Unregistered, Greece’s forests languishing
As World Forestry Day was observed yesterday, Greece found itself once more in the awkward position of not having any forestry maps or register. Meanwhile, Parliament debated a review of Article 24 of the Constitution – a section which concerns forests – that raised a storm of protest. It appears that the article will be reviewed, but not until the next Parliament, which will need a majority of 180 votes (out of 300) to pass the amendment. Greece’s forests are under considerable pressure, particularly those classified as scrubland, and not all have been mapped in detail. Most of the demands are for housing, with all that entails. According to Christos Zerefos, a professor of atmospheric physics and the head of the Athens Observatory, 600-1,000 hectares of forest are obliterated every year by fire. «These areas are then very vulnerable to the extreme climatic phenomena that have plagued the planet in recent years. Greek forests are sending out an SOS,» he said. The Panhellenic Union of Foresters has emphasized the need to draw up forestry maps. «We have a duty to talk about forests and their part in maintaining environmental stability and the quality of life, particularly today when the threat of climate change, the greenhouse effect and desertification, as well as the serious effects the destruction of forests has on biodiversity, is causing concern around the world,» the group said in an announcement. The foresters’ union, along with the Geotechnical Chamber, believes the primary goal should be drawing up forestry maps and a forestry register, and not the review of Article 24. Forestry service officials say this could be done soon if the political will is there, as well as the necessary funds. They say material already exists in the maps of a large part of Attica that were drawn up before 1993. Mapping forests as well as scrub areas (those patches of regenerated greenery that sprouts up after forests are destroyed by fires) could be completed within a year, according to the forestry service. However, the Panhellenic Federation of Forestry Workers (PODY) charges that the forestry service, which manages and protects over 65 percent of the country’s surface area, is being systematically undermined by major staff shortages – about 55 percent of positions are vacant. According to PODY, the 1,112 forest watchtowers are not in use because of a lack of staff and material. Of the 286 forestry bureaus, some 70 percent are closed. «These two units are the heart of the forestry service. With such major shortages, it means there is no forestry protection,» said PODY’s head, Apostolos Gerasis. Forestry officials are calling for resources from the Fourth Community Support Framework.
