Protected ecological park on the island of Karpathos
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May 18, 2009
The establishment of a protected ecological park was announced for an area covering 1/3 of the island of Karpathos (102 square kilometres) and the uninhabited island of Saria. The multi-ministerial decision was signed by Minister of the Environment, Physical Planning & Public Works, Mr Giorgos Souflias.
The land and marine region mentioned was characterized as ‘Ecological Development Region of Olymbos Northern Karpathos.’ The protected region covers roughly 155 thousands acres (of which 102 thousands acres is on land and 53 thousands acres covers marine enviroment). This region constitutes a land and marine environment which are amongst the richest ecological areas of Europe. An abundance of species of flora and fauna reside in the area. The region is residence for an important number of species including the Mediterranean monk seals (above) (monachus monachus) believed to be the world's rarest fin-footed and one of the most endangered mammals of the world, birds such as the European bee-eaters (above) (merops apiaster), 
the European rollers (above) (coracias garrulous), falcons (above) (Falco eleonorae) 
Gulls (above) (Larus audouinii)  and submarine meadows (above) (posidonias). The objective of the decision was: With the enactment of ‘Ecological Development Region,’ we seek the more effective protection, maintenance, management and the distinction of the natural environment of Karpathos and Saria, as well as the particular archaeological, cultural and aesthetic elements of the region. According to the multi-ministerial decision, the region will be separated into two areas: A and B Areas of Protection. The entire region is available to: scientific research, environmental education, alternative tourism, the organization and operation of scuba diving parks and the maintenance and the modernization of existing networks and infrastructures. Not allowed in the whole region: the installations, storage and distribution of fossil fuels greater than 300 cubic meters, petrochemicals and chemical products, as well as their supporting infrastructures. Also, not allowed is the disposal of unrefined urban sewages. 
Source: Hellenic Ministry of the Environment, Physical Planning & Public Works
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