Prespa Basin

People

The most prominent characteristic of the area is the harmonious co-existence between Man and Nature, as the balanced use of traditional activities over the centuries has shaped and preserved a wealth of natural and cultural values that account for the area’s international importance. For example, the long-standing buffalo and cattle grazing on the reeds as well as the cleaning of the littoral areas by fishermen from high vegetation in the past, so they could fish on which constitute areas of high biodiversity as they provide ideal spawning grounds for fish and amphibians, host many invertebrate species, and in effect provide plethora of food for many waterbirds.

However, local occupation has experienced significant changes, during the last decades, resulting in the abandonment of the traditional activities that contribute to the maintenance of biodiversity and natural resources. Today total population of the area in the three countries is 24,000 inhabitants, most of which are occupied in the primary sector. The majority of the population is mainly occupied in agriculture, such as monoculture of beans in Greece, intensive fruit growing in the FYR of Macedonia and to a lesser extent grain and vegetable cultivation. The stockbreeding sector follows as secondary occupation, along with fishing and forestry activities. A number of secondary sector activities are present in the FYR of Macedonia and very few in the Greek Prespa, while no such activities are developed in the Albanian part. The tertiary sector relates mainly to tourism, which is mostly seasonal. The development of alternative tourism in the area will be of great importance for the economic growth as well as for the protection of the unique natural and cultural values of the region.