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SEE ENVIRONMENT WATCH Information for journalists interested in the Environment of South Eastern Europe March 31, 2003 * Volume 2, Number 4 |
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* * * Police raid illegal salmon farms near Lake Ohrid Pogradec, (Albania) March 2003 - Pogradec police, acting at the behest of concerned government ministries, have destroyed 20 illegal salmon farms in an attempt to curb damage caused to Lake Ohrid through the introduction of a non-indigenous species. Illegal fishing in Lake Ohrid, particularly of rare species, has been on the increase during the past few years. Seeking to take advantage of this, some locals have turned to the business of introducing exotic salmon and their spawn into this freshwater body shared with FYR Macedonia. Experts from the Durres Fishing Institute argue, however, that the uncontrolled introduction of salmon into the lake could be environmentally catastrophic. The salmon feed predominantly in shallow waters and are exhausting the food supply of the native Alcoran trout, which dwell in deeper waters. Responding to this concern, Albania's ministries of Agriculture, Economy and Environment issued a two-week ultimatum to the pirate traders to remove the salmon and their spawn from the Lake Ohrid area. As no response was forthcoming, police and ministry experts finally took decisive action. The offenders have warned that it will take little or no time to be back in business. -- Story by Rajmonda Sallaku Nelku, raymillenium@yahoo.com - Massmedia and Environment, Albania. * * * EU invests in Bulgarian eco-tourism Sofia, March 2003 - The European Union is expected to invest EUR 10 million in Bulgaria's eco-tourism industry. The Special Action Programme for Pre-Accession Aid for Agriculture and Rural Development (SAPARD) has introduced six new measures related to underdeveloped rural areas and eco-tourism that will be implemented in 2003, according to Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Forestry of Bulgaria Miglena Plugchieva. During an eco-tourism forum in Sofia in March, it was announced that the Instrument for Structural Policies for Pre-Accession (ISPA) is prepared to fund reconstruction and enlargement of 200 kilometres of roads to tourism sites. The Ministry of Environment and Waters has also pledged to assist the development of eco-tourism. Deputy Minister Fatme Iliaz recently announced the establishment of a new "Parks" fund-part of the Bulgarian government's National Trust Eco-Fund. The "Parks" fund will provide resources for activity development in protected areas, and the government will contribute BGL 12.5 million (USD 6 million) to this effect. The Global Environment Facility will contribute another USD 2 million. As part of USAID's "Biodiversity, Conservation and Economic Growth Project," 12 regions in Bulgaria have been identified as potential protected areas for eco-tourism. The National Eco-Tourism Strategy Project aims to carefully develop these regions according to landscape features, biodiversity, common traditions and historical significance. -- Story by Maria Krusteva, Zemia Daily - Bulgaria. * * * Kosovo drafts new law on spatial planning Pristina, March 2003 - Local and international experts and Kosovo's Ministry for Environmental Protection and Spatial Planning teamed with Urban Planning Programme authorities to present draft legislation on spatial planning. The Kosovo Parliament gave its consent to the draft last month. Geri Ludeking, UN-Habitat's main technical advisor, says 'spatial planning' means using land, resources and living areas in a sustainable manner-which, in turn, raises environmental standards and living conditions, and leads to a more competitive and vibrant economy. Ethem Ceku, Minister of Environmental Protection and Spatial Planning, says the draft law has been successful in stirring the first organised public debates in Kosovo about these issues. "This statute," says Ceku, "is an important link between spatial planning and any kind of future investment or development strategies." Ceku adds that, in the next five years, everything will be made to assure appropriate conditions for the law's implementation. In this context, Ludeking also refers to the need for new ways of governing, planning and training staff. Bajram Pollozani, UN-Habitat's legal advisor, says, "Generally, Kosovo's newly developed juridical system is unique in the whole world." He adds that ratification of the draft law is consistent with needs that were identified from the very beginning. -- Story by Aferdita Uka, Zeri - Kosovo. * * * Genetically modified products under scrutiny in Albania Tirana, March 2003 - Albanian consumer groups have been using the media in recent weeks to warn of possible dangers from the introduction of genetically modified (GM) products into the country. Monika Spahivogli, who serves on the board of directors of the Organic Agricultural Association says, "There is an agreement on the table between the Albanian Agricultural Ministry and USAID that would allow GM soybeans and corn into the country, as a form of food relief. But the agreement hasn't been signed." According to Spahivogli, specialists inside the Ministry have confirmed the existence of the agreement, but the claim is being denied by top Ministry officials. On the other hand, Albania has no law that expressly prohibits GM food products from entering the country. A conference was organised this month in Tirana-not only to respond to these fresh concerns, but also because GM foods have appeared sporadically on the Albanian market over the past decade. "Albania without Genetically Modified Organisms" was attended by members of the Albanian Consumer Association, the Organic Agricultural Association, and various environmental groups. The assembled groups have called for the Albanian government to abide by principles adopted at the Aarhus Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters. They have also argued that the possible introduction of GM products falls under the public's constitutional right of access to information. This is the first time in Albania that GM products have been brought to public attention. This is important, as scientists are expressing concern about possible harmful effects of GM products on the human body. Also, any contamination taking place in the hybridisation process between GM strains and local vegetation