Article by Katerina Inglezis*
Every summer, the issue of wildfires returns to the forefront of public attention. Discussions focus on the preventive measures being taken, the adequacy of resources and time for preparing firefighting operations, the role of climate change in the vulnerability of Mediterranean forest ecosystems, as well as the role of human activity. Consequently, the public debate revolves around the principles of prevention and precaution.
The issue of wildfires, however, involves a very important aspect that we often overlook in the face of the devastation. And that is restoration. The case of Kythira highlights an approach to restoring environmental damage—in this instance, restoration following a fire— while simultaneously exploring opportunities to enhance the natural environment.
Last summer, the fire on the island of Kythira shocked the entire country, both because of its intensity and the extent of the destruction. A significant portion of the island was destroyed, 25,000 stremmata. What is particularly interesting in the case of Kythira, however, is what happened the very next day—namely, how the restoration of the burned areas was handled. On the initiative of the Hellenic Society for the Protection of Nature, in collaboration with the Domestic Property Committee, a coordinated effort was launched to restore the damage and, at the same time, prevent future disasters. This effort brought together various organizations, the municipal government, scientific institutes, and the citizens themselves. And this is an extremely important factor.
The initiatives of the Kythira Regeneration Program aim not only to restore the region by supporting the growth of natural vegetation and through targeted reforestation, but also to strengthen the local economy, supporting local activities and products—such as honey or livestock farming—reclaiming abandoned agricultural land, raising public awareness, and providing environmental education. Ultimately, it becomes clear that the restoration and environmental revitalization of the island are aimed at its sustainable development. They aim to mobilize everyone so that the island’s natural wealth can be revitalized and, through this process, its importance can become part of everyone’s consciousness.
For most people, the day after a fire is a continuation of the nightmare of the fire itself. Land that is designated for reforestation but is threatened by encroachment, clearing, and illegal grazing—all of which prevent it from regenerating—and much more. Kythira, however, shows us that the best way to protect the environment and foster optimism in the wake of disaster stems from the very will for humans to coexist with nature. Studies were conducted, volunteers were organized and mobilized, students and the local community participated, and workshops and restoration efforts were carried out. And this is the best guarantee for protecting the island from wildfires: its own people.
Ultimately, what becomes clear is that sustainability and sustainable development are not abstract concepts that will emerge by chance. It is our own decisions and actions that demonstrate that we can ensure a better future for future generations and a natural environment that will serve as the foundation for their development.
* Katerina Inglezi is a forester, a member of parliament representing the Chalkidiki Prefecture for SYRIZA, and Chair of the Hellenic Parliament’s Special Standing Committee on Environmental Protection.
