Blog | 28 Aug, 2023
Sacred Groves, the secret wizards of conservation
India is home to over 990 PCAs - including 106 national parks, 564 wildlife sanctuaries, 99 conservation reserves, and 218 conservation reserves. Cultural conservation areas also exist worldwide - especially within Indian Hindu communities. These places are called sacred groves.
Story | 29 Jun, 2023
Vjosa, a National Park in the making
A number of national and international experts and relevant authorities visited the Vjosa River Valley in Albania on a study tour this June, making the first steps towards building an effectively conserved and managed, and equitably governed Vjosa Wild River National Park.
Press release | 15 Mar, 2023
Vjosa, one of our last wild rivers, becomes Europe's first Wild River National Park
Today, the Vjosa River in Albania, one of the last wild rivers of Europe is declared a National Park by the Albanian Government, becoming the first Wild River National Park in Europe. In future, the Vjosa will be conserved as a living, free-flowing river, to the benefit of people and nature.…
Story | 13 Feb, 2023
Commitments to save the Blue Heart of Europe
Freshwater conservation was in the focus at the CBD COP15 Biodiversity Summit in Montreal, when IUCN hosted a side event on “Conserving the Vjosa-Aoos River”, with participation of Mr. Ryan Gellert, CEO Patagonia, H.E. Dr Mirela Kumbaro, Minister of Tourism and Environment, Albania, H.E. Mr.
Story | 13 Feb, 2023
Vision, roadmap and feasibility study presented for pioneering freshwater conservation in Albania
A vision, roadmap and feasibility study for the protection of the Vjosa River and its free-flowing tributaries under the IUCN Category II management classification, have been presented
Story | 07 Feb, 2022
Siddharth Edake is a Fellow and Area Convener for the Centre for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services at The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), India, which won the 2021 Pathfinder Award for its PANORAMA Solution - 'Strengthening community conservation in a biodiversity hotspot'.
Story | 18 Nov, 2021
Pathfinder Award 2021 winners announced: IUCN and UNDP recognise innovation in nature conservation
On 15 November 2021, the online ceremony of the Pathfinder Award felicitated four winners from China, India, Madagascar, and Tanzania. This award recognises and celebrates their innovative, integrated approaches to protected and conserved area management that successfully conserve nature while…
Story | 11 Jun, 2021
Sathish Sundaram, 2021 International Ranger Award Winner
Learn more about the inspiring work of Sathish Sundaram of India, one of the winners of the IUCN WCPA International Ranger Award in 2021.
Story | 28 Apr, 2021
Protection study of the Vjosa River Valley based on IUCN protected area standards now available
There is a need to protect the Vjosa River Valley along its full length, including its tributaries - confirms the new IUCN WCPA authored study.
Grey literature | 2021
Protection study of the Vjosa River Valley based on IUCN protected area standards
This report provides insight into the rationale and feasability of declaring a protected area for the Vjosa Valley, along with the management objectives and associated protected area categories that would ensure the conservation of the area's key values.