Present condition of pastures and forests in Albania

Pastures and meadows of Albania amount to 416.000 ha and cover 16% of the total area of the country. The largest part of these areas is grazed during summer and belongs to communes and villages. Livestock of Albania includes about 1.900.000 sheep, 1.100.000 goats and 730.000 cattle. All sheep and goats and a significant part of cattle graze in pastures but in forests as well. The latter covers 35% of Albania and include high forests, coppice and shrublands. The stocking rate of pastures is estimated to be 6,8 sheep equivalents/ha/year, while the grazing capacity is no more than 4,5 sheep equivalents/ha/year suggesting overgrazing. The General Directorate of Forests and Pastures where the responsibility of management and improvement pastures belongs invests 300.000 USD per year, mainly for infrastructure. The future planning for pastures includes: a) drawing up of integrated studies, b) organization of their management and administration, c) the establishment of model range units in shrublands and partially forested areas and d) the decentralization of ownership by giving part of forests and pastures to the communes.