Mali me Gropa-Bizë-Martanesh Protected Landscape, Protected landscape in central Albania.
Mali me Gropa-Bizë-Martanesh Nature Park is a 25,266.42-hectare protected landscape in central Albania, adjacent to Dajti National Park and spread across the municipalities of Xibër, Martanesh and Shëngjergj. Forests cover 68% of its area, with coniferous and deciduous stands, and the terrain includes mountain massifs, rock formations, a glacial valley and lake, and five nature monuments such as the Xixelles, Valit and Shutrese caves.
The park is a habitat or species management area (IUCN Category IV) spanning 25,266.42 hectares in Dibër and Tirana counties, within the municipalities of Xibër, Martanesh and Shëngjergj. The IUCN also lists the landscape as Category V, and Plantlife has recognised the region as an Important Plant Area of international importance.
The name joins Mali me Gropa, Bizë and Martanesh, and the park's territory falls within the municipalities of Xibër, Martanesh and Shëngjergj in Dibër and Tirana counties. Several villages lie inside the protected area, so the landscape is also a working upland where grazing and forest use continue alongside conservation.
The park spans 25,266.42 hectares across the municipalities of Xibër, Martanesh and Shëngjergj in Dibër and Tirana counties, bordering Dajti National Park. Trails are unmarked in places, so carry a map and water; the terrain is mountainous and remote. Five nature monuments lie within it, including the Xixelles, Valit and Shutrese caves and a glacial valley and lake.
Brown bears and lynx make their home here, two large predators that have disappeared from many European regions. These species make the area a valuable refuge for animals that face pressure elsewhere.
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