Mali Sharr National Park starts removing iron rods from Leshnica after halting small hydro projects

The Mali Sharr National Park in North Macedonia has begun pulling out thousands of iron rods that were left in the Leshnica spring area. The rods were placed there for the planned construction of two small hydroelectric plants, Shkumbini 84 and 85, which have now been cancelled.

Park director Evzal Elmazi confirmed that the hydro projects will not proceed and that the removal of the rods is part of enforcing the park’s protection rules. Environmental activist Arjanit Xhaferi welcomed the action but called for an investigation into the damage caused and for funding to restore the affected ecosystem.

The move follows protests by ecological groups in 2019 and a broader decision to prohibit any hydro‑electric development within the protected zones of the park.