Land-grabbers are ready to pounce on large expanses in Glyfada
According to the head of the General Directorate for Forestry Development and Protection, Stavros Sagris, the Greek state has always managed the 1,100-hectare forest area in the municipality of Glyfada as state forestland. This land was designated as forestland by virtue of Decision 331496/15.12.1972 and its legal status has never been disputed. The public prosecutor’s office has sent an order to all notaries and land registry officials prohibiting all legal acts relating to the area. The 1,100 hectares have been designated as state forestland on recent maps in accordance with Law 248/1976. By virtue of a judicial ruling (6926/2006) the state was recognized as owner of the land at Aixoni, Glyfada. In the same ruling, the area’s classification as state forestland was also confirmed. However, many such decisions designating areas as forestland are issued each year. And according to the provisions of Law 998/79, land that is included in town plans cannot be designated as forestland and therefore the provisions of the aforementioned law are inapplicable. The report of the Advisory Council refers to 2,829 hectares, including the 1,100 hectares of forestland, but also areas that have been part of the Glyfada town plan since 1925. In order to protect Glyfada residents who have property within the town plan, approval for the entire report has so far been withheld. To resolve the issue, clarification has been sought from the State Legal Council to determine which areas are forestland and whether the current law protects their status and ownership by the state.
