A group of eleven environmental groups have demanded the immediate repeal of a ministerial decree issued by the Deputy Minister of Environment, Energy and Climate Change, Nikos Tagaras, which alters the boundaries of a wild life reserve in Aliki, Pieria.
According to the groups, the ministerial decree is “unwarranted, unsubstantiated and unlawful” and aims to “shrink the boundaries of the wild life reserve, in yet another ‘development exercise’, in order to pave the road for the construction of the ‘Olympiad’ holiday resort”.
The groups, which include Arktouros, Archelon, Mediterranean Network SOS, the Greek Society of the Protection of Environment and Culture, Greek Society of the Protection of Nature, the Greek Ornithological Society, Callisto, Greenpeace, Medasset, MOm and WWF Hellas, argue that the nature reserve and wetlands host a unique array of birds and flora and condemned the attempt to circumvent the law.
Additionally the groups believe that this controversial decision will open the floodgates for further “shortsighted and catastrophic” such developments in areas with a unique environmental value and cite the recent efforts of the coalition government to introduce questionable legislation for Greek shoreline.
The wildlife reserve is within a special protection zone as outlined by the Natura 2000 network and is adjacent to a special area of conservation and the National Park of the Axios – Loudias – Aliakmonas delta. The Deputy Minister Mr. Tagaras who has approved of the controversial decree disregarded the recommendation of the local managing body.
