The Green Tank submitted comments on the amendments proposed by the Ministry of Environment and Energy regarding permitted uses and activities within protected areas (Article 98), as part of the public consultation on the draft law titled: “Modernization of legislation for the use and production of energy from renewable sources… – Provisions on environmental and forest protection – Arrangements for the organization and adequate staffing of the Ministry of Environment and Energy and its supervised bodies.”
The proposed provision allowing the urban development (zoning) of land within zones of sustainable natural resource management is considered highly problematic. This provision entails serious risks of degradation of protected areas, as it weakens their protection status and may lead to increased pressures on sensitive ecosystems αand species. For this reason, The Green Tank calls for its withdrawal.
On the other hand, the inclusion of conservation and nature restoration actions among the permitted uses within protected areas is viewed positively. However, for the remaining proposed activities, including nature-based recreation, it is essential to explicitly ensure their compatibility with the conservation objectives of each protected area and zone. Such an addition is critical to prevent the approval of incompatible activities, particularly in zones of strict protection and nature protection.
Read our detailed comments [in Greek] here.
