In a significant conservation victory, the Aoos River, stretching from Northern Pindos National Park to the Greek-Albanian border, has been declared a Protected Landscape and Natural Formation. This landmark decision, formalized through Ministerial Decision YPEN/FPB/61146/1573, categorically prohibits the construction of any dams or hydropower plants, including small hydropower projects (SHPs), across the protected section of the river.
This move is a response to the intense efforts of environmental organizations like MedINA, Pindos Perivallontiki, and The Green Tank, alongside the international coalition ‘Save the Blue Heart of Europe.’ These groups have long advocated for the river’s protection, emphasizing its ecological value and role in the local community.
The Aoos River, known for its free-flowing waters, supports a diverse ecosystem and provides numerous benefits to the local economies through sustainable activities such as farming, stockbreeding, and tourism. This decision ensures that such activities can continue without the looming threat of environmental degradation caused by infrastructure development.
Moreover, this protection status is just the beginning. Plans are already in motion to elevate the area to a National Park status and potentially merge it with the neighbouring Vjosa National Park in Albania, aiming to establish Europe’s first Transboundary Wild River National Park. This initiative safeguards the biodiversity within these regions and sets a precedent for river conservation across Europe.
In light of the new EU Nature Restoration Law, which emphasizes removing barriers from European rivers to restore 25 000 km by 2030, protecting the Aoos River aligns perfectly with broader continental conservation goals. This strategic decision marks a key moment in environmental protection, ensuring that the Aoos River will remain for generations to come. For further information, read MedINA’s press release here: https://med-ina.org/a-shield-of-protection-for-the-aoos-river/
