By Fatmir Popja

LIBRAZHD – The Stravaj Administrative Unit is one of four currently in the municipality of Prrenjas. This area of ​​the Librazhd district experienced rapid economic development for almost half a century, and its capital, Sharra Stravaj, turned into a wonderful town with thousands of inhabitants among the mountains, most of whom came there from Elbasan, Librazhd, Prrenjas, Gramsh, Pogradec and elsewhere.

During the second half of the last century, Sharra Stravaj became one of the most important centers of the forestry economy in the entire Elbasan Region.

Not only were palaces and wooden houses built there, but also social and cultural facilities, nurseries, kindergartens, schools, health centers, a hospital, cinemas, shops, cafes, restaurants and everything else that the inhabitants of this area needed. All of this turned the town, where thousands of workers used to exploit the forest massifs of this area, into one of the most famous in all of Albania.

Sharra Stravaj went down in history for the development it underwent during that period. Thanks to the work and sacrifices of the managers, administration, engineers, timber transport drivers and workers who exploited the forests of beech, pine, fir, oak and walnut, the pace of development of the area was quite rapid.

The forestry economy of this area managed to provide extraordinary income to the communist state budget for several decades, and thanks to this, the salaries of all those employed in this sector were quite good and their families had higher welfare compared to those working in other sectors of the socialist economy.

In the second half of the last century, Sharra Stravaj was an area where sawmills played an important role in the local economy. The sawmill industry sector brought significant development to the entire area, turning it into a very pleasant town. This industrial activity also kept daily life alive and temporarily developed tourism in the area. However, after the overthrow of the communist system, the uncontrolled exploitation of forest massifs and natural resources over the past decades has caused great damage to the ecosystem of the Stravaj area.

The forests that once covered tens of thousands of hectares in this territory have been damaged, putting an end to a stable tradition of natural resource management. The damage to these resources by illegal activity has caused the decline in the level of development and well-being of the inhabitants of this prosperous area, which was depopulated at a rapid pace, in recent decades. Another factor is undoubtedly the poor road infrastructure that connects Sharra Stravajn with the national road. This area is a typical example of the negligence of all powers during the democratic period to invest in the development of this region, where the forest resource exploitation industry once brought in millions of dollars.

This area once had a well-developed agriculture, livestock and was known for the variety of medicinal plants it collected for export. But the lack of good and safe roads has caused several hundred families to leave the villages of the Stravaj Administrative Unit, such as Stravaj, Stranik, Farret, Shqiponjë, Gaferr and Sopot, to settle in large cities or emigrate. In some villages in this area, schools have been closed for several years due to the low number of students and those who are still there travel for hours to attend classes.

The weekly market in the village of Farret, which is also a mini-economic center, has also lost its attendance, reinforcing the economic degradation of the area. In addition, the winter period is particularly difficult for residents, as snow completely isolates the villages from the rest of the region. This isolation has significantly worsened living conditions, making the area inaccessible and difficult to develop.

However, Stravaj remains an area with extraordinary potential for development, especially in the field of tourism. The numerous forests, water resources and biodiversity are assets that can attract visitors from all over the world, if investments are made in infrastructure and tourism promotion. Locals remember with nostalgia the period when Stravaj was a well-known town, frequented by artists, athletes, politicians, singers and writers, including Ismail and Helena Kadare, Dhimitër Shuteriqi, Dhimitër Xhuvani, etc.

Today's elderly people who still live there remember with nostalgia the work they did for decades in the forest massifs of Stravaj. They proudly tell the story of the creation and development of the town of Sharra Stravaj. Only those who have experienced the creation and development of the town of Sharra Stravaj are proof that 800-2000 workers of the former sawmills lived there.

The residents of Stravaj, despite the difficulties they are going through, are committed to saving this area where during the years of democracy the only serious investments are private ones that have been finalized with the construction of several hydroelectric power plants along the Radicina stream from whose extraordinary profits, the villages of Stravaj have not only not benefited but on the contrary have lost. Stravaj has abundant water resources, including natural resources such as “Uji i Ftohtë”, known for its health and curative benefits. These resources are important for the livelihood of the residents and help support agriculture and the development of local activities. Another natural wonder of Stravaj is a natural mini stadium in the area where football teams used to train. This is a special place that has formed an ideal space for sports activities and can serve to promote sports tourism.

Stravaj is surrounded by mountains and valleys, offering stunning views of nature, perfect for hiking and exploring. The forest massifs of the Stravaj area rank alongside those of Vermosh, Theth, the Gashi River and the “Shebenik” National Park in importance and beauty. These areas offer opportunities for outdoor adventures and are attractive to tourists who want to enjoy the many beauties of nature. Among the mountains of the area, you can enjoy the fresh air, panoramic trails, walking, cycling and motorcycling, which makes mountain holidays quite enjoyable.

Stravaj is also known for its geological and natural assets, which include unique rocks and natural formations, which can provide opportunities for scientific research and geological tourism. These are some of the natural assets that Stravaj has, making this area a potential destination for tourism development and ecotourism.

But while nature has given everything to the residents of the villages of Stravaj, in the current conditions they have no choice but to call on the municipality of Prrenjas and the government for urgent investments, especially for improving road infrastructure, to return Stravaj to a very popular tourist destination, as the potential of this area is numerous.

Stravaj is an example of a missed opportunity, but also an opportunity for the future. With the necessary investments and commitment of the authorities, this area can be restored to a vibrant center of development and tourism, a successful example of preserving natural resources and cultural heritage. Stravaj can be restored to a beloved place for Albanians and tourists, if actions are taken to give a new chance to its life and development.

The remaining residents of Stravaj believe that a miracle can happen. The degraded town of Sharra Stravaj can be restored to a vibrant center, as it once was. They still maintain hope and faith that with proper investments and dedication this place can be revitalized and truly become a favorite tourist destination. They believe that natural resources, such as forests, water resources and biodiversity, together with history and cultural heritage, are elements that can transform Stravaj, Stranik, Farret, Shqiponjë, Gaferri and Sopot into a developed area visited by tourists from all over the world.

Despite the difficulties they have gone through, the residents who still live in Stravaj continue to dream of a better future, where investments and development will be able to restore the former splendor of their town.

(BalkanWeb)