Environmental Protection
Client: Ministry of Environmental and Urban Planning Works-Department of Environmental Design
Year: 1996
ISSUE
The purpose of the study was to resolve specific environmental problems and to implement a management and operation plan for the protected region of Delta Nestos River and the cluster of lakes Vistonida and Ismarida and their broader area.
SOLUTION
The purpose of this study was to ensure the ecological function and value, enhancement and management of the region through appropriate regulatory and management measures identified and specialized for this region and finally to implement the proposed measures with specific studies and projects.
The study included the following:
• Review of previous studies o existing data and the examination and update of the abiotic, biotic and anthropogenic parameters that characterize the area. Based upon these studies, the boundaries of the protected region were defined and the aforementioned wetlands (Delta of Nestos River, Lake Vistonida and Ismarida) were designated as National Parks (Joint Ministerial Decree 5796/16.09.96: Definition of Ramsar Zones A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, B1, B2, B3, B4, Γ1, Γ2 and Γ3).
• Assessment of the environmental pressures and implications.
• Preparation of proposals on studies, projects, operations, regulations, measures and other specific interventions for maintenance and operation of the region (area designation in accordance with the Law 1650/86, proposals for delimitation of protected areas, determination of compatible uses and activities and protection measures).
In particular, the proposed works-studies included the following:
• Study-work for the integration of the protected areas in the cadastral procedures
• Topographic study for the exact location of the protected areas
• Investigation study of the physicochemical parameters and purification of lake Vistonida
• Study-work of flood protection measures for Lake Vistonida
• Study-work for controlling the sedimentation process in Lake Vistonida
• Study-hydraulic works for sediment transport and deposition in lake Vistonida from Kompsatos torrent
• Study for water balance and sediment control of Lake Ismarida
• Impact study due to the flow reduction in Nestos River from the PPC water reservoirs
• Study-work for water pollution control in the trench of Agiasma and recharge of lagoons Vasova-Agiasma
• Monitoring programme for water pollution from agricultural activities-efficiency of irrigation water
• Work: cleaning of the channel connecting Lake Ismarida with the sea
• Study for the water resources management based on river basins for each of the proposed areas
• Investigation study for the protection of biodiversity in the aquatic system of the Nestos River
• Restoration of the historical forest “Kotza Orman”
• Management study for the birds of prey in the wetlands of Thrace
• Study-work for fishing shelters in lake Vistonida
• Study-work for establishing fish-hatchery farm lagoons
• Management plan for the existing reed and reinforcement of the vegetation fences
• Study-work of development of ecotourism activities
• Study-work of mild interventions at the beach of Avdira
• Study-work of mild interventions at the beach of Mirodatos
• Study-work of mild interventions at the beach of Nea Kessani
• Study-work of mild interventions at the beach of Erasmios
• Study-work of mild interventions at the beach of Maganos
• Study for the delimitation of pasture tones and the improvement of the pasture activities
• Work for installing signs at the National Parks of Delta of Nestos River-Lake Vistonida and Ismarida Lake
• Work for improving and opening of pathways in the region Delta of Nestos River
Moreover, a management body for the broader area of the wetlands s proposed with the following responsibilities:
• Scheduling of the actions based on the management and operation plan of the protected areas
• Application of long-term actions (e.g. permanent monitoring of environmental parameters) as well as daily application of the measures, conditions and restrictions which are valid in the protected areas
BENEFIT
This study created a useful tool for the resolution of specific environmental problems and the implementation of a management and operation plan for the protected areas of Delta Nestos River, cluster of Vistonida and Ismarida Lakes and their broader area.