On April 11, 2025, MedINA organized an open informational event focused on the protection and sustainable management of the Sarantaporos river, under the auspices of the Municipality of Konitsa. The event was attended by active citizens, as well as representatives from the Municipality of Konitsa, including the Mayor of Konitsa, Mr. Andreas Papaspyrou, who delivered a brief greeting and emphasized the need for the protection of the entire Aoos river basin.
Sarantaporos, one of the two main tributaries of the Aoos river, had until recently been outside any protection status and relatively under-researched. However, thanks to the coordinated efforts of organizations such as MedINA, Pindos Perivallontiki, The Green Tank, and the “Save the Blue Heart of Europe” coallition, a primary goal was achieved: the river was designated as a Protected Landscape and a Protected Natural Formation.
During the event, impressive results from the first Science Week held in Greece were presented, showing that Sarantaporos may be the most pristine, “virgin” river in Greece. Furthermore, through extensive and intensive research conducted by 60 scientists from 11 countries, the following species were recorded:
- 302 plant species
- 9 fish species
- 36 mammal species
- 61 bird species
- More than 430 invertebrate species
Next, the findings of the project MapStream were presented, summarizing the following:
- 241 barriers along the Sarantaporos river and its tributaries, with 168 located within its main hydrological network.
- 6 main types of barriers, with water dams being the most common (32%).
It is worth noting that, through the data analysis, it was found that the mapped barriers have fragmented the river into 272 sections, of which only 123 are considered cohesive and free-flowing, further highlighting the issue of barriers as one of the main pressures on the ecosystems and species of the area.
The event concluded with an update on the legislative developments and the protection statuses of the Aoos river basin, as well as the siting of hydroelectric projects and stations of all categories, including Small Hydropower Plants, which represent the greatest threat to the ecological integrity of the river.
The discussion that followed, between citizens, representatives of the Municipality, and the team of MedINA, concluded with a shared vision: the creation of the first Transboundary Park of the Aoos/Vjosa river, through the cooperation and commitment of all to highlight and protect the region’s unique river ecosystems.
The event was organized as part of the following projects:
- Ri-Connect: Aoos river as a transboundary ecological corridor, funded by the Prespa Ohrid Nature Trust (PONT).
- MapStream: An inventory of barriers in Sarantaporos sub-basin, Aoos river basin, Greece, funded by the Open Rivers Programme.
- Aoos/Vjosa, funded by the Holdfast Foundation.