One of the most debated points of the tourism project in Zvërnec has been the existence or not of a construction permit for the planned resort in the Pishë Poro–Nartë protected area.
Since the start of works in the area and the outbreak of protests, this issue has become one of the main arguments in the clash between the government, environmental activists, and citizens who oppose the project.
Prime Minister Edi Rama has repeatedly stated that there is no construction permit for the project in Zvërnec, but only a development permit.
The National Council for Territory and Water (NCTW), chaired by the Prime Minister, is the authority responsible for approving development and construction permits for strategic investments, complex projects and developments of national importance. The role of technical secretariat of this institution is exercised by the Territorial Development Agency (TDA).
Therefore, to understand whether or not a construction permit existed for the project in Zvërnec and what its current status is, Faktoje analyzed the Prime Minister’s public statements, the KKTU documents (those that have been published) and the official response of the Territorial Development Agency.