Erimitis is not for sale

The ecosystem of Erimitis is situated on the north-east coast of the island of Corfu. It covers an area of approximately 500 stremmas of woodland with rich fauna and flora, includes lakes and beaches and is the habitat of lutra-lutra (otter) as well as a stopover site of rare migratory birds.
Successive local governments of the Ionian Islands as well as Corfu Town Councils have passed resolutions, stating that the eco system of Erimitis can only be transformed into an ecο park and sustain its natural beauty and biodiversity. Nevertheless, all Greek governments of the memorandum years, ignoring the above resolutions, decided to grant a 99 year lease of the place to foreign investors. The plan is to “develop” the area by exploiting approximately 180 stremmas of its surface, 36,5 of which will be covered with buildings and the rest will be used for the construction of a port and tourist facilities, which will change the microclimate and will affect the fauna and flora of the ecosystem.

Furthermore, the region is very close to the Greek- Albanian borders and there is a navy outpost within the area to be granted. Although the site of the outpost was very carefully selected for strategic reasons, NCH Capital, the prospective developers, preferred this site for the construction of a hotel and had the navy outpost moved to an unsuitable site.

What is more, in October 2018,   Hellenic Republic Asset Development Fund changed the initial contract and made a sale agreement for plots  of the area for 2,000.000 euros  in order  that a real estate project will be realized.
By no means will we accept the destruction of the ecosystem!  Last week the association Erimitis Plus and Corfu Environmental Protection Association appealed to European Commission demanding that   the Greek State will suspend the leasing of the area to   NCH Capital, on the grounds that the prospective development will destroy the ecosystem and  biodiversity of this virgin landscape.
Erimitis is an attraction for tourists who love nature and is offered for hiking, horse riding, swimming and sailing. The visitors of Erimitis stay in local hotels and villas, dine in local restaurants and do the shopping in small local shops. If it is turned into a large tourist complex, local economy will wither since everything will be offered on premises. Therefore, claims that the development of Erimitis will bring gains to local economy are disputable.

We, the people of the island of Corfu, want this place of outstanding natural beauty to be heritage of the next generations as it has been heritage to us from our forefathers.
 
Vera Koronaki,
President of Corfu Environmental Protection Association