2024-03-27 03:46:28
It will also be 2024 before we see the Pamvotida Lake Presidential Decree, with the Minister of Environment and Energy Theodoros Skylakakis timing the approval of the Plan at the end of the year.
Responding to the question of the MP from Ioannina of the New Left Meropi Tzoufis regarding the need to institutionalize the Presidential Decree of Lake Pamvotida, but also more generally, the need to take measures to protect the ecosystem, Mr. Skylakakis cited the difficulty of the case of Ioannina and the great burden work of the Directorate of Natural Environment and Biodiversity to justify the delays, which he himself admitted.
At the same time, however, he did not give any answer regarding the possible change of the lake’s boundaries, a discussion opened today by the deputy minister, Ioannina MP of the ND Maria Kefala, nor about the financing of projects and interventions required for the restoration of the lake, according to the master plan of the former Agency, but also the proposals of the Epirus Department of the Technical Chamber, some of which were mentioned by Mrs. Tzouffi.
In fact, in her question, the member of parliament from Ioannina accused the New Democracy government of indifference and promises of the former deputy minister G. Amyras, which were never implemented.
“The Mitsotakis government put the DP in the drawer. and the special studies, chose to abolish the Management Bodies, canceling any attempt to participate and dialogue with the local communities. Today the Presidential Decree, which determines, among other things, land uses, remains in the drawer. The only development was the inexpensive statements of the former deputy minister, which were committed to the beginning of 2023”, noted Mrs. Tzouffi in her introduction and concluded: “The society of Ioannina is watching the developments with concern. There will be the political will to complete the issuance of the P.D. and to protect Lake Pamvotida legally and institutionally?”.
The Minister of the Environment noted that 23 Special Environmental Studies have been commissioned for 466 areas of the Natura 2000 network, based on which the Presidential Decrees are approved.
“In Ioannina, this is an extremely difficult area because there are extensive man-made activities and it is a city, at least most of it, inside a Natura area and a lake with increased protection needs. We have received the Special Environmental Study and it was posted for consultation in the spring of 2023. The relevant issue went to the Directorate of Natural Environment and Biodiversity Management and the final approval will follow in the coming months”, he noted, clarifying in his second opinion that this will be done at the end of year, as there is a heavy burden on the services since the P.D. plans are pending. for all Special Environmental Studies.
“I hope that your promises are not like those of your predecessors,” noted Ms. Tzouffi in her rejoinder, raising questions about the prioritization and funding of necessary projects. “After so many years of discussions and false promises, it is time to protect Lake Pamvotida,” he added, speaking of a place that deserves a better future.
Not even in his rejoinder did Mr. Skylakakis commit to funding projects, noting that “resources do not come from the air, but are a product of development”, to continue saying that no one wants RES projects “in their backyard”. “At the end of the day, if everyone thinks like that, there won’t be any yard to put them in. There is no one in Greece who does not consider that he lives in a uniquely beautiful environment and rightfully so. This country is blessed. But at the same time we need to find money to protect Lake Pamvotida and for 100 other issues, such as the disasters that are coming with mathematical certainty from the climate crisis to man-made disasters”, he noted, among other things, stressing that there is a need for moderation between the protection requirements of the environment and to the increased demands that want some opinions. “Governments are judged by their ability to bridge these things,” he concluded.