.pdf\",\"wpOptions\":\"true\"}; if(window.DFLIP && window.DFLIP.parseBooks){window.DFLIP.parseBooks();}<\/script><\/code><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The fortification of Skanderbeg Castle has rectangular planimetry, equipped with four protection pillars and a turret. Even today, the main pillar which is 10 meters high, and several protection walls with 3.5 meters of thickness are preserved. It was built in 1451 together with a scaffold that would ensure the connection with the sea. Later on, the fortification was used by the Venetians.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-background wp-block-list\" style=\"background-color:#ff8a00\"><li><strong>Investment at the catchments for plastic wastes and periodic cleanup<\/strong><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The Ish\u00ebm River is formed by the unification of the Tirana River with T\u00ebrkuza and Zeza streams. It drains at the Adriatic Sea tons of plastic wastes gathered throughout its flow which crosses Tirana, Vora, Kamza, Fush\u00eb-Kruja, and other areas of Kurbin, ending at the tight coast of the Cape of Rodon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>\u201cThe Municipalities along the Ish\u00ebm River should seriously invest for the waste collection and the small catchments to prevent waste from being discharged at the river, especially in the rural areas where the waste management service is not always present,\u201d listed as a first solution for the urban wastes, environment expert Ermelinda Mahmutaj.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Several institutions need to coordinate their work to resolve the waste management issue at the Cape of Rodon, as well as its maintenance, administration, and functioning as a natural monument and a monument of cultural heritage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image is-style-default\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"686\" src=\"https:\/\/amfora.al\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Screenshot-2023-02-05-at-00.47.17-1024x686.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13578\" srcset=\"https:\/\/amfora.al\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Screenshot-2023-02-05-at-00.47.17-1024x686.png 1024w, https:\/\/amfora.al\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Screenshot-2023-02-05-at-00.47.17-300x201.png 300w, https:\/\/amfora.al\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Screenshot-2023-02-05-at-00.47.17-768x515.png 768w, https:\/\/amfora.al\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Screenshot-2023-02-05-at-00.47.17.png 1300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption><em>Plastic debris from the Ishmi River has covered part of the Cape of Rodon. Photo: Arlind Veshti\/ Amfora Media<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>\u201cFor the sustainable and effective resolution of the issue of the waste discharge at the Rodon from the&nbsp;Ish\u00ebm River, an interinstitutional group needs to be established to capitalize on the division of duties and responsibilities for the resolution of the problem,\u201d suggested as part of the solution the environment expert.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cDurr\u00ebs Municipality occasionally cleans up the estuaries of the&nbsp;Ish\u00ebm and Erzen Rivers, organizing actions as a municipality, but such a thing does not take place every day,\u201d officially responded the&nbsp;Durr\u00ebs Municipality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As a solution specifically addressing plastic waste it has been suggested that the waste treatment and catchment plant at the Gotulla Reserve is put to work, as well as the resolution of the administrative procedure issue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>\u201cThe Ministry of Tourism and Environment should cooperate with the &#8216;The Ocean Cleanup&#8217; initiative for the restoration and improvement of infrastructure of the Gotulla plant. Representatives of this initiative have expressed interest to invest and monitor this plant in Albania,\u201d listed as part of the practical intervention Ermelinda Mahmutaj.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>The Ministry of Tourism and Environment officially responded to Amfora Media that the construction of this plant cost ALL&nbsp;202.603.181 (around EUR 1.7 million) while construction works ended in December 2017.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It was built by the \u201cIntegrated Technology Services\u201d company, which later was placed under preventive seizure following an order of the Special Court against Corruption and Organized Crime, for its involvement as a subcontracting company in concessionary projects for the construction of incinerators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image is-style-default\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"675\" src=\"https:\/\/amfora.al\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Screenshot-2023-02-05-at-00.47.53-1024x675.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13582\" srcset=\"https:\/\/amfora.al\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Screenshot-2023-02-05-at-00.47.53-1024x675.png 1024w, https:\/\/amfora.al\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Screenshot-2023-02-05-at-00.47.53-300x198.png 300w, https:\/\/amfora.al\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Screenshot-2023-02-05-at-00.47.53-768x506.png 768w, https:\/\/amfora.al\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Screenshot-2023-02-05-at-00.47.53.png 1300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption><em>Satellite image of the plant in November 2018, where can still be seen the installation of obstacles in Ishmi River<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The Ministry of Tourism informed that the act-calibration procedure of works has been carried out, without clarifying the current situation of the investment and whether it is still functional. Furthermore, the \u201cIntegrated Technology Services\u201d company did not respond to our request for comments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>\u201cToday this plant is out of function due to the lack of maintenance and disagreement between the local governments of the areas crossed by the Ish\u00ebm River regarding its administration,\u201d stated expert Mahmutaj.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Archeologist Adrian Anastasi explained that for several years through the cooperation of the Ministry of Culture and the institutions which fall under its dependence, archeological expeditions have taken place, however, work has not been easy considering the piles of plastic waste over and under the water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>According to him, if erosion is present for decades or centuries, plastic is a phenomenon of the last 30 years, which cannot be resolved with cleanup actions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe have been there before. We have visited the area for our goals, to see the marine navigation-related phenomena,\u201d said Anastasi speaking of the coast of the Cape of Rodon and the estuary of the Ish\u00ebm River.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image is-style-default\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"686\" src=\"https:\/\/amfora.al\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Screenshot-2023-02-05-at-00.46.46-1024x686.