Open meeting at the Vovousa Festival on the sustainable coexistence of people and bears in the Pindus Mountains
Subject: Open Meeting with the Local Society “Guardians of the Mountains: for the Sustainable Coexistence of Humans and Bears in the Pindus Mountains”
Date: Wednesday, 31 July 2024.
Time: 11:00 – 13:00
Venue.
Information: https://vovousafestival.gr/oramatismos/
“The Guardians of the Mountains: For the Sustainable Coexistence of Humans and Bears in the Pindus Mountains” will take place on Wednesday 31 July 2024 at 11:00 – 13:00, at the venue of the Vovoussa Festival. The workshop is organized by the Environmental Organization for Nature and Wildlife Callisto, in the framework of the European project Life Arcprom.
In the visioning workshop, participants will have the opportunity to collectively envision the future of the area and consider practices and activities that could be supported in the future to enhance the sustainability of the area and coexistence with the brown bear. Through participatory methods and open discussion, we will co-create scenarios for local sustainable development, taking into account the needs of the area and wildlife.
The workshop will be an occasion for further dialogue and joint action, as it aims to create a collective vision for a sustainable future for East Zagori, the brown bears and their ecosystem. Different scenarios will also be developed based on variables such as climate change, social desertification, economic development and conservation policies. There will be a discussion with participants on how each scenario will affect the bear population and their habitats, as well as local communities in Zagori.
East Zagori is the ideal place to explore the prospects of sustainable development and enhancing coexistence with the brown bear in Pindos and mountainous Greece in general. Although the social, economic and environmental changes of recent years have created many challenges for the daily life of the local community and for the protection of the natural environment, East Zagori, with its unique history, rich natural environment and diverse flora and fauna, offers a unique opportunity for the development and implementation of innovative approaches aimed at local and sustainable development.
In this context, how can we envision a different and more sustainable future, both for the people and the brown bears living in East Zagori? What are the challenges and opportunities for optimal brown bear conservation and enhancing local participation in decision-making? What tools and knowledge are needed in this direction?
It is noted that the 6th meeting of the “Local Communities-Bear Coexistence Platform” will be held the day before the workshop at the offices of the Management Unit in Aspragellos. The Platform is composed of representatives of local institutions, organizations and other stakeholders related to the presence of bears in the area.
The meeting will consider how we can better manage fruit trees in the National Park and how we can encourage the restoration of abandoned orchards and the planting of new orchards and fruit bushes. The National Platform for Large Carnivores will also be presented and opportunities for synergies and collaboration with local and regional bodies will be explored.