The Hellenic Society for the Protection of Nature (HSPN) is the oldest and most recognized organization in the field of environmental activity in Greece. More than 60 years ago, the Greek Mountaineering Club was formed and quickly realized that the alpine, indeed the natural environment, was under enormous pressure due to the civilizing activity of Man and his reckless desire to accumulate riches. The idea to establish a network of natural reserves in the alpine region of Greece was born. It took, as one could imagine, tremendous courage and stubbornness to put pressure on the government to establish a natural haven for plant and animal alike. The Greek Natural Reserve Bill was passed and became law in 1937. The National Parks of Mt Parnassos and Mt Olympus were thus established in 1938 when a good part of Europe was busy preparing for the Final Solution.
But World War II hit our country with the descent of the barbarians, and Greece started to heal its wounds much later than the rest of the continent. Jacob Santorinaios who had dedicated his life, practically speaking, to the august ideal of protecting Hellenic Nature from the mania of Man, together with other ‘idealists’ – many of whom were scientists, even politicians – isn’t that amazing how this creed has changed! – founded the Hellenic Society for the Protection of Nature in April 1951.
This makes HSPN one of the oldest organizations of its kind on this old and battered continent. Since then, the HSPN “has pursued a policy of protecting Greek flora and fauna advising governments and international organizations on how to go about keeping and preserving what we have inherited. This has led to the establishing of numerous natural parks and protected areas in Greece. Without the HSPN, none of this would have been possible. Brochures, books and periodicals are published, seminars and meetings are organized and persistent lobbying is of date when destructively greedy bills are proposed in Parliament. The HSPN has provided links to many foreign organizations such as the WWF and the IUCN and has been our national representative at the Council of Europe since 1974.”
The HSPN is now proposing to create a National Park on Mt Helmos in the north Peloponnese: the Valley of the Waters of the Styx which has particular ecological interest because of its rare plants, birds and insects, and the Ravine of Vouraikos which also has interesting flora and fauna. It is important to protect these areas from the pollution of cheese factories, legal and illegal hunting and overgrazing. The Helmos area is not far from Lake Stymphalia (Herakles was condemned to face the monstrous birds there, remember?), and the Pheneos Valley, the centre of a great ancient city. Should you doubt of the beauty of this magical area, all you have to do is take off a few days to visit it.
Another interesting project the HSPN is working on is the creation of a coastal park and an environmental centre at Strophilia-Kotichion about 50 miles southwest of Patras. The area nourishes Aleppo and Italian Stone pines, but it also has sand dunes, sea lagoons and small lakes. The area is paradise for fishing, lumbering and animal husbandry.
urthermore, it is an ideal place for ecotourism (you know, the non charter-tour-Greek-salad-syrtaki-Acropolis-kamaki kind) as it is “a natural laboratory for biological research .and a perfect spot for environmental education.” This complex, natural ecosystem should indeed be made into a park before it is overrun by civilization. An institution can be established whereby the educational purpose would go hand in hand with some kind of ecotourist function. The HSPN offers the University of Patras the unique opportunity to researchers to be active in the field of environmental protection. The local community of Lappas-Metochion has shown great interest in the project. Let us hope something will be done soon.
On the verge of summer, the Hellenic Ministry for Urban Planning and the Environment (HMUPE) gave the HSPE the task to monitor and control the quality of the 16,000 km-long Greek coastline. The HSPN has since then checked water quality of beaches according to Bathing Water Directive (76/160 EC); controlling waters around port and marina areas; running an environmental education and information campaign; and controlling safety and coast management. The HSPN has thereafter reported to a committee of five Greek ministries. The final decision was taken by the Foundation for Environmental Education in Europe which is responsible for taking the final decision to make the Blue Flag Awards.
If you were not aware of it yet, Greece was awarded the largest amount of Blue Flags in Europe. Anyone with all his wits about him would not disagree. Have you ever tried to swim in the ‘sea’ of the spectacularly celebrated Cote d’Azur, or the Costa Brava?
One of the latest projects of the HSPN is building up an audiovisual library and a data bank which will be used for educational and environmetal training purposes in schools, associations, private and public companies.
The HSPN has nothing but an extensive experience to share. It should be noted that, as I could gather, contributions are welcome. Indeed, you should know that the HSPN organizes excursions to many areas of this country you would not have dreamed about. Living with the HSPN should be the best manner to learn all you want to learn about the environment of this very old country.
Hellenic Society for the Protection of Nature Nikis 24, 105 57 Athens tel: 322-4944.