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13573\" srcset=\"https:\/\/amfora.al\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Screenshot-2023-02-05-at-00.46.46-1024x686.png 1024w, https:\/\/amfora.al\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Screenshot-2023-02-05-at-00.46.46-300x201.png 300w, https:\/\/amfora.al\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Screenshot-2023-02-05-at-00.46.46-768x515.png 768w, https:\/\/amfora.al\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Screenshot-2023-02-05-at-00.46.46.png 1300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption><em>Illustrative trace of the fortification of Skanderbeg and nearby urban debris. Photo: Arlind Veshti\/ Amfora Media<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-background wp-block-list\" style=\"background-color:#ff8a00\"><li><strong>Awareness-raising of the visitors<\/strong><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Laura Gjyli, has organized cleanup actions in Albania, in particular at the Ish\u00ebm River estuary, for many years now in the framework of the \u201cRiver Cleanup\u201d world movement which aims to remove rubbish from water. She stated that according to the \u201cThe Ocean Cleanup\u201d, this river drains to the Adriatic Sea some 730.000 kg of solid wastes, mostly plastic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThere have been 20 schools and the Aleksand\u00ebr Moisiu University of Durr\u00ebs involved in our activities. The main focus of our work has been recycling and environmental education,\u201d Gjyli said to Amfora Media.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>She explained that the strategy has been focused on the cleanup of Ish\u00ebm River through the engagement of communication and education in schools and the university as well as the involvement of private companies and institutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Furthermore, for the environment expert, Ermelinda Mahmutaj, part of the solution is the creation of an awareness-raising campaign for the visitors who litter at the archeological and natural sites.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image is-style-default\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"686\" src=\"https:\/\/amfora.al\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Screenshot-2023-02-05-at-00.47.28-1024x686.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13580\" srcset=\"https:\/\/amfora.al\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Screenshot-2023-02-05-at-00.47.28-1024x686.png 1024w, https:\/\/amfora.al\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Screenshot-2023-02-05-at-00.47.28-300x201.png 300w, https:\/\/amfora.al\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Screenshot-2023-02-05-at-00.47.28-768x515.png 768w, https:\/\/amfora.al\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Screenshot-2023-02-05-at-00.47.28.png 1300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption><em>One of the towers of the castle that was built later in the sea and is being destroyed by the effect of erosion. Photo: Arlind Veshti\/ Amfora Media<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>In their official response, Durr\u00ebs Municipality stated that urban waste collection at the Castle of Rodon, which is a cultural monument, is done by the institutions which have cultural monuments under their dependence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201c\u2026 because the company which collects the wastes cannot approach the area which is around 20km away from the last village, which is Shetaj (the AFA Group company operates up to the Shetaj village),\u201d responded the Durr\u00ebs Municipality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In the meantime, the Ministry of Culture explained that the Institute of the Cultural Inheritance Monuments does not administer information nor does it manage infrastructure for the collection of urban wastes. According to the environment expert, Ermelinda Mahmutaj, this concept should not exist anymore because the collection of wastes from natural and archeological sites should not be the institutions\u2019 duty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cInstitutions of culture and environment which work in the monuments of the cape do not have the administrative mandate of collecting wastes. In the meantime, the Durr\u00ebs Municipality cannot send its waste collection vehicles due to the rough terrain,\u201d noted the environment expert.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>\u201cHence the entire situation remains in the hands of the engaged citizen. The focus of the campaign should be awareness raising and informing the citizens who throw their rubbish on the road and nature. The collection of such trash does not fall under the competence of any institution, however, it is regulated by the Criminal Code, as \u2018Environment Crime\u2019 and is punished through fines,\u201d concluded Mahmutaj.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Cape of Rodon and the Skanderbeg Castle are two great tourist potentials that are suffering from environmental problems related to erosion and urban waste. Amfora media through \u201cSolutions Journalism\u201d has identified concrete actions for these two natural and cultural monuments, aiming at their conservation.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":64,"featured_media":13541,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"give_campaign_id":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3895,4377],"tags":[5636,5642,5648,5646,5637,5639,5640,5644,5645,5638,5643,5647,4403,5641],"class_list":["post-13612","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-analysis-en","category-solutions-journalism-en","tag-a-cultural-monument-of-the-first-category","tag-british-council-media-program","tag-cape-of-rodon","tag-cape-of-rodon-solutions","tag-eden-center","tag-environmental","tag-environmental-albania","tag-erosion-and-urban-waste","tag-erosion-and-urban-waste-at-the-cape-of-rodon","tag-mati-bridge","tag-media-for-youth-en","tag-skanderbeg-castle","tag-solution-journalism-2","tag-solution-journalism-environment"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"formatted_date":"3 February 2023","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/amfora.al\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13612","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/amfora.al\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/amfora.al\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/amfora.al\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/64"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/amfora.al\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=13612"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/amfora.al\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13612\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":16043,"href":"https:\/\/amfora.al\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13612\/revisions\/16043"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/amfora.al\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/13541"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/amfora.al\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13612"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/amfora.al\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=13612"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/amfora.al\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=13612"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}