News from Gavdos Crete and Greece

Gavdos and Gavdopoula :Do not relax the protection

The area of Gavdos-GAVDOPOULA has become well known in recent years, mainly for its natural beauty and ecological value of both islands and the wider marine area. Known is also the battle that was a few years ago to prevent massive destructive industrial project on the island Gavdopoula, battle that took pan dimensions, given the fact that the entire area is in the Greek list of areas to join the Community Network "Natura 2000" with code GR4340013. Further, it is classified as Special Protection Area (SPA) which gives the region increased legal protection. In fact, formulated by researchers and the proposal to create a marine park there (because of the existence of dolphins, whales, whales, etc.), while for Gavdos, developed and LAIF program.

The island was declared Gavdopoula forest area in 2001 by decision of Forestry Dnsis Chania, with a fully documented rationale. We learned that the alleged owners of the island have recourse to Avathmia Forest Disputes Settlement Commission and request the declassification of the area.

We know very well how to declassify will pave the way for setting up any building or facility on the island will begin uncontrolled situations contrary to the direction of mild socio-economic development of the region (through naturalist tourism and various scientific activities) and create (in the near future) intractable legal problems, given the fact that, sooner or later, the legislative framework (management plans, regional planning etc) for the whole area of "Natura 2000" will be completed.

But even if momentarily valome aside the value of the natural environment of the region should consider that the area immediately adjacent (south coast) is financially supported by industrial scale tourism development. Who will take responsibility for an activity locations Heavy duty (as it had recently proposed to Gavdopoula) putting a time bomb on tourism and the economy, essentially the entire prefecture? Let us not forget that almost all visitors to the prefecture passing through the Samaria gorge ends in Agia Roumeli, just across from Gavdos - Gavdopoula.

We take into account the above the committee meeting to be held next Monday and say that in any case, environmental groups remain vigilant and, if necessary, will take back the campaign to safeguard the natural environment of which and is a prerequisite for a decent future for its inhabitants.

ECOLOGICAL INITIATIVE CHANIA
PO 215 - Chania, 73100, TEL - FAX.: 2821059510
E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , Web site: ecocrete.gr
Chania 23/6/2005