The assurance that there will be reforestation of all burned areas in West Attica and Corinthia, gave the Minister of State for the Environment and Energy, George Amyras. He categorically denied what has been circulating in recent days that in these burnt areas, there are plans to change their status or use.
The Deputy Minister of State for the Environment and Energy, George Amyras said that there will be reforestation of all burnt areas. Either through the process of natural regeneration or through the National Reforestation Plan funded by national resources and the Recovery Fund.
«We can be sure that the last meter of burnt area will be green again», the Deputy Minister stressed and noted that time will be given to natural regeneration as «in the 50,000 acres of virgin forest we have not had any other fires in the past and therefore there is room for the forest to recover». «But if natural regeneration in any part of this area fails, we will include these areas in the national reforestation plan.». The Deputy Minister said that «the forest regeneration process of the region will be monitored by satellite, with scientists and in all the ways that forest science dictates».
In high tones, Mr. Amyras categorically denied the various rumors that have been circulating on the internet in recent days and say that «the fire as an ultimate goal had in the change the zoning of a wind turbine park or quarry». The Deputy Minister said, «I want to be unequivocal. First, the character of the burnt lands will not be changed, as the Constitution requires. These areas will immediately be declared reforestation and will be given the normal process. That is, neither their use nor their status will change. Not even half a wind turbine is going to be sited let alone built. No quarry will be sited or allowed to operate on the burnt land, neither for bauxite nor for marble nor for anything else that is said...».
«We,» Amyras said, "at the Ministry of Environment will do our utmost to ensure that the forest is restored, the habitats and the natural forest systems recover. With assistance, with monitoring and all the actions that we have to take.".
