A major milestone for nature conservation in Western Macedonia was reached with the publication, on 4 June 2026, of the Ministerial Decision of the Ministry of Environment and Energy, which officially designates the Vernon–Vitsi mountain range as a Protected Landscape.
This designation was further strengthened on 29 June 2026 with a second Ministerial Decision and the publication of the corresponding Government Gazette, which establishes the specific protection measures, land-use regulations, and permitted activities within the protected area, creating a clear and comprehensive framework for its long-term management and conservation.
The new protection status covers extensive areas within the municipalities of Kastoria, Florina, and Amyntaio. The mountain range is divided into five management zones, designed to safeguard biodiversity, forest ecosystems, distinctive geological features, and the area’s exceptional scenic, cultural, and historical values, while also supporting and enhancing sustainable human activities, particularly within the primary production sector.
The scientific study underpinning the designation was prepared by members and researchers of the environmental organisation Callisto, in collaboration with two environmental consultants from Amyntaio and Florina, providing the scientific basis for the area’s formal legal protection.
Particular significance is attached to the provisions of the second Government Gazette concerning permitted land uses, especially those relating to large-scale development projects. The new regulatory framework affects all environmental permitting procedures currently underway within the protected landscape. Projects that have not yet completed the environmental licensing process must now be reassessed in accordance with the new protection regime and the restrictions it introduces.
At the same time, projects that have already received environmental approval are also affected by the change in legal status. The new protection framework creates additional considerations that the competent administrative authorities must take into account through the applicable legal procedures, ensuring that the integrity of the Protected Landscape is fully safeguarded.
The Ministry’s decision represents a significant institutional achievement for Western Macedonia. It establishes a coherent framework for protecting a mountain landscape of outstanding ecological, scientific, cultural, and historical importance, while ensuring that future development is planned in a manner that respects the natural environment, preserves the area’s unique character, and adheres to the principles of sustainable development.
The protection of the Vernon–Vitsi mountain range marks an important victory for nature, local communities, and future generations. It reaffirms that safeguarding Greece’s natural heritage should remain a central pillar of national strategy for the conservation of biodiversity and the sustainable management of natural resources.
Photo Credits: Lazaros Kotsios
