Attica has lost 70% of its forests, expert says
Greece’s most populous region, Attica, has lost nearly 70% of its forests over the past 25 years, according to Professor Efthymios Lekkas, a leading geologist and head of the Earthquake Planning and Protection Organization.
Speaking to ERT, the state broadcaster, Professor Lekkas issued a stark warning: “We do not have the luxury of losing a single tree from Attica.” His remarks come as Greece enters the peak of its fire season, with dry conditions and high temperatures already raising alarm.
The expert highlighted a dangerous cycle of drought, wildfires, and floods, stressing that soil degradation and poor forest management further intensify the crisis. “These phenomena are interrelated,” he said. “Drought leads to forest fires. After the fires, heavy rain brings floods and landslides.”
Lekkas also raised concerns over fungal infestations destroying key tree species across Greece. “In Northern Greece, we are seeing serious infestations in plane trees and firs,” he said, citing Karditsa as a region with particularly severe cases.
Despite the grim outlook, there are signs of hope. Mount Hymettus, bordering Athens, was praised as a model for fire prevention, thanks to the coordinated efforts of the Association of Municipalities of Hymettus, which utilizes volunteers, technology, and structured planning to protect the forest.
