THE BOARD MEETED WITH THE DEPUTY DISTRICT

The Association of Tourist Agents calls for safe access to the Kourtaliotis gorge

The Board of Directors of the Association of Tourist Agents of Rethymno visited the Deputy Governor of Rethymno and Lioni Mary to be informed about the results of the recent meeting they had together with the mayor of Agios Vassiliou Mr. Tatarakis at the competent Ministry with the Minister Mr. Skylakakis for Kourtaliotis.

As they emphasize in their statement, "they were informed about the results of the meeting which highlighted the new need to protect and highlight the unique natural monument of Southern Crete from excessive traffic, the risk of deterioration, and the risk of its destruction by fire."

We declared our intention to intervene in all the competent bodies and the central state and to be helpful in the efforts of the bodies to save and promote Kourtaliotis and the wider region.

We believe that in addition to OFYPEKA, the Municipality of Agios Vassiliou and the Rethymnon District must have a dominant say in the management body that is being sought to be created. We thank Mrs. Lioni for accepting the request and informing us."

In a threat delivered to the vice-regent of Rethymno by the Association of Tourist Agents of Rethymno, it is stated: "In 2022 Our Association, with its letter and photos to the local and Athenian media in June 2022, highlighted the then uncontrolled pioneering situation that prevailed in Phoenician. exposure to fire and the complete absence of fire prevention and extinguishing means.

Panic followed in the media and in the services, questions in the parliament and the time of the responsible minister Amyra in a meeting in Spili Rethymno about the future and the great protection of the ecosystem.

At the meeting, the full protection of Kourtaliotis, under the responsibility of OFYPEKA, the control of the numbers of incoming visitors, the creation of safe routes from start to finish as well as the escape exits and the creation of an effective firefighting system in the Palm Forest.

Since then (more than 2 years), there has been no result other than the cleaning of the Palm Forest and no action regarding safe access to the sources and protection of the ecosystem.

We were pleased to read recently about the meeting between Ms. Lionis and Mr. Tatarakis with the responsible minister for Kourtaliotis, but we fear that the steps taken are disproportionate to what is required.

Our Association would like to state the following:

• He believes in the protection of the area of ​​the river's sources and the beach with the IMMEDIATE preparation of the corresponding plan and declares himself a supporter of government action to protect the area
• It calls for the creation of conditions for safe access to the sources and crossing of the river by creating a path, entrance, escape exits and control of the entrants, either with a return ticket or without.
• We are of the opinion that the protection of the area will be more effective only with controlled entry, than with the current uncontrolled situation.
• Removal of all dangerous, unsightly but also many arbitrary constructions, pipes, betovers, etc. around the springs, the river and the beach.
• Effective fire extinguishing system.
• Funding from the Central State but also from the Region, which in many cases, easily finances projects of minor importance (eg floating jetties in Balos), but in the case of Kourtaliotis, it has not shown a similar interest in funding.
• Meeting and discussion DIRECTLY of all involved bodies and citizens, information on the current situation, where we are, WHERE we want to go.
• Coordination of actions and effective pressure on decision centers

Our Association remains at the disposal of citizens and organizations for the effective protection of the area, which will ultimately be the legacy for our children."