ECOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION OF KATO DIMINIOU AND PROTECTION OF THE KORINTHIAN GULF

REGION PELOPONNISSOS

Prefecture KORINTHIA

ECOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION OF KATO DIMINIOU AND PROTECTION OF THE

KORINTHIAN GULF

Date of Initial Completion: 29/6/1996 1st Update: 11/2/1998 2nd Update (CHAP.I): 17/12/1999

Date of Last Update: 13/3/2001

I. Identity of Organisation

The Organisation is a member of the: 1. Federation of Ecological Organizations of the Korinthian gulf “Alkyon”, 2.

Hellenic Network for Ecological Organizations, 3. Federation of the Voluntary Non Governmental Organizations of

Address

KATO DIMINIO Postal Code 202 00 Street:

Tel. 27420-22414, 27420-27377 Fax 210-8218710, 210-6440310, 27420-20392

Contact Persons: VASILIS KELARIS Tel. 210-6440300, 210-6823853, 6977 668776

Legal Status

The Organisation is Association - Union since 1990

Aims

Protecting the Korinthian gulf / upgrading life quality and protecting nature

Members and Friends

With voting right: 335 of whom have paid their membership fee: 200

Material Substructure

Office: Guest, Operating days: Daily

There are databases in Paper its morph and structure is Incomes - outcomes / publications / press (publications -

articles) magazines of UNICEF / childrens rights

Activities Hall: Almost 350 individuals

Administrative board

Kellaris Vasilis President

Papaggelopoulos Nikitas Vice President

Alexandropoulou Vivi Secretary

Chouselas Evaggelos Treasurer

Anagnostopoulou Liza Member

Noukpans Errikos Member

Sakoulas Ilias Member

II. Activities

General Issue: Cultural action

Issue-Topic: Events - Excursions

From: 1989 To: 1996 Range: Regional

Activities - Results:

Organisation of musical events with the participation of MONTESSORI schools.

Organisation of two cycling events and visits to Delphi, Limnes caves, Vitena and Dimitsana (1994-1995).

Poster exhibition organised by UNICEF (1989).

General Issue: Environmental protection

Issue-Topic: Coastal land-grabbing -coastal erosion

From: 1990 To: 1998 Range: Regional

Activities - Results:

Organisation of a scientific meeting in Kiato under the auspices of the prefectural authorities and the participation of

the Association of the Greek Municipalities and Communes concerning the protection of Korinthiakos gulf from erosion.

Lodging of complaints to the Public Prosecutor in relation to coastal land-grabbing issues.

Notification to the Kiato Tax Department in relation to the paving of a beach. Forwarding of letters to the Kiato

prefecture and Tax Department concerning the determination of the boundaries of the seashore.

Lodging of a complaint to the Urban Planning Offices against the illegal fencing of beaches as well as to the commune

offices against the illegal fencing of community roads.

GreeceIssue-Topic: Ecosystems pollution - public places

From: 1990 To: 1996 Range: Prefectural

Activities - Results:

Cleansing of the commune's public spaces.

Participation of the organisation's representatives in the Pan-Athenian demonstration against air pollution in Athens.

Lodging of complaints to the media and mobilization of municipalities and their associations after it was revealed that

a Ministerial Decision assigned (amongst others) the Korinthia prefecture to receive toxic and nuclear waste.

Lodging of an appeal to the D' Archaeological Department of Nafplio concerning the use of toxic pesticides.

Submission of a written complaint to the Pefkias commune regarding the cleansing of the area.

Issue-Topic: Ecosystems pollution - public places

From: 1990 To: 1996 Range: National

Activities - Results:

Lodging of an appeal to the Parliament by the relevant Minister in relation to the characterisation of pollution as a

'petty offence' rather than 'indictable offence' or 'felony' which was then remained.

Issue-Topic: Fauna

From: 1995 To: 1998 Range: Local

Activities - Results:

Rescue and transportation to the Bird Hospitalisation Centre in Salamina of an injured eagle.

Lodging of an appeal against an individual who was capturing and trading singing birds with illegal means.

Lodging of complaints in relation to illegal fishing.

Issue-Topic: Green areas - Forests

From: 1990 To: 1998 Range: Prefectural

Activities - Results:

Tree planting.

Lodging of complaints to the police department against the illegal forest reclamations.

Issue-Topic: Information - Sensitisation of the public

From: 1990 To: 1998 Range: Regional

Activities - Results:

Carrying out of lectures in all towns surrounding the Korinthiakos gulf with the view to highlight the need for the

establishment of local societies which will be engaged in the strengthening of 'Alkyon' federation.

