Environment Minister inspects anti-flood and anti-erosion works in Evros
Greek Minister of Environment and Energy, Stavros Papastavrou, conducted an on-site inspection of anti-erosion and anti-flood infrastructure projects in the Dadia Forest area of Evros, Northern Greece.
He was accompanied by key officials including Panagiotis Stamboulidis (Executive Member of the HCAP), Stathis Stathopoulos (Secretary General of Forests), Evangelos Gkountoufas (General Director of Forests), Petros Anthopoulos (Director of Forests of Evros), and Giorgos Pistolas (Head Forester of Evros), as well as Anna Konstantinidou, Head of the Dadia National Park Unit of the Natural Environment & Climate Change Organization (OFYPEKA).
During his visit, Minister Papastavrou also held meetings with Metropolitan Anthimos of Alexandroupolis, the Regional Governor of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace Christodoulos Topsidis, and Mayor of Alexandroupolis Yiannis Zampoukis.
Rapid Response After Wildfires
The Minister conducted inspections at:
- Anti-erosion works in Palagia
- Flood protection in the Vanikiotis stream catchment area in Alexandroupolis
- Firebreak zones in the surrounding forest region
He highlighted that 18 technical studies for erosion control were drafted and approved within a month following the August 2023 wildfires, with a total budget of €800,000. Most of these projects have been funded through the Recovery and Resilience Fund (RRF).
Since 2022, over €24 million has been invested in wildfire protection projects in the Evros regional unit, covering more than 90,000 hectares. Combined restoration and resilience efforts across Evros and Rodopi now exceed €86 million.
Ministerial Statement
Speaking from the Kirkis Mountains, an area heavily affected by wildfires two years ago, Minister Papastavrou said:
“We are implementing a comprehensive program of erosion control, flood prevention, reforestation, and wildlife protection with speed, consistency, and efficiency. Our goal is not only recovery, but resilience—supporting local communities and ecosystems with more than €85 million in interventions. The State remains present and committed, in collaboration with citizens and private contractors. We are healing the wounds of the past and preparing for a safer future.”
He also urged citizens to remain alert during the wildfire season and thanked all those working tirelessly on the ground.
“Alexandroupolis Is an Energy Hub”
Later, Minister Papastavrou participated in a panel at a conference organized by Eleftheros Typos, titled “Eastern Macedonia and Thrace: The EU’s Largest Energy Crossroads—Goals, Challenges, and Investments.”
Highlighting recent developments in energy and environmental strategy, he emphasized that Alexandroupolis is emerging as a critical energy node for Greece:
“The region hosts two natural gas plants—one operational and one under construction. A second interconnection cable with Bulgaria increases capacity to over 1 GW, enabling us to export energy. Alongside wind farms and carbon storage operations in Prinos, Alexandroupolis can rightfully be considered an energy lung for our nation.”
