Ina Zhupa opposes proposed fee hikes for protected areas

Ina Zhupa, chair of the parliamentary commission for culture, tourism, and diaspora, has criticized a proposal by the Ministry of Environment to significantly increase access fees for protected areas. The proposed changes could see certain tariffs rise by four to five times.

Specific increases include park entry fees rising from 50 to 200 lek, camping fees for up to three people increasing from 150 to 700 lek, and tent fees for more than four people rising from 300 to 1,000 lek. Daily rates for caravans may also increase from 500 to between 1,500 and 2,500 lek.

Zhupa argued that these hikes do not correspond to improvements in services, infrastructure, maintenance, or biodiversity protection. She further criticized the policy for treating local residents as tourists in their own territories, suggesting that local communities should have free or privileged access to these natural resources.