Soda Forest
| Soda Forest | |
|---|---|
| Pylli i Sodës Pylli i Kumeve | |
| Location | Zvërnec, Vlorë, Albania |
| Area | 500–550 ha |
| Established | 1947–1948 (afforestation project) |
| Operated by | Formerly state forestry authorities; currently overseen by the local church |
| Status | Active, partly degraded |
Soda Forest (Albanian: Pylli i Sodës), also known as Kume Forest (Albanian: Pylli i Kumeve), is a coastal forest park near the village of Zvërnec in the Vlorë region of southwestern Albania. It covers an area of approximately 500 to 550 hectares, extending about 5 kilometres in length and between 1 and 1.5 kilometres in width. The forest stretches from the old beach area to the last neighborhood of Zvërnec.
History
The area where the forest is located today was once a marshy terrain with sand dunes and waterlogged zones, which created unhealthy conditions for local residents. In 1947–1948, an afforestation initiative was launched under the direction of local authorities and forestry specialists of the time. The planting campaign was carried out in December, which had been declared the "Month of Forests," and involved the participation of local inhabitants and schoolchildren.
In 1968, the Albanian government issued a decision to afforest the entire coastal belt of the country. As part of this project, a specific plan was drawn up for the Soda area, extending as far as the mouth of the Vjosë River, with the aim of creating a forest that would serve both sanitary and aesthetic functions.
In subsequent years, the forest was maintained through activities such as weeding, fertilization with nitrate, and pruning of dry branches to prevent fires. During this period, cutting trees and collecting firewood were prohibited, and violators faced heavy fines. The forest was administered under strict state protocols of the time. [1]
After 1990
After 1990–1991, following the dissolution of state forestry institutions and centralized oversight, the forest began to degrade. According to forestry engineer Mustafa Dedenika, one of the key technical directors of the Soda afforestation project, more than 30,000 m³ of materials were dumped in the area, altering its topography and ecological balance. He assessed that the two-decade-long transition period had a negative impact on the preservation of this natural resource. [2] [3]
Today, the forest is maintained and supervised by the church located near Zvërnec.
See also
References
- ^ "Historia e rrallë e Pyllit të Sodës, treguar prej njeriut që njeh çdo pemë në pyll". Dritare.net (in Albanian). 7 February 2019. Retrieved 17 August 2025.
- ^ "Mushkëria e Vlorës "lëngon", pylli i Sodës drejt shkatërrimit! Ambientalisti: Pylli drejt plakjes, nuk duhet ta humbasim!". Shqiptarja.com (in Albanian). 11 November 2023. Retrieved 17 August 2025.
- ^ "Erozioni gllabëron plazhet! Fenomeni shqetësues në pyllin e Sodës në Vlorë. Ambientalistët: Mbillni pemë!". Top Channel (in Albanian). 8 October 2024. Retrieved 17 August 2025.