The largest lake in the Balkans is committing to its ecological restoration.

After decades of uncontrolled interventions, pollution, and haphazard management, Lake Shkodër — the largest in the Balkans, located in northern Albania, on the border with Montenegro — is beginning to return to balance. Public audits, joint scientific studies, and cross-border cooperation are paving the way for more sustainable management. This is further strengthened in 2025 by the arrival of a machine dedicated to cleaning aquatic vegetation.

IA Index: Mediterranean Knowledge Library
The largest lake in the Balkans is embarking on its ecological recovery
22-med – December 2025
• Lake Shkodër is beginning to return to balance after decades of pollution and inadequate management.
• Science, cross-border cooperation, and local actions are paving the way for sustainable restoration.
#albania #environment #water #biodiversity #balkans #tourism #heritage

Lake Shkodër, the largest lake basin in the Balkan Peninsula, has undergone several decades of environmental pressures, unregulated interventions, and institutional neglect. This has jeopardized the ecosystems, communities, and the natural and cultural heritage of the entire region.

An institutional alert that went unanswered for a long time

In 2018, the High State Audit Institution of Albania (KLSH) issued a harsh assessment of the state of Lake Shkodër and surrounding areas. Its audit revealed that most local natural resources — the lake, the Buna River, and their banks — were largely absent from public priorities. Unauthorized interventions, including tourist constructions like guesthouses, were carried out without any environmental assessment, undermining habitats and cultural heritage.

Tourist activities, often conducted without licenses or environmental permits, also reflected the weak cooperation between local authorities and tax institutions, limiting the beneficial impact of tourism for residents.