Evros Delta to receive national park status
Plans to protect the Evros Delta, one of Greece’s most significant natural showcases of flora and fauna, by turning it into a national park were unveiled yesterday by the government. According to initial plans agreed upon by five ministries, the park will cover 20,000 hectares which visitors will only be able to access from specific entrances. The Evros Delta is located on Greece’s border with Turkey and consists of lagoons, lakes, marshes and reed beds which provide habitats to more than 330 varieties of birds. Authorities intend to divide the delta into eight protected areas to which visitors will be able to access. The area was declared a Ramsar-protected wetland in 1974 but if it becomes a national park, it would be a significant transformation for the delta, which lies in militarily sensitive area and has not enjoyed much tourism.
