Visiting State Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development of the Slovak Republic Martin Kovac and Attica Governor Giorgos Patoulis visited Varibobi, in northern Attica on Thursday, where wildfires destroyed large areas in August 2021.
Kovac’s visit is a follow-up to that of Prime Minister of the Slovak Republic Eduard Heger, who visited the fire-afflicted areas in September 2021, during which the foundations were laid for co-operation and exchange of know-how on civil protection and reforestation in the aftermath of the devastating wildfires.
The Slovakian minister, accompanied by Patoulis, inspected the pilot anti-flooding projects in Varybobi, together with Secretary General for Forestry at the Greek Ministry of Environment & Energy Konstantinos Aravossis, and Ambassador of Slovakia to Greece Iveta Hricova, among other officials.
They were briefed on the progress of rapid reforestation of the local environment, which includes log dams with water-retention wall structures, built using the know-how of Slovakian experts. Kovac pointed out that his country has a 200-year experience in reforestation, as 42 pct of its land is covered by reforested areas.
In August 2021, Slovakia sent Greece some 75 firefighters and 30 fire engines to help the country manage the extensive fires. At least 7,615 hectares (76,150 stremmas) of forest land burnt in northern Attica alone.
SOURCE; AMNA
