“Where do we stand with the protection and management of the Sarantaporos River?” This question will be addressed at an open event organized by MedINA under the auspices of the Municipality of Konitsa on Friday, April 11 2025, at 18:00, at the Konitsa Town Hall event hall.
Three of MedINA’s projects, dedicated to the protection of the Aoos River and its tributaries, are joining forces to inform and raise awareness among the local community of Konitsa about ongoing environmental initiatives concerning the region’s rivers. Through presentations, scientific findings from the Sarantaporos area, updates on legislative developments, and an open discussion, attendees will gain insight into ongoing efforts and the importance of sustainable river management.
Specifically, the event will feature key findings from the “Sarantaporos Science Week”, the first large-scale scientific expedition of its kind in Greece, conducted in the summer of 2024. This initiative highlighted the river’s ecological significance through the collection of primary biodiversity data, while also shedding light on the threats facing the Sarantaporos and other rivers in the broader region—primarily due to the planned construction of Small Hydropower Plants (SHPs).
Furthermore, the pioneering research and results of the MapStream project will be presented. From Zouzouli and Eptachori to Pefkofyto, Lykorachi, Aetomilitsa, Aghia Paraskevi, Nikanoras, and Plikati, MedINA’s scientific team mapped 420 km of river flow across an 870 km² area, identifying obstacles that impact river ecosystems.
The event will also include updates on legislative developments and citizen engagement. The recent designation of the Sarantaporos river and part of the Aoos river as a Protected Landscape and Protected Natural Formation paves the way for dialogue, raising crucial questions about the future of conservation efforts and the role of citizens in this collective endeavor.
This event is open to all who wish to actively contribute to the protection of the Aoos river and its tributaries and is 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.