SOCIETY FOR THE PROTECTION OF THE LANDSCAPE AND ENVIRONMENT OF RIO (ex SOCIETY FOR THE PROTECTION OF THE LANDSCAPE AND ENVIRONMENT OF NORTHEASTERN COMMUNITIES IN THE PROVINCE OF PATRAS

REGION WESTERN GREECE

Prefecture ACHAIA

SOCIETY FOR THE PROTECTION OF THE LANDSCAPE AND ENVIRONMENT OF

RIO (ex SOCIETY FOR THE PROTECTION OF THE LANDSCAPE AND

ENVIRONMENT OF NORTHEASTERN COMMUNITIES IN THE PROVINCE OF PATRAS

Date of Initial Completion: 28/6/1996 1st Update: 18/2/1998 2nd Update (CHAP.I): 20/12/1999

Date of Last Update: 2/3/2001

e_mail: chback@cti.gr

I. Identity of Organisation

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

Pan-Hellenic Network of Ecological organizations

Address

PATRA (RIO) Postal Code 265 00 Street: 35, AGIOU GEORGIOU STR.

Tel. 2610-994362 Fax 2610-994362

Contact Persons: MARIA SAVVA - FOTINOU, IOANNIS TSOGAS Tel. 6972 705302, 2610-993189

Legal Status

The Organisation is Association - Union since 1988

Aims

Protecting the landscape and the environment from offensive or any kind of activities and exploiting them as

centers which offer health, comfort and beauty / repairing the damages done in the regional area

Sensitizing the citizens of the region on subjects o environmental and local protection and promoting the cultural

Members and Friends

With voting right: 389 of whom have paid their membership fee: 225

Material Substructure

Office: Rented, Operating days: Every Monday and Wednesday, Operating hours: 18.30-20.30

The organisation has access to personal computer and it is mainly uses it for Classification of documents

There are databases in Paper its morph and structure is Incomes-outcomes / book with applications (gradually

an electronic file is formed)

Activities Hall: Almost 50-250 individuals

Performance material: They rent a room according to their needs

Administrative board

Fotinou Maria President

Belas Christos Vice President

Charalabopoulos Dimosthenis General Secretary

Tsogas Giannis Secretary B'

Michalos Athanasios Secretary B'

Marazi Vasiliki Treasurer

II. Activities

General Issue: Conservation, protection and restoration of landscape

Issue-Topic: Urban interventions - Development projects

From: 1993 To: 1998 Range: Prefectural

Activities - Results:

Putting forward an application in relation to the sitting of the Technological Park within the Industrial zone area with

the view of protecting Platanion area, following the mobilisation of community representatives and citizens.

Information of the public through the distribution of leaflets and calls to the media.

Symbolic closure of the National Road and planting activities in the place where the Park would have been located.

Participation of local scientists in the Commission set to oversee the illegal building up activities in the area.

General Issue: Conservation, protection and restoration of the environment.

Issue-Topic: Wild fauna - pets

From: 1990 To: 1998 Range: National

Activities - Results:

Lodging of charges to the competent Ministries in relation to the transportation and the unacceptable living

conditions of horses in Italian sausage producing factories. British and French environmental NGOs co-operated on

Provision of care to stray animals.

Lodging of complaints to the media in relation to the illegal hunting and the prolongation of the hunting period.

spirit. General Issue: Cultural regeneration

Issue-Topic: Organization of various events

From: 1990 To: 1998 Range: Local

Activities - Results:

Organisation of speeches, video, voluntary blood donation, distribution of printed material in relation to quality of life

Organisation of music concerts, puppet shows, Greek dancing festivals, theatrical plays e.t.c.

Organisation of excursions with ecological scope and character.

General Issue: Information and sensitisation of the public

Issue-Topic: Political intervention

From: 1997 To: 1998 Range: National

Activities - Results:

The view of the organisation in relation to the 'Ioannis Kapodistrias' legislative proposal on the merging of local

authorities is favourable since it will allow for the creation of the necessary 'environmental space'.

General Issue: Information-Sensitisation of the public

Issue-Topic: Environmental education

From: 1988 To: 1998 Range: Local

Activities - Results:

Organisation of a÷ running contest in order to promote environmental awareness/Setting up a team of pupils and

friends in order to safeguard the local environment.

