National Agency of Protected Areas (Albania)

The National Agency of Protected Areas (Albanian: Agjencia Kombëtare e Zonave të Mbrojtura, abbreviated AKZM) is a government agency in Albania. Its main duties are focused on the management, protection, development, expansion and operation of the protected areas in the country, which today account for about 21.3% of the territory of Albania. AKZM was established on February 4, 2015, and took many of the functions and duties of former local Forestry Police which was abolished. The newly created local Protected Areas Administrations (AdZM) on a county level are: AdZM Tiranë, AdZM Durrës, AdZM Shkodër, AdZM Kukës, AdZM Dibër, AdZM Lezhë, AdZM Elbasan, AdZM Berat, AdZM Fier, AdZM Korçë, AdZM Vlorë, AdZM Gjirokastër.