Protecting Lake Ohrid, Albania and Macedonia

The International Waterbird Census results estimate a presence of more than 160.000 birds in wetlands of Albania, represented by more than 65 waterbird species. From these about 16 074 birds are situated in Lake Ohrid region, Albanian side. This figure shows the improved situation with biodiversity in Lake Ohrid region, since there were 6000-7000 birds more than previous year. If we can see the table below, the number of birds is shown for each area from Lin to Tushemisht border.  The yearly Waterbird Census was done on 14 and 15 January in Albania by 12 national and international experts, on behalf of Birdlife International. Supported by the EU funded project NaturAL, this was a great opportunity for the rangers to learn more about the management of natural resources within and around the protected areas they safeguard. All offices of Regional Administration for Protected Areas were involved participating as counters or observers in the Census, and providing logistical support

World Wetlands Day is celebrated every year on 2 February. This day marks the date of the adoption of the Convention on Wetlands on 2 February 1971, in the Iranian city of Ramsar on the shores of the Caspian Sea. Since 1997, the Ramsar Secretariat provides outreach materials to help raise public awareness about the importance and value of wetlands. Prespa wetland  Healthy wetlands can reduce the damage caused by disasters and make recovery faster. Yet worldwide, wetlands are in alarming retreat; at least 64% of them have disappeared since 1900. So how can we help? Communities • Find out how the wetlands in your area are being used or overused - and who depends on them. How do wetlands protect your area during extreme events? • Adopt practices that ensure long- term sustainability of the local wetlands for everyone. Measures might include controlling illegal fishing and dumping, no –take rules, set catch limits and regulate the type of activities by season. • Clear rubbish

Vevcani Carnival is celebrated every year for more than 1400 years. It is held every year on 13 and 14 January (on the eve and the first day of the New Year, according to the old calendar). Carnival is a mix of pagan and modern way of celebration. The main characteristics of the carnival are: archaism, secretiveness, and improvisation. The village of Vevčani is situated in the southwestern range at the foot of the Jablanica mountain range. It is 800 – 950 metres above sea level. The village is located 14 km North-West of the town of Struga, close to Lake Ohrid region. Carnival is one of the most important festive day in the area. According to some sources, the tradition of the Vevcani Carnival is dedicated to St. Basil the Great, a Christian saint and bishop from Asia Minor, who is considered the founder of the monastic tradition in Eastern Orthodoxy. Vevcani from morning of this festive day, turned into a kind of theater without borders. First participants backstage them dress

Albania is home to 247 natural lakes and more than 800 artificial lakes. Albania is part of three most important lakes of the Balkans Peninsula: Shkodra lake, Ohrid Lake and Prespa Lake. Let's explore some of them: Ohrid Lake Lake Ohrid straddles the mountainous border between southwestern Macedonia and eastern Albania and is the deepest lake in the entire Balkan Peninsula, with a maximum depth of nearly 300 m. The historical value and the diverse flora and fauna have helped Lake Ohrid to become one of UNESCO’s Cultural and Natural Heritage sites. There are a variety of aquatic species in the lake, the most famous of which is the Koran, known for being a particularly delicious fish. The city of Pogradec, well known for its climate, was built on the southwestern coast of Lake Ohrid. Alongside the shore there are several tourist centers such as Lini, Pojska, Pogradec, Drilon and Tushemisht, where many hotels and guesthouses offer comfortable accommodations for a wonderful and re

"Lake Ohrid is a UNESCO protected lake and town in South-West Macedonia. Squeezed into the border of Macedonia and Albania, it is a heady combination of crumbling villas, terracotta tiles and gigantic statues. This is a town where you will fall in love – with early morning mists hovering over the lake, with deserted castles and monasteries and with delightful, natural springs bubbling from emerald waters". Here is how Anne the founder of the blog TravelTheGlobe4Less, describe the Lake Ohrid Region in her article: Things to do on Lake Ohrid that will make you fall in love, published in the latest days of December 2016. She suggests 5 top things to do around this region, describing them as fabulous destinations, impossible to resist.  Discover these 5 top destinations in Lake Ohrid region: St. Naum monastery  A visit to the monastery is as much about the journey as the arrival. You feast on beautiful coastal views, and glimpses of the  Bay of Bones , the Presiden