Screening of a film about the sea pollution in Rio channel in schools

Yearly organisation of a painting exhibition with environmental focus.

Organisation of events with the view of sensitising the public on environmental issues.

Issue-Topic: Town and country environment

The activity took place in 1997 Range: Local

Activities - Results:

Despite the rigorous actions taken by the Organisation, the construction of the casino in Rio was not cancelled.

General Issue: Landscape conservation, protection and restoration

Issue-Topic: Industrial pollution

From: 1989 To: 1998 Range: Prefectural

Activities - Results:

Lodging appeals to the competent authorities - local demonstrations against the removal of an explosives production

factory in Platani. The factory did not follow the regulations regarding its operation in proximity with residential areas.

Lodging of appeals to the competent authorities against the extension and in favour of the removal of HRALKIS and

TEXACO plants.

Issue-Topic: Urban planning interventions and development projects

The activity took place in 1995 Range: Local

Activities - Results:

Participation with a residents committee in the lodging of complaints to the press and the prefecture with the view of

stopping the cement-laying works on a seaside road in Arachovitika

Lodging of complaints to the press and the competent authorities and submission of proposals for the amelioration of

transport and the tree-planting of the area with a view of stopping the parking extension of Rio University Hospital

General Issue: Protection, conservation and restoration of the landscape

Issue-Topic: Green areas, forests

From: 1990 To: 1998 Range: Local

Activities - Results:

Organisation of tree planting schemes in co-operation with schools, the Forestry.

Exertion of pressure for the watering of perennial plane-trees, tree pruning and protests against the cutting of a

perennial plane tree.

Taking pictures of the Kato Kastritsi forest in order to monitor the land-grabbing actions. Protests and lodging of

complaints to the competent authorities.

Cleaning of trees from posters and stick up bills and demonstrations outside the community offices for the creation of

the appropriate rented space for the placing of advertising posters.

Issue-Topic: Noise pollution, traffic

From: 1990 To: 1998 Range: Local

Activities - Results:

Protests by the residents - complaints to the police, the traffic police, the Health Department and the community

authorities for the tackling of noise pollution caused from night clubs and vehicles

Distribution of printed material to the passing by vehicles.

Lodging of complaints to the press and the competent authorities.

Issue-Topic: Pollution of coasts

From: 1990 To: 1998 Range: Local

Activities - Results:

Organisation of regular cleansing of coasts from teams of pupils.

Press releases.

Lodging of complaints to the communes. Exertion of pressure to the competent authority concerning the expression

of factual respect to the conservation of the castle at the lagoon and to the cleaningness of the surrounding area.

In 1997, our organisation funded with 70,000 drhs the Health Laboratory of Patra University in order to ameliorate

the quality of bathing water.

Issue-Topic: Urban planning issues - development projects

From: 1993 To: 1998 Range: Prefectural

Activities - Results:

Submission of studies to the Ministry of the Environment, the Prefecture and the EU's General Directorate for the

Environment (DG XI) in relation to the road connection of Rio with Antirio and the type of the bridge to be constructed

in order to minimise the negative environmental and landscape impacts.

Carrying out of informational gatherings, protests, distribution of leaflets and demonstrations to the Prefecture in

relation to the same issue.

Undertaking of personal contacts with members of agencies and societies with the view of developing a common

resistance against the sitting and operation of a casino in the area for environmental, social and economic issues.

Information of the public and petition undertaking.

Issue-Topic: Water pollution

From: 1990 To: 1998 Range: Prefectural

Activities - Results:

Carrying out of drinking water quality checks. Lodging of complaints to the Health authorities.

Lodging of complaints in relation to the pollution of the sea caused by the hotels and coastal clubs' waste. A hotelier

was arrested on the spot.

Lodging of charges to the Port Authority, the Health Department and the Prefecture in relation to the pollution of the

sea from vessels that do not adhere to the relevant regulations on waste treatment.

Observation on the spot, location and prosecution of individuals that illegally emptied the cesspools of their houses

to rain-water pipes.

Issue-Topic: Water pollution

From: 1990 To: 1998 Range: Prefectural

Activities - Results:

Lodging of complaints to the press and the prefectural authorities against the prohibition of rubbish dumping to river

beds by various communities.

