Per favore, aderite alla petizione, sollecitata da Gregorio Tsunis, un ornitologo greco che ha studiato in Italia negli anni '80.
Cordiali saluti
Giuseppe Bogliani
EBN700
Pavia
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GO PETITION:
http://www.gopetition.com/online/26893.html
P E T I T I O N :
SAY “NO” TO THE TURNING OUT OF ACHELOOS’S RIVER COURSE (GREECE)
Acheloos, is the second in length river of Greece (222 kms).
Its springs are located in an altitude of 2.000 meters, at Lakmo of Metsovo, in the center of Pindos mountain range and it flows into the Ionian Sea, north of the Echinades Islands (Western Greece).
During the antiquity, Acheloos was worshiped as it was considered to be the most significant river god.
The affluent waters of Acheloos river, overflowing in its course, fertilized the land of Etolia and Akarnania.
After 1960, with the construction of dams, which destroyed some of the most beautiful spots of the area, Acheloos ceased to be considered as a divine river and it turned into a series of artificial lakes, which have degraded the wild natural beauty of the area.
The above dams created a number of problems, concerning the river, its delta, as well as the Messologi Lagoon.
The construction of the dams in the watershed of Acheloos has radically altered the hydrographic and hydrologic characteristic of the river, while the most impressive evidence of the river’s “artificial eminence”, is the creation of the biggest Hellenic hydroelectric stations in its watershed.
At the beginning of the 1980s, for fairly political reasons, the turning out of the river’s course was designed, towards Thessalia, a huge environmental interference for the “agricultural development” of Thessalia.
Despite the numerous studies, the project was never sufficiently and roundly studied and it roused counter reactions from many sides.
Though the years, the project was segmented, transformed, it was even renamed “environmental”, in order to be funded by the European Union!! But, in vain! After the documented opposition of many competent associations, the above project was rejected time after time, even by the State Council.
Now, the Hellenic Ministry of Environment, Land Planning and Public Works, instead of reconsidering the whole matter, today, it strongly promotes a project dead as a dodo, based on an agricultural development pattern, long gone by.
The negative effects of this project will be countless.
The project will finish off the already wounded river, with the designed turning of its course, which will lead its waters to Thessalia.
The biotopes of upper Acheloos and southern Pindos, will undergo a great disaster, from the construction and operation of the project. Further, the natural landscape and the forests in the valley of Acheloos and in Pindos mountain range, will be downgraded, while villages –monuments of folklore tradition– will be either wiped off, or will suffer irrecoverable disasters.
The already reduced flow of the river will be also affected, resulting in the creation of countless problems in the river’s delta, as well as in the much afflicted Messologi Lagoon.
Instead of implementing a project of great cost and doubtful result, we propose the exploitation of the aquatic potential of Thessalia itself (into the frames of the Integrated Administration of Pinios river watershed), the development and implementation of a far-sighted agricultural strategy, aiming at less water consuming cultivations, the protection of the soil from being deserted and the development of biologic agriculture.
Enough is enough! We don’t need any more cotton and corn!
It’s time to talk about water economy for the lowlands of Thessalia, as well as to adopt alternative and most profitable cultivations!
We belong to those who declare: “NO TO THE TURNING OF ACHELOOS’S RIVER COURSE”, because we support the life cycle, the water cycle.
● THE TURNING OF ACHELOOS RIVER’S COURSE CONSISTS A GREAT CRIME AGAINST THE HELLENIC, AS WELL AS THE EUROPEAN NATURE!!!
● RIVERS DO NOT TURN BACK. RATIONAL WATER ADMINISTRATION NOW!!!
● SIGN IN ORDER TO STOP ONE OF THE GREATEST ECOLOGIC CRIMES IN GREECE!!!
GO PETITION:
http://www.gopetition.com/online/26893.html