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NATURA areas

 The Natura Network 2000 is a European Ecological Network of areas, which “accommodate” natural ecological areas and ecological areas of species that are important on a European level. It is composed of two kinds of areas: “Specially Protected Zones of Flora and Fauna” (ZEP), and “Areas of Communal Interest” (TKS).

 At the Municipality of Melivoia the most extent and important areas are the two Natura Areas 2000 – Areas of Communal Interest (TKS) mentioned below, and which areas, in the boundaries of the Municipality have the same terrestrial boundaries with the “Specially Protected Areas of Flora and Fauna” (SPA).

1. Forest of Ossa. The area includes the forest cluster of Mount Ossa, from the coastal line to the highest peak of Profitis Ilias (1980metres), which is outside the boundaries of the Municipality of Melivoia. The favourable environmental and climatic conditions, with a lot of rainfalls which are a result of the east winds, contribute to the creation of a wonderful forest cluster with many special ecological areas, offering a wide range of vegitation (flora and fauna). All this render Mount Ossa a natural botanical garden with rich flora and fauna.

2. Karla-Mavrovouni-Kefalovriso Velestinou.
This area includes the mountain Mavrovouni, two streams in the area of the old lake Karla and the spring Kefalovriso at Velestino Magnisia. It has a wide range of geomorphological topologies and many kinds of ecological areas. There are large, well maintained forests of deciduous broadleaved species, many species of birds, especially birds of pray, reptiles, amphibians, mammals and fish on Mavrovouni. Most of these are “species of communal interest”.

Areas of Communal Interest (TKS) - Natura Areas 2000:
* Forest of Ossa – GR 142003
* Carla – Mavrovouni – Kefalovriso Velestinou – GR 142004

Specially Protected Areas of Flora and Fauna” (SPA):
* Mount Mavrovouni – GR 142006
* Mount Ossa – GR 142007

The rest of the protected areas:
* Wild life resort – Polidendri Forest – K 226
* Wild life resort – Dasia Platania (Skiti – Amigdali – Potamia) – K 230
* Wild life resort – Mount Mavrovouni (Sklithro) – K 231
* Forest – Forest cluster of Ossa – A 3
* Controlled hunting ground – Mount Ossa – X 2

The above mentioned areas cover the boundaries of the Municipality of Melivoia, except the wild life resorts situated in the Polidendri Forest (K 226) and the continuous area of Sklithro to the north (K 231).
A Special Environmental Study has been approved for the area of Carla – Mavrovouni – Kefalovriso Velestinou, which defines four protected areas:

* Zone A: protection of nature
* Zone B1: management of mountainous ecosystem and sea zone
* Zone B2: management of ecosystem of lakes
* Zone C: area of controlled activities on the boundaries of the Municipality of Melivoia. There are also parts of Zone A and B1. The activities allowed in these zones cover all the spectrum of the agricultural department and promote special kinds of entertainment and viable tourism.