26 Fig.9 Water System
27 The NSP approach to this system is manifested through two c<strong>on</strong>cepts: PROMOTION & ACCESS In this framework, the Strategic Projects proposed by the NSP is the extensi<strong>on</strong> of the three nati<strong>on</strong>al parks <strong>in</strong> the nati<strong>on</strong>al network of protected areas: Park of Alps Park of Buna Park of Vjosa preserved <strong>in</strong> accordance to the law requirements and provisi<strong>on</strong>s. The protected area system will also <strong>in</strong>clude natural corridors, to be c<strong>on</strong>sidered as suitable spaces for the development of a soft, envir<strong>on</strong>mental friendly <strong>in</strong>frastructure. d. Achiev<strong>in</strong>g the target of 20% of territorial protected land and 15% of maritime protected area until 2030; e. Creati<strong>on</strong> of recreati<strong>on</strong>al spaces and natural attracti<strong>on</strong>s al<strong>on</strong>g river valleys; f. Development of the nati<strong>on</strong>al bike network, which acesses and crosses natural areas and historical and cultural heritage areas; g. Increase of public participati<strong>on</strong> <strong>in</strong> the decisi<strong>on</strong>-mak<strong>in</strong>g process and enforcement of decisi<strong>on</strong>s for the good management of the natural system; h. C<strong>on</strong>solidati<strong>on</strong> and enhancement of performance for the good management of nature, Protected Areas, and biodiversity, for the stakeholders at central and local government level; i. Integrati<strong>on</strong> of management plans with the plann<strong>in</strong>g systems and local plans; j. C<strong>on</strong>current development of general local plans and the management plans, <strong>in</strong> order to achieve the cohesi<strong>on</strong> of plann<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>struments regard<strong>in</strong>g the forecasts and timeframes; k. Surface <strong>in</strong>crease of protected maritime and coastal areas <strong>in</strong> accordance to the Aichi C<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong> of Biodiversity for 2020 objectives; l. Promoti<strong>on</strong> of natural assets use for recreati<strong>on</strong>al purposes and eco-tourism promoti<strong>on</strong>; m. Susta<strong>in</strong>able, ecologic, and ec<strong>on</strong>omic management of protected areas; n. Integrati<strong>on</strong> of <strong>Albania</strong> <strong>in</strong> the Balkans and European c<strong>on</strong>text through the projects <strong>on</strong> “D<strong>in</strong>aric Arc Ecoregi<strong>on</strong>” and “Europian Green Belt”; o. Inclusi<strong>on</strong> of the natural system <strong>in</strong> the ec<strong>on</strong>omic development cha<strong>in</strong>; p. Re-forestati<strong>on</strong> and regenerati<strong>on</strong> projects <strong>in</strong> degraded areas due to natural phenomena such as erosi<strong>on</strong> and floods, but also due to human activity. 1.10 Water System The <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nati<strong>on</strong>al</str<strong>on</strong>g> spatial plan is developed based <strong>on</strong> the nati<strong>on</strong>al demands for susta<strong>in</strong>able development <strong>in</strong> l<strong>in</strong>e with the present nati<strong>on</strong>al priorities, the Governmental Program for susta<strong>in</strong>able socio-ec<strong>on</strong>omic development, as well as the European directives for development priorities. The <strong>Albania</strong>n territory is covered by 65 % of the total surface of water bas<strong>in</strong>s <strong>in</strong> the Balkans, roughly 43.900 km2. <strong>Albania</strong> is a mounta<strong>in</strong>ous country with a coastal l<strong>in</strong>e of approximately 450 km and is dist<strong>in</strong>guished by a dense and rich hydrographic network composed of rivers, sources, lakes, and waters of the coastal space <strong>in</strong> the Adriatic and I<strong>on</strong>ian seas. With<strong>in</strong> this space, there are the estuaries and deltas of 8 ma<strong>in</strong> rivers of <strong>Albania</strong> formed by more than 152 rivers and streams. About 65% of their catchment bas<strong>in</strong>s is extended with<strong>in</strong> the <strong>Albania</strong>n territory, lago<strong>on</strong> system with a total surface of approximately 1500 km2, large sandy and rocky beaches, series of wetlands, littoral belts, system of sandy dunes, forests, etc. All these factors, al<strong>on</strong>g with the typical Mediterranean climate, make the <strong>Albania</strong>n coastal area <strong>on</strong>e of high ecological values. The relati<strong>on</strong> of water to the other sectors of ec<strong>on</strong>omy is primary for <strong>Albania</strong>. It would suffice to menti<strong>on</strong> that: ʧ 99% of the energy we use comes from the exploitati<strong>on</strong> of water sources, ʧ 14 billi<strong>on</strong> m3 of water is used for the energy sector, ʧ 1.5 billi<strong>on</strong> m3 of water is used for the agricultural sector. The NSP addresses issues of the water system <strong>in</strong> terms of the potable water supply, water for agricultural use, for land dra<strong>in</strong>age and irrigati<strong>on</strong>, water as a source of