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Initiative

Bat conservation plan in the area of Panagopoula Tunnels

Bat conservation plan in the area of Panagopoula Tunnels
SUBMITTED FROM:

OLYMPIA ODOS S.A.

The Olympic Odos is an important national project of strategic importance for the development of the Peloponnese, Western Greece and Epirus. Olympia Odos S.A. was established in 2008 by six construction companies as a special purpose company to implement the Concession Contract of the Elefsina - Corinth - Patras - Patras - Pyrgos - Tsakona Motorway. As Concessionaire of the Project, it is responsible for the design, construction, financing, maintenance and operation of the motorway for a period of 30 years. The companies participating in the joint stock company have extensive experience in the design and implementation of similar large-scale projects, both in Greece and abroad. Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)



Objective Action

The area of Panagopoula Tunnels is among those where the LIFE-Nature project “Greek Caves and Bats: Management Actions and Change of Attitude” abbreviated as LIFE GRECABAT [LIFE17 NAT/GR/000522] is implemented.

The project is particularly important since it aims at:

- raising public awareness on cave fauna;

- implementing new monitoring systems;

- promoting the integrated management of caves, and

- informing and training of the social partners.

This specific initiative aims at protecting the biodiversity on the motorways of our jurisdiction, while it is the first pan Hellenic effort regarding the integrated management, protection and promotion of bats, caves and cave life, and it aspires at becoming an integrated management example at national level.

 

Target Audience

General public, scientific community, local communities (schools), social partners (State services, Local Authorities, speleological association, land owners, etc.), employees, subcontractors and associates, users of the Motorway. 

 

Duration

The project will last for 4.5 years (01.09.2018 - 28.02.2023).


Description

Two years ago, Olympia Odos supported the rationale and the actions of a proposed EU LIFE- Nature project which, among others, included measures for the conservation of bat colonies also in the drainage tunnels within the boundaries of the

project. The proposal was approved and the LIFE Nature project “Greek Caves and Bats: Management Actions and Change of Attitude” abbreviated as LIFE GRECABAT [LIFE17 NAT/GR/000522] was launched in September 2018.

In September 2018, the area of Panagopoula Tunnels crossed by the Motorway, became part of the NATURA 2000 sites network because it hosts six (6) rare species of bats, three out of which have established important populations there. The bat colonies are established in some drainage tunnels (galleries) constructed to prevent soil erosion that end up in bypassing dangerous goods along the old alignment of the road.

Olympia Odos is one of the few large structures in Greece and the only motorway where wildlife species find refuge in a man-made structure.

This specific initiative reflects in the best possible way our vision and approach of the protection of the environment, the promotion and protection of biodiversity which form integral part of our environmental responsibility and our sustainable development strategy.


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Impact on Society

According to the bat colonies population monitoring plan, their population seams to increase, and this is also due to the protection program that is implemented.  The scientific community will assess the overall results upon the end of the program.

Relevantly, general public awareness raising campaigns are ongoing while one-day events and information campaigns of the involved social partners are organized.



Initiative Location

NATURA 2000 sites network, Panagopoula Tunnels, Achaia


Working with Organization

The Helmos- Vouraikos Management Body, with registered office at Kalavryta, Prefecture of Achaia, is a Legal Entity of Private Law and a body established in 1999, the jurisdiction of which was recently enlarged pursuant to Law 4519/2018 to include also the area of Panagopoula.

The Project partners are:

(1) the University of Crete - Natural History Museum of Crete (Coordinator);

(2) the Hellenic Institute of Speleological Research (HISR);

(3) ATEPE Ecosystem Management LTD;

(4) the Ministry for the Environment and Energy, and

(5) the Green Fund.


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Workers Participation

From now on, any man-made intervention in the area shall be implemented with great attention in order to protect the environment where these bats dwell.

This is why the employees in charge of the maintenance and operation of the Motorway as well as all subcontractors carrying out works in the area have been informed about the program and adapt their works and tasks accordingly.


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Benefits for Οrganization

This specific program creates a better context for the operation of the company and all employees, since they all become part of an important action for the protection of the environment and biodiversity.

It also sets decision making guidelines and adopts best business practices, while it ultimately leads to a responsible corporate governance.




Connection with Global Goals







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