Expression of protests and exertion of pressure in relation to the pollution caused by the Ag. Patra underwater pipe.

Controlling the waste treatment operations of factories and hotels.

Lodging of complaints to the urban planning offices, the Public Land-Use Authority, the legal functionaries, the press

and the media in relation to the land-grabbing of the seashore.

Future Plans

General Issue: Preserving, protecting and restoring the landscape-environment

Issue - Topic: Urban planning interventions-development works

Range Perfectural

Future Activities:

Appeal to justice jointly with the community on the case of a human settlement spatial planning at the region Prosfygika

Issue - Topic: Urban planning interventions

Range Perfectural

Future Activities:

Activities, refugees in justice, complaints, toogether with the community for land grabbing, illegal fencing enclosure

Issue - Topic: Industrial pollution

Range Perfectural

Future Activities:

Standing by in order to prevent AGET - Heracles and Texaco expansion and to send them away

Issue - Topic: Noise pollution - traffic

Range Perfectural

Future Activities:

Continuation of complaints, individual protests against the Traffic Police and the Health Department

III. Source of Information

Achaica Chronika, Prin Agoraso, Zakinthini Enimerosi, Kastelokampos, Arhelon, Oionos, Anakiklosi, Anagastikes

Prosgeioseis, Amphibion, Ethelontismos, Gnomi, EKVY, Greenpeace, Personal member perceptions and citizen

denunciations, conferences, etc.

Source of information: EN AITHRIA

Subject: General Issues

Time period Frequency Initiative Satisfaction level

1/1990-7/1996 Every month Common Perfect

Source of information: New Ecology

Subject: General issues.

Time period Frequency Initiative Satisfaction level

1/1994-7/1996 Every 3 months. Theirs Perfect

Source of information: Network "Mesogeios S.O.S."

Subject: General issues.

Time period Frequency Initiative Satisfaction level

1/1994-7/1996 Every 3 months. Theirs High

Source of information: Hellenic Society for the Protection of Nature.

Subject: Issues regarding the marine environment.

Time period Frequency Initiative Satisfaction level

1/1995-12/1995 2-3 times. Theirs High

Source of information: Environmental Education.

Time period Frequency Initiative Satisfaction level

1/1994-7/1996 Every 2 months. Theirs Perfect

Source of information: Nature and Ecology (FISI KAI OIKOLOGIA)

Subject: General issues.

Time period Frequency Initiative Satisfaction level

1/1994-7/1996 4 times a year. Theirs Perfect

Source of information: Ecological Association of Corfu

Time period Frequency Initiative Satisfaction level

1/1995-7/1996 Every 2 months Theirs Perfect

Source of information: Environmental Protection Society of Corfu

Time period Frequency Initiative Satisfaction level

1/1995-7/1996 Every 2 months Theirs Perfect

Source of information: Arktouros.

Time period Frequency Initiative Satisfaction level

1/1995-7/1996 Every 2 months. Theirs Perfect

Source of information: Law and Nature (NOMOS KAI FISI)

Subject: Legal issues.

Time period Frequency Initiative Satisfaction level

1/1994-7/1996 Every 6 months. Theirs Perfect

IV. Relations with the Press

The Athenian press is not interested with the important problems of the periphery.

Title: PELOPONNISOS

Subject: NGO's activities

Type Circulation Time Period Frequency Initiative Satisfaction Level

Newspaper Local 1/1988-7/1996 very often, sometimes even 2- Common Perfect

Title: GEGONOTA

Subject: NGO's activities

Type Circulation Time Period Frequency Initiative Satisfaction Level

Newspaper Local 1/1988-7/1996 frequently Common Perfect

Title: IMERA

Subject: NGO's activities

Type Circulation Time Period Frequency Initiative Satisfaction Level

Newspaper Local 1/1988-7/1996 frequently Common Perfect

Title: ALLAGI

Subject: NGO's activities

Type Circulation Time Period Frequency Initiative Satisfaction Level

Newspaper Local 1/1988-7/1996 frequently Common Perfect

Title: KIRIKAS ETHN.

Subject: NGO's activities

Type Circulation Time Period Frequency Initiative Satisfaction Level

Newspaper Local 1/1988-7/1996 frequently Common Perfect

Title: KIRIKAS IMER.

