Protection and Distinction of the Natural Environment, in and out of the City.
Protection, Reforestation of Massifs.

 
The aim of the program is the protection and distinction of Attica's Massifs that are the largest open Public areas. When these are modified they can be converted into an impetus of green and recreation reference points for the wider area.

The interventions for the protection and reforestation of the massifs aim at the improvement of the quality of life of the inhabitants in the Basin, through:

  • The banning of all incompatible uses and the definition of compatible uses provided that they do not interfere with the function of the mountains, as natural ecosystems.
  • The protection, increase and unification of the tree-planted areas. This will improve climatic conditions and facilitate air renewal in the Basin of Athens, thus contributing to the combating of the smog by helping to carry masses of clean air into Athens.

Overall, with the issue of Presidential Decrees in 1994 and 1995, 780 thousands of acres of land are being protected.

  • The mitigation of the expansion of the urban sprawl in the mountains and the creation of recreation grounds in them. Due to continuous violations and division of the massifs, the prompt implementation and fostering of the protection decrees, is imperative.
  • The operational linkage of the massifs with the residential cluster, through the enactment of provisions that will facilitate the creation of green areas and recreation poles, under a unified network of green that will transcend over a wider area.

Through these interventions, a green area zone around the urban web will be formed, increasing, thus, the peri-urban green from 19% today, to 51%.

Overall, in accordance with the programs 1994-1995, a total of 850,000 acres are being reforested.

 
Program implementation. Course - Progress - Report

Institutional Regulations for the Protection of the Massifs

Land uses that consolidate and protect green and public uses areas of a total of 225,000 acres, have been delimited and imposed.

More specifically:

  • For the enactment of the Protection Zones in Mount Aegaleo (of 55,000 acres in land area), the study has been completed, the process has been finalized, and the Presidential Decree has been signed. Thus, an area of 55,000 acres has been consolidated as a protected pole of green and recreation.
  • The Presidential Decree for the protection of Lavreotiki Massif (170,000 acres) is open for signature. Through this, the forest and agricultural area of Mesoghia is safeguarded, the coasts are protected and land uses, terms and building restrictions for regions of summer homes are defined.
  • The Study for the Protection of Mount Parnes with total land area of 200,000 acres, has been completed and is being forwarded for discussion to Local Authorities and Bodies. Furthermore, the process and finalization of the Presidential Decree is under way.

Interventions and works for Reforestation in the Massifs.

  • After several efforts, a joint planning and coordination action plan involving bodies from the Ministry of Agriculture, the Developmental Associations of the Local Authorities, and the Ministry for the Environment, Physical Planning and Public Works, has been established. This aims to foster interventions and programs for the reforestation of the Massifs of Attica.
  • The program makes provision for the reforestation and rehabilitation of 850,000 acres, amounting to a total cost of 12 billion GRD.
  • In 1994, works have been carried out at a total cost of 656 millions, and works amounting to 3.418 billions are under way to be completed in 1995 and 1996.
  • With the absorption of these funds, about 30% - 40% of the total area of the massifs of Aegaleo, Hymettus, Parnes, and Pendeli will be reforested. In Detail:
    • Reforestations which have been effected through supervision by Ministry of Agriculture personnel:

      Sites: Axoni
      Bouras Hill - Spata
      Kareas of Hymettus
      Polidendri of Kapandriti
      Sounion
      Aegaleo (Mount Pikilon)
      Pendeli
      Zofria (Mount Pikilon)
      Kapsalonas (Mount Pikilon)
      Schina Hortaria - Kiourka
      Total area: 800 acres
      Cost: 73.3 million GRD

    • Reforestations effected through contracts:

      Total Area: 2,100 acres
      Cost: 183.5 million GRD

    • Reforestations and infrastructure studies for creating green areas, effected through the Developmental Associations, financed by the Ministry for the Environment, Physical Planning and Public Works.

      • Mount Pikilon (ASDA).
      • Cost: 128 million
      • Hymettus (SPAI).
      • Cost: 65 million
      • Pendeli (SPAP).
      • Cost: 166 million

    • Reforestations under way:

      • Additional planting and cultivating interventions on Aegaleo, and Mount Pikilon
      • Financing: 1.4 billion
      • Reforestation studies and works on Hymettus
      • Financing: 535 million
      • Reforestation studies and works on Pendeli
      • Financing: 378,5 million
      • Reforestation studies and works on Parnitha
      • Financing: 105 million
      • Total financing: 3,418 billion