Ecolnet Case Study :: National Park of Dadia - Lefkimi - Soufli Forest
Country
GREECE
Contact Details
http://www.dadia-np.gr/
Keywords
nature park, conservation, local community, development, ecotourism
Case Description
The National Park of Dadia Forest in one of the most important protected areas of Greece with particular significance for European raptors. The designation of the protected area as a national park took place only in 2006, although conservation and protection efforts started since 1987. With support from WWF-Greece an information centre has been established within the park, ecotourism activities are organised and womens cooperatives have been encouraged to promote local culture and products.Through these initiatives and the postive impact of the establishment of the Nature Park the local population has adopted the idea that protecting the unique nature of the area is a necessary condition for community development.
Despite continuing negotiations over its status and management, it appears to be a commendable model for conservation and eco-tourism development.
About 200 visitors per day pass through the Ecotourist center (run by the municipality and WWF Greece), which has informative bilingual displays and a video about the forest, the wildlife and the efforts to protect the local nature.
Despite continuing negotiations over its status and management, it appears to be a commendable model for conservation and eco-tourism development.
About 200 visitors per day pass through the Ecotourist center (run by the municipality and WWF Greece), which has informative bilingual displays and a video about the forest, the wildlife and the efforts to protect the local nature.
Best Practices
1
Criterion 1 B.2. Local Employment
Description
Description
A feeding place for the rapror species of the Dadia forest and an observatory for watching them was consturcted. The feeding place and the observatory have been the origin of both an ecotouristm development initiative and of one of the longest bird monitoring programmes in Greece. In order to support the increasing number of visitors a visitor centre and a small hostel was built. In all these developments local people have been employed.
The local population which mainly lives from logging, livestock breeding and agriculture nowadays supplement their income with tourism and have gradually adopted the idea that by protecting this unique nature they safeguard the development of their community. The village of Dadia is one of the few exceptions in Greek rural areas: the new employment opportunities prevented the population from leaving, and the nursery and primary schools still have crowded classrooms.
The local population which mainly lives from logging, livestock breeding and agriculture nowadays supplement their income with tourism and have gradually adopted the idea that by protecting this unique nature they safeguard the development of their community. The village of Dadia is one of the few exceptions in Greek rural areas: the new employment opportunities prevented the population from leaving, and the nursery and primary schools still have crowded classrooms.
2
Criterion 1 B.1. Community Development
Description
Description
WWF Greece, in cooperation with the local authorities, supported the organization and planning of the local ecotourism development as well as the training and empowerment of the local people involved in ecotourism and conservation activities. A municipal enterprise has been set up to run the hostel, a cafeteria and the guided tours to the observatory of raptors. WWF-Greece also funded the construction and running of the Park Information Centre for 10 years, after which its management was transferred to the National Park Management Authority. In parallel, the first women´s association of the region was created, which has been very active in the promotion of traditional products.
The women cooperatives benefits local women both in terms of a supplementary income and personal satisfaction.The income generated by the activities of the cooperative represents an important addittion to the family income as without leaving home or changing their traditional family roles as caregivers, the women of Evros found a pleasant occupation to combine work and housekeeping tasks.
The women cooperatives benefits local women both in terms of a supplementary income and personal satisfaction.The income generated by the activities of the cooperative represents an important addittion to the family income as without leaving home or changing their traditional family roles as caregivers, the women of Evros found a pleasant occupation to combine work and housekeeping tasks.