Clashes in the Municipal Council, residents against panels in the pastures of Çërrava

2025-08-29 10:53:00, Aktualitet CNA

Clashes in the Municipal Council, residents against panels in the pastures of

Amid fierce debates, the Municipal Council meeting in Pogradec was held, where the center of discussion was the proposal to turn the pastures of the village of Çërrava into areas for the construction of photovoltaic panels.

The meeting was accompanied by high-pitched voices among the councilors, while representatives of the area's residents were also present in the hall.

According to the leaders of the Pogradec Municipality, leasing these lands for renewable energy would bring significant revenue to the local budget, arguing that the pastures no longer have the quality they once did.

But on the other hand, independent councilors and representatives of farmers in this village strongly opposed this decision, emphasizing that the land is vital for livestock farming and that changing its status conflicts with a number of laws in force.

"Not only is it an immoral decision-making, but it is also illegitimate. I, as a member of the Municipal Council, have been against this decision-making from the beginning and will be against it until the end, which affects the interests of the residents of Çërrava. Today it was postponed by the municipality of Pogradec as a draft decision, to consult more and to come to the right conclusions. The fact that it has been withdrawn today means that it will be discussed once again with the residents and I have great hope that they will make the right decision."

The residents have stated that they will not allow their pastures to be converted into areas for photovoltaic panels. Their legal representative stressed that, if the Pogradec Municipal Council approves the change in the land status, all legal procedures will be undertaken to challenge this decision.

"First, the procedure followed by the municipality is in violation of the relevant instruction, on how it should be for granting pasture lands that the residents of this village need. Secondly, there is a principle. The legitimacy of the Municipal Council itself comes precisely from the moment when it listens and takes into account the will of others who are affected by their decision. We will request that it not be approved by the prefect, we will go to court regarding the entire procedure that will be followed by the Municipal Council and the Municipality of Pogradec. It cannot be in the interest of a third individual to encourage the municipality to change the land from pasture to photovoltaic panels", said lawyer Gent Serjani.

"There were five of us present at the meeting as representatives of farmers and residents of Çërava. They listened to our requests along with the signatures they had taken from the village. They are pastures and will remain pastures because we live with them today. There are 2,500 small cattle grazing in those pastures, plus we also have drinking water in those pastures," said resident Genci Beshello.

In the Municipal Council hall, tensions escalated to the point of violent clashes and heated debates between councilors and residents present. Discussions on the issue of the Çërrava pastures did not lead to a final decision, as the vote was postponed to a future meeting.

Meanwhile, outside the institution, some residents protested, accompanying the developments inside the hall with opposing calls./ CNA