The quarries have exposed Albania’s mountains to such an extent that the map must be updated. The highlands of Ura Vajgurore have vanished, as have the hills of Bicaj. With over 200 approved quarries, hundreds of hectares of land are removed from the forest fund each year. Dust clouds have infiltrated entire cities, raising the risk of cancer. Even within national parks, Albanian mountains are being levelled in order to export the stones abroad. Who are the powerful people behind the quarry business? Who is squandering this enormous income without even paying taxes?
