Greece is a country going through a transition phase, as far as protected areas are concerned. The management of these areas moves from a central public system to a more local and participatory approach. Since 1938, protected areas in Greece have been managed by the Forest Service. There have been no specialised administration units for this purpose and the management of protected areas has been one of the many responsibilities of the Forest Service. This system is described in the Greek Law 998/79, which also contains the general rules for forestry operations. There have been many difficulties in the efficiency of management, since over the last twenty years, the forest service has been operating with insufficient staff and funds. Wardening, management operations and the support from the public are the most problematic issues of this centrally coordinated system. In the year 1985, the Law 1650/86 for the protection of the environment was established. A participatory approach was introduced for the management of protected areas. This law remained ineffective until 1999, due to the complicated procedures for the establishment of the new protected areas and the formation of the local management authorities. In 1999, the Law 2742/99 described the procedure more precisely and the first participatory management unit for a marine park (Zakynthos) was formed. However, this scheme was left without funding and its decision capacity was minimal, due to the lack of an implementation mechanism and the intense local small-scale political issues that have arisen within the management units. The participatory system has been proven to be rather ineffective, because of the lack of a strategic national planning, institutional support and funding. In the meantime, the former central system remains valid, but is not really applied on the ground, due to the transition period. The future is uncertain. What is needed is a stronger political commitment from the side of the decision makers to devote the necessary funds (an equivalent amount of money for a sufficient operation of the protected areas system in Greece would be the amount needed for the construction of about 10 kms highway) and the political will to act against small local interests and short term policies. The main obstacles for a successful operation of the Greek protected areas are: • Lack of interest from the side of the public • Lack of political will • Institutional problems and administration gaps • Reactions against protection in a local level Following the EU Habitats Directive, Greece has proposed 263 areas for protection, including the already existing ones. No progress has been performed ever since, for the reasons mentioned above. Greece has currently 10 National Parks, 11 Ramsar Wetlands, 19 Aesthetic Forests, 52 Monuments of Nature, 2 Marine parks and several game reserves. Almost all terrestrial protected areas are located on high mountains.

1. Protected areas in Greece
The Pindos mountain
Aristotelis C. Papageorgiou
General Directorate of Forests
Ministry of Agriculture
Greece

2. A
mountainous
country
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3. High
biodiversity
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4. From subtropical…
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5. …to alpine
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6. 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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7. 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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8. 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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9. 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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10. 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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11. 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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12. Important fauna
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13. …and flora
Colchicum autumnale Anacamptis pyramidalis
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14. 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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18. 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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22. 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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23. Main problems of the area
• Poaching
• Uncontrolled tourism
• Waste management
• Ineffective management
• Gaps and overlaps in responsibilities
between authorities
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