In Puka’s mountainous landscapes, a transformative initiative is taking shape, one that balances forest conservation, employment generation, and eco-friendly energy use. It aims to improve forest conditions and enhance community resilience to climate change by applying integrated forest management (IFM) practices. This approach not only promotes sustainable forestry and biodiversity protection but also ensures that local communities directly benefit from these efforts through economic opportunities and environmental improvements.

Recently, over 20 members of the Qerret Forest Association, mainly women,  are actively engaged in thinning and clearing oak forests, a crucial process that:

Supports natural forest regeneration, allowing younger trees to grow stronger and healthier.

Reduces wildfire risks and prevents disease spread, creating a more resilient ecosystem.

Provides employment for local workers, offering stable income and skill development opportunities.

This intervention aligns with IFM’s broader goal of afforesting and regenerating degraded forest areas, presenting a scalable model that can be replicated in other parts of the Drin River Basin.

Eco-Friendly Heating: Providing Warmth for Local Schools

A key aspect of this initiative is the efficient use of harvested wood material. Rather than being wasted, the collected wood is used to fuel the heating system of a local school, ensuring a sustainable and environmentally friendly heating source.

This approach not only improves learning conditions for students and teachers in one of Albania’s coldest regions but also reduces air pollution by replacing less sustainable heating sources. This aligns with the IFM project’s objective of creating sustainable economic opportunities while enhancing living conditions in rural communities.

A Response to Climate Change

At a time when climate change and deforestation are global concerns, initiatives like this in Qerret demonstrate how smart forest management can drive both environmental and economic progress.

Healthier, well-managed forests that contribute to biodiversity protection and act as a natural defense against climate change.

Employment and economic growth for local communities, making forestry a sustainable source of livelihood.

Eco-friendly heating solutions, reducing pollution and dependence on non-renewable energy sources.

A scalable model for other regions, proving that responsible forest management can create long-term benefits for both nature and people.

This activity is part of the “Integrated Forest Management (IFM) along the Drin River Basin” project, funded by the Austrian Development Agency (ADA) initiated by ICEP and CNVP Albania.