Geotourism potentials of the National Park “Mali i Tomorrit”

Abstract

Natural heritage includes objects, landscapes, ecosystems, special, rare, endemic, or endangered from extension habitats. This is the reason they are strictly preserved and protected, clearly and definitely stipulated in special laws. According to the classification of IUCN, six categories of protected areas exist in Albania, stipulated in Law No. 8906, date 06.06.2002 “On protected areas”. Based on the classification system, the National Park “Mali i Tomorrit” is declared as second category protected area, whereas the natural monuments within the park belong to the third category. The National Park “Mali iTomorrit” is situated east of the town Berat, Albania and northwest of towns of Çorovodë and Poliçan. The natural resources of the Tomorr Park include geological, geomorphological, tourist, flora and ecological values.This research examines the tourist riches of the National Park “Mali i Tomorrit”, which is composed of a large extent of high tourist level. There are hydro monuments in the park, such as the springs of Kerpica (Gramsh Municipality), Becke or Sotira Waterfall, whereas bio monuments are “Rrobull of Kulmake” and the Plane Tree of Lubeshe. Among the geo-monuments situated within the park, of special importance are the Cave of Kapinova, Pit Cave of Tomorr, Pit Cave of Uvlën (Well of Ramija), Pit Cave of Katafiq, Pit Cave of Kakruka, Pit Cave Prosek, Ice Circles of Tomorr, Moraine of Ujanik, Hole of Dragon, Cal of Kulmak, etc.The goal of this research is to investigate the attractive, marvelous peculiarities of the geo-monuments that are situated within the park, which create a pleasant and amusing environment, as if in a wonder world. An analysis of the park's diversity of riches is made, making it unique for the values it possesses.The research focuses also on the indiscriminate interventions for exploitation of the natural riches in this protected area. The bad tradition in the last twenty years has created problems related to exploitation of decorative stone, as well as forests and grazing land within the territory of the park.The research seeks to draw attention towards management and preservation of natural heritage in order to promote the potential of tourism. The resources used in this investigation include documentations, and consultations with specialists of the field and agency of the protected area in Berat, on site expeditions etc.