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Residents of Qinam village protest against solar panel project affecting village pastures

2025-11-29 11:07:00, Sociale CNA

Residents of Qinam village protest against solar panel project affecting village

In the village of Qinam in Kolonjë, a strong reaction was raised today by residents, who have come out in protest after the decision of the Municipal Council to lease about 3.5 hectares of pasture land to a private company for the construction of a park with solar panels. According to the residents, this is one of the main areas that has been used by the community for years to keep livestock, while the decision was made without any public consultation with them. This area serves as a central grazing point where, every year, thousands of heavy and small cattle are supported, which constitute the main source of income for the families of the village. Residents say that replacing this area with solar panels risks destroying livestock activity, depriving them of the opportunity to feed their livestock throughout the year.

Residents of Qinam village protest against solar panel project affecting village

"The issue of pastures, those fields there are divided, they want to take them from us, to make solar panels. We also have another place that provides pasture for the entire village and they want to take that away from us. If panels are built here, there are 3,000-4,000 head of cattle, 600 cows, where will this pasture go? As a village, we buy the entire Gramoz with pasture, we can choose the winter, but where to put it in the winter. Measures must be taken so that these pastures are not taken away from us because it disrupts our work a lot."

"I am a farmer, I have 20 cows, now this municipality that will make these panels here knows that even these 10 families that are farmers will leave. Even though I, even with 20 cows, do not get my name mentioned to benefit from a subsidy, only this government does this. Today, I have not received a subsidy just because I am right-wing, but I will not change sides, I will remain right-wing."

According to them, the decision to build the photovoltaic park affects not only large farms, but also small families who rely on livestock for survival. Residents say that if the project is implemented, many of them will be forced to sell their livestock or leave the village, as the loss of pastures will make it impossible to continue their work.

"This problem is very big for us, because we have a lot of cattle, we have nowhere to take them. I have 20 cows, I keep them here, I don't take them up because I need them for milk. Now they are asking us where we are going, to sell them all, to sell ourselves because we have nowhere to go."

" The municipality and others have discussed it, but we are like a finished village, we should take them and sell them, send the children abroad, and leave ourselves. I have 20 cows, agriculture and livestock are connected to each other. My brothers have a herd. If they take them away from us, we have nowhere to go, we can only sell them and tell Rama good luck to this village ."

Residents of Qinam village protest against solar panel project affecting village

Residents add that the problem is not limited to this plot, as there are other areas of the village that they say are being targeted for similar uses, increasing uncertainty about the future. The community is demanding an immediate suspension of the project and a full review of the decision, stressing that the pastures are vital to the economy and survival of Qinam./ CNA