Organic farmers demand forest maps reform from the government

In a letter addressed to the Minister of Environment and Energy, Kostas Skrekas and the Deputy Minister of Environmental Protection, George Amyras, the Kythera Organic Farmers Association calls for the reform of the forest maps and the possibility of objections from the owners.

In the letter, reference is made to the migration that affected the islands (Kythera - Antikythera) from the First World War until the 1950s, when significant agricultural land was abandoned by its owners and then covered by vegetation, so that it is now presented as forest. However, these are areas for which there are contracts dating back to the 19th century (therefore, aerial photographs from before 1950 are not sufficient for them to be classified as woodland), while according to an official document from the Technical Forestry Council, they are covered only by woody vegetation and can therefore be classified as grassland and therefore cultivated in a mild manner.

Particular mention is made of the peculiar status of the islands, with the existence of the Domestic Property excluding the involvement of the Greek State in any ownership status on the land.

The following is the letter of the Kythera Organic Farmers Association:

REQUEST BY ORGANIC FARMERS OF KYTHERA FOR THE REFORM OF FOREST MAPS OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF KYTHERA AND POSSIBILITY OF OBJECTIONS.

Honourable ladies and gentlemen,

After the «Posting of the forest map of local / municipal communities of the Municipality of Kythera, regional unit of the Islands and invitation to submit objections against its content» on 26-2-2021 with Protocol Number 23036 and IDA 6MY8OP1K-EΓ1, we would like to point out the following:

1. In Kythera, the non-private areas do not belong to the Greek state, but to the Domestic Property of Kythera and Antikythera, which is managed by an elected Board of Directors, so the areas that are characterized as forested do not lose their private ownership.
2. Due to the period of the English rule and the Ionian State, Kythera has an archive of property deeds from the nineteenth century, which are accessible to the Kythira people and the authorities.
3. Kythera was affected by a great internal and external migration to Athens and Piraeus and America, Australia and Egypt from the First World War until the 1950s, resulting in the abandonment of privately owned agricultural land, covered only by fryganic vegetation, without the presence of forest vegetation (sparse or not, high or bushy) and appearing forested in the aerial photographs of 1946 and 1960.

As a result of the above, the following can be observed in the validated forest maps:

1. The island municipality of Kythera and Antikythera seems to be covered in its vast majority by areas classified as forest.
2. Areas where there is agricultural activity seem to be classified as forest.
3. Old agricultural land abandoned by their owners due to migration during the interwar period and until 1950 is classified as forest.

According to European legislation, as organic farmers, we are obliged to cultivate our fields, leaving native vegetation on the periphery.

Also parcels cultivated with organic methods, are mildly developed, with interventions that respect the environment and people. Because of this, our parcels may also be located in grassland.

For the above reasons we would like to ask you:

1. To reformulate the Forest Maps according to Law 4685/2020, article 48, in relation to the document of the Technical Council of Forests (8/22-4-2019) «Adoption of an opinion on the conceptual characterisation and definition of those areas falling within the provisions of par. 5^α of Article 3 of Law 998/1979 (A', 289) and are covered only by woody vegetation, within the meaning of the provisions of paras. 1, 2, 3, 3, 4 and 5^α of article 3 of Law 998/1979 (A», 289), as amended and in force and specified in articles 2, 3 and 5 of PD 32/2016 (A', 46)...". According to this, most of Kythera is being converted from forest to grassland, and can therefore be cultivated in mild ways.
2. Forested fields before 1946 can be interpreted with other information than aerial photographs (contracts, existence of agricultural activities such as terraces, stables, farmhouses, testimonies)
3. To give the possibility, with the revision of the forest maps, to allow the owners to object again.

We would ask you to address this issue immediately, as deadlines are very tight!

Thank you in advance.

For E.V.I.KY.

The President

ELENA MAGEIROU

The Secretary

HELEN KALINIKOU

The Vice President

EIRINI VENERI

The Treasurer

CONSTANTINE LOURANTOS

The Member

FRIDAY GEORGILAS