Environmental Protection and Natura 2000 Network in Greece

1. Environmental Protectionand Natura 2000 Network in Greece Giapis Alexandros Ioannis Agriculturist – Ichthyologist PhD Local Rural Development Center of Serres

2. Nowadays basic terms • Special Protection Areas (SPA) • Sites of Community Importance (SCI) • Natura 2000 Network • Biodiversity Environmental Protection in Greece and in Europe – L.R.D.C. Serres

3. Main categories of protected areas in Greece • National Parks • Monuments of Nature • Aesthetic Forests • Permanent Chase Refuges • Sea National Parks Environmental Protection in Greece and in Europe – L.R.D.C. Serres

4. European Community Legal Framework • Directive79/409/EEC “Birds’ Directive” Special Protection Areas (S.P.A.) • Directive 92/43/EEC «on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora» Sites of Community Importance (S.C.I.) Environmental Protection in Greece and in Europe – L.R.D.C. Serres

5. Biodiversity Loss • The biodiversity loss rate nowadays is 1000 – 10000 times higher than the normal rate. • 42% of mammals, 15% of birdsand 45% of insects and reptiles in Europe are in danger of extinction. • The main cause of lossis the destruction of species’ biotopes. • Far beyond the aesthetic and the environmental importance of species,that loss has also an important economic value. Environmental Protection in Greece and in Europe – L.R.D.C. Serres

6. The hold of biodiversity loss • At 2001the target of «the hold of biodiversity loss till 2010» was set. • 20,3 billions euro of the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development are outlaidfor agro-environmental meters forthe years 2007 – 2013. • In Athens Conference (27-28/4/2009) was a clear assumption of the “2010 target” failure. • The need of extra economic support of that “target” was emphasized. Environmental Protection in Greece and in Europe – L.R.D.C. Serres

7. The tool for the biodiversity loss hold Biotope’s Directive 92/43/EEC Birds’ Directive 79/409/EEC Sites of Community Importance (S.C.I.) Special Protection Areas (S.P.A.) NATURA 2000 Network Environmental Protection in Greece and in Europe – L.R.D.C. Serres

8. NATURA 2000 Network Environmental Protection in Greece and in Europe – L.R.D.C. Serres

9. Special Protection Areas in E.U. Environmental Protection in Greece and in Europe – L.R.D.C. Serres

10. Sites of Community Importance in E.U. Environmental Protection in Greece and in Europe – L.R.D.C. Serres

11. Natura 2000 Network in Greece Environmental Protection in Greece and in Europe – L.R.D.C. Serres

12. NATURA 2000Network in Europe Προστατευόμενες Περιοχές - ΤΟ.Κ.Α.Α. Σερρών

13. The need of involvement in protection • The recognized as land users such as farmers, bee keepers, hunters, fishermenand land owners ought to claim their participation in Natura 2000 network areas’ management. • Directive 92/43 recognizes and demands from these areas’ users to participate in decision making procedures dealing with the areas’ management. • Directive 92/43 states clearly : “Whereas, the main aim of this Directive being to promote the maintenance of biodiversity, taking account of economic, social, cultural and regional requirements, this Directive makes a contribution to the general objective of sustainable development; whereas the maintenance of such biodiversity may in certain cases require the maintenance, or indeed the encouragement, of human activities;”. Environmental Protection in Greece and in Europe – L.R.D.C. Serres

14. Promoting Natura2000 Awareness raising on the Natura 2000 Network among users – in particular hunters Promoting Natura 2000 & Sustainable Wildlife use (hunting and angling) Environmental Protection in Greece and in Europe – L.R.D.C. Serres

15. Obligations of action for the environmental protection The agro-environmental meters have to be practiced essentially and not only “in papers”. Everyone’s actions in countryside have to be responsible, having awareness of the specific conditions. The persons who are in charge for the application of the environmental – friendly meters ought to demonstrate the needed responsibility. Everyone have to undertake its part of duty. Environmental Protection in Greece and in Europe – L.R.D.C. Serres

16. Facts • The need for environmental protection is now indisputable. • Environmental protection should not be limited only to “designated” areas. • The procedures currently proposed, may find reactions but are the only available at present and should be followed. Environmental Protection in Greece and in Europe – L.R.D.C. Serres

17. Images like this…..

18. …should change!

19. Ευχαριστώ! Thank you!