Greece has significantly expanded its environmental protection network by designating the mountainous region of Prespa as an “Untrodden Mountain” (Apatiato Vouno).
This ministerial decree, signed by Minister of Environment and Energy Stavros Papastavrou, places one of the Balkans’ most vital ecosystems under a strict conservation “shield.”
The move effectively freezes land-use changes and halts the construction of new roads in the area. These measures are designed to stop habitat fragmentation—a primary driver of biodiversity loss—and protect the region’s diverse inhabitants, including the brown bear, wolf, and wild goat, as well as the rare waterbirds that depend on the Prespa lakes. Minister Stavros Papastavrou emphasized that this is a move from rhetoric to tangible action:
“The designation of the wider Prespa mountain range as an ‘Untrodden Mountain’ clearly reaffirms our unwavering commitment to the substantial protection of our country’s natural wealth. Prespa is a biodiversity treasure, an ecosystem of unique value that we have a duty to preserve with consistency and responsibility.
We are not limiting ourselves to mere proclamations; we are moving forward with specific institutional interventions that leave a long-term environmental footprint. This decision strengthens the conservation framework for an area of international significance and aligns perfectly with the principles of sustainable development. We are protecting our nature as a living legacy for future generations.”
The “Untrodden Mountains” initiative
The “Untrodden Mountains” status is a pioneering Greek legislative tool that protects “virgin” mountain massifs from the encroachment of artificial surfaces and infrastructure. Prespa now joins an elite list of protected peaks, including:
- Mount Parnon
- Stroggoula Peak (Athamanika Mountains)
- Smolikas and Tymfi (Northern Pindos National Park)
- Mount Chatzi (Thessaly)
This policy is part of a broader 2026 environmental strategy that also includes recent bans on bottom trawling in the Fourni Korseon island complex and new fishing restrictions in Amorgos, positioning Greece as a regional leader in Mediterranean conservation.
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