Participation in media broadcasts and involvement in article writing activities including local, national, daily press and

magazines concerning environmental issues. Organisation of public meetings for the tackling of local environmental

Drafting and submission to the competent authorities of 2 consequent reports concerning the most important

environmental problems of the prefecture. Undertaking of lectures at local schools in relation to the environmental

Participation in a convention entitled 'Mediterranean SOS' as well as in a convention organised by the W.

Peloponnese Unit of the Technical Chamber of Greece and held in Rio (Patra).

Issue-Topic: Noise pollution

From: 1990 To: 1998 Range: Local

Activities - Results:

Interventions to the Port Authority concerning the tackling of noise pollution generated by high-speed vessels.

Interventions to the police and the traffic police in relation to the noise pollution caused by motorbikes.

Interventions to the police in relation to the noise pollution caused by night clubs.

Issue-Topic: Pollution (prevention and control)

From: 1994 To: 1998 Range: Prefectural

Activities - Results:

The Port Authority of Kiato was notified for the damage (and repair) occurred in the light-house.

Filling in an application and forwarding it to the Admiralty and the Port Authority, in relation to the upgrading of the

operation of the Kiato Port Authority Station.

Issue-Topic: Stimfalia wetland

The activity took place in 1994 Range: National

Activities - Results:

Forwarding of letters to the competent authorities of the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of the Environment in

relation to the incorporation of Stimfalia to the network of protected areas (EU programme, ENVIREG).

Issue-Topic: Urban planning - Development projects

From: 1990 To: 1998 Range: Regional

Activities - Results:

Submission of a proposal to the Diminio commune regarding the opening up of a channel that will direct rain water to

the sea. This will prevent the occurrence of floods.

Successful interventions made to the urban planning offices of Xilokastro in relation to the cancellation of illegal

earthworks in Klimentika area.

Submission of proposals to the 'Arion' developmental association and the Papagiani consultants, in relation to the

proposals for Structural Funds in Korinthia.

Issue-Topic: Water pollution

From: 1990 To: 1998 Range: International

Activities - Results:

Lodging of complaints to the media and the press and intervention during question-time in the Parliament against the

plans of Mamidaki and Vardinogiani companies to relocate fuel storage- tanks from Saronikos to Korintiakos gulf

Putting a question during question-time in the Parliament and letter forwarding to the prefecture in connection with

the issues of the pollution of the river and Korinthiakos gulf from olive oil-presses.

Making complaints to the Korinthiakos gulf developmental Association of Municipalities and Communes 'Arion' in

connection against the inappropriate operation of the waste treatment facilities.

Actions taken to tackle the 'red mud' problem (PECHINE factory). Lodging of an appeal to the European Council in

relation to the above issue as well as in relation to the olive oil presses' waste.

Issue-Topic: Water pollution

From: 1990 To: 1998 Range: Regional

Activities - Results:

Expression of an acute protest to the EU's Environment Commissioner Mr. G. Paleocrassas in connection with the

exertion of pressure from the European industrialists to exceed the chemical pollutants limits in drinking water.

Sending notification papers to residents, local community and the Public Prosecutor of Kato Diminio in relation to the

supply of undrinkable water from the main and community water supply network.

Information of the public through the local media and forwarding of complaint letters to the Korintiakos gulf

prefectures for the health risks stemming from the uncontrolled disposal of pesticides and toxic substanses.

Submission of recommendations regarding the enforcement of the law, through the media to the river polluting

Issue-Topic: Water pollution

From: 1990 To: 1998 Range: Prefectural

Activities - Results:

Lodging of a complaint to the General Navy Staff against pollution caused by the army fleet.

Interventions to the prefecture and the Admiralty in relation to the creation of waste collection area in the Korinthos

Canal. in collaboration with the local Port Authorities and with the utilization of rented boats, the organisation patrols

the gulf for potential boats that pollute the water.

Bringing 8 olive oil presses to the court due to river and Korinthaikos gulf pollution reasons. Filed checks, photograph

taking and lodging of charges.

Lodging of appeals against individuals in relation to pollution incidents in Pefkias. Lodging of a charge against the

president of Diminio council for showing of negligence in relation to the pollution of Elissonas river-bed.

III. Source of Information

Personal contacts, first hand information, citizen denunciations, scientific meetings, conferences.

Source of information: EN AITHRIA

Subject: Environmental issues.