National Park of Strophylia and Kotychi Lagoons
The impressive coastal umbrella pine (Pinus pinea) forest of the National Park of Strophylia and Kotychi Lagoons in W. Peloponnese is under serious threat, due to increased illegal logging operations. The site is protected under the Ramsar Convention and designated as SCI and SPA under the EU’s Habitats and Birds Directives. The particular habitat type (2270 Wooded dunes with Pinus pinea) is listed as priority in Annex I of 92/43/EEC and is one of the three remaining in Greece.
In a letter to all responsible authorities, WWF Greece reported that a mission team counted at least 22 century old trees that were illegally felled the previous day. This activity seriously undermines the conservation status of the protected forest and is indicative of the declining protection status that Greek national parks are faced with, due to the dismantling of the national and regional environmental administration.
Sources: WWF Greece (in Greek), e-Kathimerini