Nov

Erimitis after, exploring the BioPark concept

“Erimitis after, exploring the BioPark concept”

Following last year’s event “Erimitis after” (4 June 2022) and in the context of the broader exploration of alternatives, John Regan BioParks specialist, Professor Sir Drummond Bowen and Dr Mike Maunder spend almost a week in Corfu talking with people and visiting places to present on Thursday 21 June some of their initial thoughts on Erimitis.

Dr Maunder during his short presentation, acknowledged the importance of Erimitis as a last area of coastal wild nature that is accessible to all that includes

• Threatened species

• Sea grass meadows

• Potential for low impact tourism but with improved local benefits

• Potential for schools and community education

• Potential for a research facility

• Opportunity to rebuild nature at scale-the ignition button for rebuilding natural capital in the Ionian islands

• And argued that Erimitis is a step forward to a nature positive Corfu based on the principals that Nature is recognised as a vital resource for Corfu’s prosperity. In this scenario there is a shift from extractive tourism to regenerative tourism that reflects and enhances nature and culture.

Finally, he congratulated all the individuals and groups who have fought so effectively for Erimitis and it is still here for us to enjoy. Now we would be ready for the next step to start planning for the management of this gem and using this victory to drive an island wide change. In this vision would be that Erimitis will survive as part of a network of linked landscapes that are integrated into the Corfu landscape and economy.

A live discussion initiated after his presentation which lasted for about a couple of hours. Surely, there a lot of things still to discuss while moving forward with a management plan. In any case, the first objective should be the formal regime of environmental protection.