A number of Chania’s beaches have been given the status of “Untouched Beaches” following a Joint Ministerial Decision by the ministers of Finance Kostis Hatzidakis and Environment and Energy Thodoros Skylakakis. The decision relates to the beaches stretching from Chrysoskalitissa to the Krios peninsula, all the beaches belonging to the coastal zone of Lefka Ori, the islands of Imeri Gramvousa and Agria Gramvousa, Tigani Balos beach and parts of Falassarna, Pontikonisi island, Livadi and Vigla Bay (Kissamos), the north-eastern beaches near Drapanos (Apokoronas), parts of Georgioupolis beach, Lake Kournas, and Psimaki Cave (also in Apokoronas).

Altogether there are 198 untouched beaches in the country which are inside the Natura 2000 network and where the granting of the standard beach-front concessions (including the installing of umbrellas and sun-loungers) is forbidden. “Untouched Beaches” were passed into law following a proposal by the Natural Environment and Climate Change Agency (NECCA), the criteria for which include:
– the significant presence of habitats of rare endemic species of flora and fauna which are protected by Community or national law,
– the execution of important ecological functions for protected species,
– their designation as Critical Biodiversity Areas, or
– the presence of important ecosystems which need protection and preservation or rehabilitation.

What is forbidden
According to the Joint Ministerial Decision, on “Untouched Beaches” the law forbids the concession of the standard rights for the use of coasts and beaches, as well as any other activity which might endanger their morphology and their integrity as regards their ecological operation.

Specifically, the following are forbidden:
a) the presence of motor vehicles,
b) the organisation of events with more than 10 participants,
c) music or the production of other sounds with the use of electrical reproduction or amplification devices, to accompany activities,
d) the placing of movable items such as tables and chairs, umbrellas, sun loungers etc.,
e) activities which provide bathing facilities or public refreshment, and the hiring of watersports equipment,
f) the operation of self-propelled or towed mobile refreshment stalls.

What the ministers said
In a statement, the minister of Economy and Finance Kostis Hatzidakis said: “The central aim of the modifications which we established with law 5092/2024 is to link protecting the environment with moderate development. Moreover the environment is an important component of the Greek touristic product. … We are putting order into public property, with a strict framework of rules, penalties and obligations for concession holders, strengthened monitoring systems, transparency and decisiveness in the application of the law.”

According to the minister for the Environment and Energy, Thodoros Skylakakis: “We are introducing an exceptionally important initiative for the protection of 198 beaches – which were designated after a proposal by NECCA – which are situated in different areas of the country’s Natura 2000 network, that is in areas of high ecological importance. The decision for the so-called “Untouched Beaches” means that they will not be given over to touristic development, since priority on these beaches will be given to the environmental rather than the developmental-investment dimension.”
(Haniotika Nea, 20/04/24)

The broader picture
It should be noted that the announcement has been met with a considerable amount of local scepticism, given that the beaches in question constitute only a very small portion of the available coastline. One of the problems is that large areas of the most popular beaches are already under concession, with existing contracts for umbrellas and sunbeds etc, which may have several years to run, and these will inevitably not be affected by the new legislation.

However steps are already under way to provide added environmental protections to three of Chania’s most emblematic tourist spots: Elafonisi, Balos and Falassarna. A year ago, new measures were introduced to protect Elafonissi, including restrictions on the numbers of umbrellas and sunbeds and a ban on cars entering the protected area. Visitors interviewed by Haniotika Nea found the beach much improved from previous years. Also, a series of improvements will affect visitors’ experience at Balos this year.

Protective measures for Balos
Decisions embodied in the Action Plan for Balos drawn up last year will be applied more rigorously, and the new car park at Kaliviani will be in operation for the first time. As the adviser on environmental and planning issues to the Municipality of Kissamos Kostas Koukourakis told Haniotika Nea: “We are proceeding by small steps. The state proceeds at its own pace and constantly sets bureaucratic hurdles. The weight falls on the Municipality of Kissamos, although it is not given the resources. Last year the situation improved a little, this year a bit more, next year even more. We are engaged in a step-by-step effort to improve the situation.”

Specifically, the Municipality’s basic goals for this year are:
– Absolute protection of the protected species and the natural environment of Balos.
– Complete cleanliness of the area.
– Operation of the car park at Kaliviani.
“Now most private cars will park there, to avoid the tremendous congestion of vehicles all along the length of the road leading to Balos. The old car park will continue to operate for a few vehicles,” Mr Koukourakis said.

Restriction of visitor numbers
This year there will also be a double effort to restrict the overall numbers of visitors to the absolute permissible maximum. “The day trip boats will gradually have to follow a single route. There is a proposal to operate the existing jetty which currently belongs to a private company as a public facility open to all boats. We say that all the commercial boats should be able to moor there, so that people can disembark in safety. We aim to apply a rotating system, whereby there are no more than 700-1000 visitors in the morning, midday and afternoon respectively. With up to that number we can avoid overcrowding,” Mr Koukourakis said.

“At Balos we have an enormous number of rented boats, most of which come every day from Chania. We’re talking about 100-150 boats, with 5-6 people in each, which are not subject to any control … There must be a cut-off point and we are trying to find a way of doing this. We will work with the Coastguard to see how we can have up to 20 coming every 3-4 hours. This is somewhat difficult, it will need a lot of coordination, but we have to do it because we cannot have anyone coming whenever they like and dropping anchor to visit Balos,” he said.

At the same time plans are being made to create a digital platform so that reservations can be made online as happens in other countries. “The idea is technically feasible, we are in discussions to create this online platform which will solve a lot of problems for us. If it is done right it can have a large body of information for visitors on the area’s value and its environmental importance. Unfortunately, for the municipalities, the situation has deteriorated to such a point that we have to engage contractors for everything as we cannot do it all ourselves,” Mr Koukourakis concluded.
(Haniotika Nea, 29/04/24)