could pose a serious threat to Albania's environmental biodiversity. -- Story by Rajmonda Sallaku Nelku, raymillenium@yahoo.com - Massmedia and Environment, Albania. * * * Macedonia to prepare report on climate change Skopje, March 2003 - The Macedonian Ministry of Environment and Urban Planing is now in the act of preparing its first "National Report on Climate Change." Environment Minister Ljubomir Janev says that the announcement coincides with numerous events scheduled to take place in Macedonia as part of "Environment Days," which began on March 21. "We now understand how the natural greenhouse effect maintains the Earth's heat and provides living conditions for organisms," says Janev. "Unfortunately, human activity over the past decades has become a serious threat. "Industrialisation and the emission of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide have dramatically worsened the situation," adds Janev. "Scientists predict that, at present rates of pollution, average mean temperatures could increase anywhere from between 1.5 and 5.8 degrees Celsius by the end of the twenty-first century." Macedonia ratified the UN Convention on Climate Change in 1997 and became a full-fledged member the following year. Preparation of a "National Report" is one of its first responsibilities. The Ministry has been provided with USD 345,000 through the Global Environment Fund (GEF), with support from the United Nations Developmental Program (UNAID). The Report will offer comprehensive analysis of all relevant issues, expand institutional capacities and raise public awareness about the effects of climate change. UNDP Resident Representative Frode Mauring says that the National Report is the first step toward realising the obligations arising from this Convention, and shows that the government now recognises the local and global significance of climate change. "Macedonia has a wealth of natural resources, but the country stands to lose much unless human activities are restricted," says Mauring, adding that the National Report is an important step in developing an appropriate policy on climate change and a sustainable environment. Maja Azievska, coordinator of the Report development project, says that work began back in 2000. "We've just now obtained all the data for emissions of carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide for the period from 1990-98," says Azievska, "which has enabled us to identify polluters by sector. We have also suggested ways to reduce emissions of hazardous gases, especially in the energy sector. "Macedonia's response to this problem has been late because it's taken so long to collect the necessary data," says Azievska. -- Story by the Environmental Press Center, ecopress@ecopresscenter.org - Macedonia. * * * Training for young journalists The International Institute for Journalism (IIJ) will host its first Summer Academy for young journalists in Hamburg, Germany from July 28 to August 22, 2003, with the aim of encouraging media freedom, promoting journalistic ethics and developing professional skills. Twenty-five applicants will be selected from around the world. The Summer Academy will combine lectures, group work and practical exercises. There will be excursions to Berlin and other places of interest throughout Germany. Topics and activities will include:
The lecturers have extensive experience in journalism and/or come from an academic and practicing background. In addition, prominent practitioners from the German media will share their experiences with participants. Various cultural events are also part of the Summer Academy. The Summer Academy will be conducted in English. Participation is free of charge. The IIJ will cover accommodation costs and provide a sufficient food allowance. Under certain circumstances, travel costs to and from Germany can also be covered. Applicants should state in their letter of application whether or not they are prepared to cover their own airfare costs. The International Institute for Journalism was founded in 1962 and has a long-standing reputation of training journalists from an international background. The Institute is part of InWEnt - an international training institution financed and owned mainly by the German Federal Government. More information can be found on the internet at www.inwent.org. Applicants should be at the beginning of their careers - either in the first or second year on the job, or in the last year of journalism school. Applicants must send a letter describing their motivation for wishing to participate. A detailed CV is also required, which should be accompanied by photocopies of university examination certificates. Furthermore, a letter from the applicant's editor-in-chief is needed as proof of the candidate's professional talent and proficiency in the English language, and which should state the employer's readiness to grant the applicant leave in case of acceptance. If applicants are still attending journalism school, the letter should be written by one of their teachers. Applications sent via posted mail must reach the IIJ before May 1, 2003. They can also be sent by fax (+49 40 43996260) or e-mail: iij@inwent.org. Mail applications to: "Summer Academy" * * * SEE Environment Watch is an e-mail newsletter designed to keep journalists informed about interesting environmental stories developing in South Eastern Europe (SEE). This mailing is going out to everyone on the Green Horizon mailing list. SEE Environment Watch is published by the Regional Environmental Press Center, which has the goal of encouraging more press coverage of environmental issues in the SEE region by making sure journalists are well informed about these issues. This newsletter is designed to assist in that goal by disseminating information. The Press Center, which has an office in Skopje, Macedonia and correspondents in all the countries and territories of the SEE region, also publishes a website at <www.ecopresscenter.org> and answers individual journalist's queries sent to <ecopress@ecopresscenter.org>. The Regional Environmental Press Center is funded by the Government of the Netherlands. The project is being administered in cooperation with the Regional Environmental Center for Central and Eastern Europe. ********** Copyright 2003 by the Regional Environmental Press Center ********** | Home | About Us | News | Resources | Services |
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