In the framework of the project “Preparation of Special Environmental Studies, Drafting of Presidential Protection Decrees and Management Plans for Natura 2000 Sites” of the Ministry of Environment and Energy, MedINA developed and submitted its proposals on the Special Environmental Study 11a for the Natura 2000 sites of the Regional Units of Thesprotia, Ioannina and Grevena, which is on public consultation until 30 April 2023.
The Special Environmental Study is the scientific documentation study for the adoption of the Presidential Decree and the Management Plan of the protected areas. The project – which is being implemented for the first time in Greece – provides for the delimitation and establishment of graded protection zones of Natura 2000 sites with corresponding conditions and restrictions on land use and activities and constitutes an obligation of Greece towards the European Union.
MedINA’s comments focus on the Aoos River basin, which flows through most of the Northern Pindos National Park and 13 Natura 2000 sites. They mainly (a) highlight the need to extend the boundaries of the Northern Pindos National Park towards the border with Albania, in order to protect institutionally the area of Grammos – Konitsa – Pogoni, with the ultimate aim of uniting the Northern Pindos National Park with the Vjosa National Park and (b) set proposals concerning the main threat to the Aoos River and its tributaries from the imminent construction of dozens of small hydropower plants, which, if implemented, would undermine the efforts of more than a decade to create the first Transboundary Wild River National Park in Europe: Aoos/Vjosa.
Public consultation is an opportunity for citizens and stakeholders to formulate policies on issues that concern them!
Read our detailed comments and full proposals (in Greek), here.
