The Greek government has officially designated the mountainous Prespa region in northwestern Greece as an “Untrodden Mountain,” aiming to strengthen environmental protection in one of the Balkans’ most ecologically sensitive areas, the Ministry of Environment and Energy announced, according to ekathimerini.com.
Much of the region lies within two Natura 2000 protected zones and is considered a crucial natural landscape of wetlands and forests that sustain rich biodiversity. Under the new status, strict safeguards will apply, including a ban on new road construction and artificial surfaces, measures intended to prevent ecosystem fragmentation-one of the primary drivers of biodiversity decline.
Prespa is widely recognized as a biodiversity hotspot, home to rare plant species and important wildlife populations such as brown bears, wolves, and wild goats. Its lakes provide essential refuge for uncommon waterfowl and shorebirds.
“Prespes is a biodiversity treasure and a unique ecosystem that we must safeguard responsibly,” Environment and Energy Minister Stavros Papastavrou said. “We protect our nature as a living legacy for future generations.”
“Untrodden Mountains” are defined as Roadless Areas (RAs) along with a one-kilometer buffer zone. Within these high-protection zones, the construction of new motor vehicle roads and other interventions that could alter the natural landscape are strictly forbidden.
The designation will remain in force while a Special Environmental Study is finalized and presidential decrees establish permanent land-use regulations.
The initiative, launched at COP26, has gradually expanded to include several major mountain ranges across Greece, with Prespa now among the most recent additions.
Source: ekathimerini.com
