| Recognizing the great environmental, geological and palaeontological value of the Petrified Forest of Lesvos, the Greek State has initiated a series of actions for its protection. The first Ministerial decision of the Minister of Culture was published on 31 January 1958 characterizing the Petrified Forest of Lesvos as a specially protected region. The expropriation of two regions of 500 acres (at Bali Alonia and Hamandroula), containing a large number of fossilized trunks, occurred in 1965 with the decision of the Minister of Agriculture. In 1985, on the proposal of the Ministry of Agriculture, the "Petrified Forest" is declared a Protected Natural Monument ( PD 443/85). With this decree, one marine and four land sections are protected. These sections cover a large area of 150.000 acres in the regions of Sigri, Antissa and Eressos, the marine section around the islet of Nisiopi or Megalonisi and four land regions as well as individual appearances of fossilized trunks.
Under this law, excavation, embankment, sampling of ground and geological sublayers and other actions that could cause the deterioration and alteration of the geological shape of the landscape, as well as the cutting, collection, destruction or transport of fossils, is strictly prohibited. In 1996 the Forest Police Provision regulates areas of the Petrified Forest declared Protected Natural Monuments. The Natural History Museum of the Petrified Forest of Lesvos is founded by law ( N. 2260/94 article 2) in 1994, its aim being the study, research, promotion, maintenance, protection, conservation, and correct use of the Petrified Forest. Law PD183/95, (OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE HELLENIC REPUBLIC 96/A/30-5-1995) established its operation regulations. |
Places of Particular Natural Beauty
The islet Megalonisi or Nisiopi is protected as a Place of Particular Natural Beauty (OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE HELLENIC REPUBLIC 1176/V/2000) "NATURA 2000" Network
In 1999 (Law 2742/99 and 3044/02), the institutional framework for the protection of natural regions of European Importance through the "Natura 2000 Network" is created, following the E.U. directive (92/43/EC). The region of the Petrified Forest is included among the regions that constitute the National List of the Natura 2000 Network, after it was included in the Western Peninsula Lesvos - Petrified Forest region (code GR 4110003). In these regions, the maintenance of natural ecotopes as well as wild fauna and flora is promoted. The network is more specifically made up of regions containing types of ecotopes identified in E.U directives, which should be maintained or, potentially, re-established to a satisfactory level of maintenance, ecotopes of priority, as well as types of flora and fauna. Area of Special Protection for Birds
An area of 340.000str. in the region has been proposed for characterization as an Area of Special Protection for Birds (Special Protected Area) according to the No. 4 Directive on Birds (79/409/EC). The proposed region has the code "GR134: South-western Peninsula-Petrified Forest of Lesvos "and it follows along the western seashores of the island and its north to south border follows the imaginary line that links the settlements of Lapsarna, Ligeri, the Perivoli Monastery, Vatoussa, Revma, the heights of Mitero Mountain and Parakila. The region has been characterized already as an Important Region for Birds (SPP). Wildlife Refuges
Six locations in the region have been characterized as wildlife refuges by the Forestry Department of the Ministry of Rural Economy and Growth. | Region | Extent (str.) |
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| Skamniouda, Antissa | 6000 | | Petrified Forest, Sigri | 8000 | | Deep valley - Kelemia, Antissa | 4000 | | Nisiopi or Megalonisi of Sigri | 800 | | Mesoros - Agra | 6000 | | Maliontas - Tavari Hrousos, Mesotopo | 9000 |
Convention of Barcelona
In 1997, the Official Newspaper of European Communities (l240/19-9-1997) published the Convention on the protection of the Mediterranean from pollution, namely the Convention of Barcelona, with which the coastal area of the Petrified Forest is protected.
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