Subject: NGO's activities

Type Circulation Time Period Frequency Initiative Satisfaction Level

Newspaper Local 1/1988-7/1996 frequently Common Perfect

Title: GNOMI

Subject: NGO's activities

Type Circulation Time Period Frequency Initiative Satisfaction Level

Newspaper Local 1/1988-7/1996 frequently Common Perfect

Title: EN AITHRIA

Subject: NGO's activities

Type Circulation Time Period Frequency Initiative Satisfaction Level

Newspaper Local 1/1988-7/1996 frequently Common Perfect

Title: ELEYTHEROTIPIA

Subject: rubbish dump of Atio Vasileio

Type Circulation Time Period Frequency Initiative Satisfaction Level

Newspaper National 1/1988-7/1996 1-2 times per year Common Perfect

Title: TO VIMA

Subject: casino

Type Circulation Time Period Frequency Initiative Satisfaction Level

Newspaper National 1/1988-7/1996 1-2 times per year Theirs Perfect

Title: OIKONOMIKOS TACHIDROMOS

Subject: technological park- bridge uniting Rio and Antirrio

Type Circulation Time Period Frequency Initiative Satisfaction Level

Magazine National 1/1988-7/1996 1-2 times per year Theirs Perfect

V. Relations with Mass Media

The Athenian mass media is not interested in rural problems of importance.

Title: SUPER B

Subject: Depending on each occasion

Type Rang Time Period Frequency Initiative Satisfaction level

T.V. Local 1/1991-7/1996 frequently Common Perfect

Title: ACHAIA CHANNEL

Subject: Depending on each occasion

Type Rang Time Period Frequency Initiative Satisfaction level

T.V. Local 1/1991-7/1996 frequently Common Perfect

Title: PATRA TV

Subject: Depending on each occasion

Type Rang Time Period Frequency Initiative Satisfaction level

T.V. Local 1/1991-7/1996 frequently Common Perfect

Title: TELE TIME

Subject: Depending on each occasionv

Type Rang Time Period Frequency Initiative Satisfaction level

T.V. Local 1/1991-7/1996 frequently Common Perfect

Title: RADIO 1

Subject: Depending on each occasion

Type Rang Time Period Frequency Initiative Satisfaction level

Radio Local 1/1991-7/1996 frequently Common Perfect

Title: ERA 1

Subject: Depending on each occasion

Type Rang Time Period Frequency Initiative Satisfaction level

Radio Local 1/1991-7/1996 frequently Common Perfect

Title: MAX FM

Subject: Depending on each occasion

Type Rang Time Period Frequency Initiative Satisfaction level

Radio Local 1/1991-7/1996 frequently Common Perfect

Title: ANTENNA 97,1 FM

Subject: Depending on each occasion

Type Rang Time Period Frequency Initiative Satisfaction level

Radio Local 1/1991-7/1996 frequently Common Perfect

Title: RADIO GAMMA

Subject: Depending on each occasion

Type Rang Time Period Frequency Initiative Satisfaction level

Radio Local 1/1991-7/1996 frequently Common Perfect

VI. Relations with others ENGO

Name: Ecological Movement of Patra

Subject: Participation in carriers committee fro Kazino, Co-organising demonstrations-excursions to Stymfalia

Nativity Time period Initiative Satisfaction level

Yes 1/1991-7/1996 Common Very High

Name: Association for the Quality of Life

Subject: Informing

Nativity Time period Initiative Satisfaction level

No 1/1993-7/1996 Common Very High

Name: Greenpeace

Subject: Ecological Issues

Nativity Time period Initiative Satisfaction level

No 1/1988-7/1996 Ours Very High

Name: Association of Achaia for animal concern

Subject: Animal protection- nursing

Nativity Time period Initiative Satisfaction level

Yes 1/1995-7/1996 Common Very High

Name: Hellenic Ornithological Society(branch of Patra)

Subject: Information about fauna

Nativity Time period Initiative Satisfaction level

Yes 1/1991-7/1996 Common Very High

Future plans

Collaboration with: Federation "Alkion",K.O.P.E.A. and the Citizens' Movement for Ecology and the Environment.

VII. Relations with Public and Private Bodies

Availability of communication – Open to all the institutions for the resolution of environmental problems

Name: Movement-suggestion

Subject: Committee of carries-Kazino