2007 that burnt villages and areas of extreme natural beauty in Western Peloponnese is only one tragic example. Many other fires preceded and followed, such as fires in Parnitha Mountain, the last green area close to Athens, in Evia island and other mainland regions.
 Ecological Problem No 2: Beaches
Another ecological problem in Greece has to do with beaches. The large number of tourists that overflow Greece and the Greek islands every summer may leave cigarette trashes, bottles, cans or plastic bags behind, so beaches are left dirty. At this point, it is certainly a great responsibility of the state to put more bins in the beach resorts and arrange cleaning teams to keep the beach clean and tidy. However, it is a duty of all visitors, too, to respect the environment.
Environment-friendly trekking
The same duty applies for trekkers, who cross the mountain sides and valleys of Greece. The country has beautiful areas and they have to remain beautiful. That is why trekkers and campers must make sure they have left no rubbish behind. It is a shame that sometimes we see empty bottles of water or plastic bags on the sides of trekking routes.
Rules for the protection of the environment
Unfortunately, the Greek State has decided to take action only the last years. However, they say that it is never too late. The Greek Minister of Environment, with special controls every year, testifies the cleanness of beaches. It protects the biotopes that have been included in the European Programme Natura 2000 that includes protection of the flora and fauna of these biotopes. It imposes certain rules to factories to reduce gas emission and to car owners to take care of their cars. There are also rules for the individuals. For example, it is forbidden, even to campers, to light up fires in the woods.
Action taken by the State and organizations
Fortunately, except for the Greek State, individuals have also taken strong action. Many environmental organizations have been set up, whose role is very important. People in Greece are just learning to take part in recycling. Tree planting are organized to areas that were burnt, so that illegal building will be prevented soon. Volunteer teams are set to watch forests in summer, clean beaches and organize meetings on environmental issues.
Moreover, foundations have been established to protect the animals, such as the Arktouros Society for the protection of wild bear in Epirus and the Aegina Wildlife Hospital that works as a rehabilitation centre for the sick or wounded animals and birds. Furthermore, action is taken to stop overbuilding on the islands, so that their pure landscape remains untouched. New ecology websites and forums also inform people on the dangers that the Greek environment faces and to promote a new, environmental-friendly attitude.
Ecology is a really fragile issue in Greece and the Greek islands. It is our responsibility to protect the area we live in and the country we visit.
For more information on Greece Ecology, visit the following sites:
- Greek Ministry of Environment
- E-ecology, site for the ecology in the area of Fthiotida, Central Greece (in Greek)
Some important environmental organizations in Greece are:
- Arktouros, an organization dedictated to the protection of wild animals and particularly to the protection of the brown bear that lives in Northern and Central Greece
- Hellenic Wildlife Hospital, an organization for the protection of abandoned and wounded animals that has its base on Aegina island, Saronic
- Greek Animal Welfare Fund, established to help stray animals in Greece |
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Ecology in Greece and the Greek islands: Greece is known all over the world for its clean beaches and the lush green nature that dominates in the mountainous parts of the mainland. However, things are getting dangerous over the years and, unless we all pay attention, the beautiful and rejuvenating Greek environment will start to decline. 
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