Protected areas in Greece

The Pindos mountain

Aristotelis C. PapageorgiouGeneral Directorate of Forests

Ministry of AgricultureGreece

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A mountainous

country

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High biodiversity

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From subtropical…

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…to alpine

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Administration and management

• Responsibility of the Forest Service since 1938.

• No special administration units for protected areas.

• Implementation problems during the last 20 years, due to the shrinkage of the Forest Service

• No public participation

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A participatory approach

• Law 1650 established in 1985 and activated in 1999.

• Management of Protected Areas is assigned to a “management unit” where local representatives, NGOs and national authorities take part.

• Time consuming and complicated procedures.• Lack of funding and central guidance.• Several conflicts in the local level.• One park established, which is ineffective.

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A transition phase

• New system is still ineffective and the old system is still valid – coexistence

• Lack of political commitment and support (€ needed = 10 Kms of highway)

• Lack of interest from the public• Institutional problems and administration

gaps• Reactions in the local level

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Protected areas

• 263 “Natura 2000” sites

• 10 national parks

• 11 “Ramsar” wetlands

• 19 aesthetic forests (protected landscapes)

• 52 monuments of nature

• 2 marine parks

• several game reserves

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Pindos

• Near the Greek – Albanian borders

• Divides Greece in East and West

• Many peaks, such as Smolikas, Tymfi, Lyngos

• Large variety in ecosystems

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Biodiversity

• 34 biotope types• More than 1500

species of flora in Tymfi alone

• 32 mammals, 166 birds, 14 amphibians and 12 fish species

• Many endemics and endangered species

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Important fauna

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…and floraColchicum autumnale Anacamptis pyramidalis

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National Park “Vikos – Aoos”

• Founded in 1973 and covers an area of 12.300 ha

• Includes two goarges (Vikos and Aoos) and the main massif of Tymfi.

• Mediterranean ecosystems, oaks, black pines, heldreich pines, firs.

• Impressive rock formations, cliffs and caves

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National Park of Pindos

• Founded in 1966 and covers and area of 6838 ha

• Includes the plateau of “Valia Kalda” (1350m), several peaks over 2000m (Avgo, Pyrostia, Flega) and the river “Arkoudorema”

• Subalpine landscapes, forests of black pines, heldreich pines and beech.

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Management

• The National Parks are managed by the Forest Service.

• A new large National Park including the two existing ones and six Natura 2000 sites is planned (participatory system).

• Tensions and conflicts have arised

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Main problems of the area

• Poaching

• Uncontrolled tourism

• Waste management

• Ineffective management

• Gaps and overlaps in responsibilities between authorities