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Fiery tempers on Greek islands - 11 September 2007

As the clear-up begins following the devastating forest fires that ripped through the heart of some of Greece’s most picturesque landscapes, arguments continue to rage over where the blame for the fires lies.

While the Greek government has been roundly criticized both at home and internationally for its slow response to the disaster facing local villagers, as well as failing to prevent at least some of the 63 deaths in the forest inferno, blame for the fires starting has fallen on individual people and even property developers.

Many of the problems stem from the antiquated planning laws and land records that exist in Greece. In many rural parts of the country, maps and land registry details have not been updated since the times of the Ottoman Empire, when aerial photographs were taken.

Given the vagueness of the records that do exist, many locals and property companies have taken advantage to extend beyond the limits of what they are strictly allowed. It has emerged that in some areas it is common practice for residents to discard household rubbish into forests. Aside from the anti-social nature of this activity, in scorching temperatures, it only takes a small piece of broken glass to magnify the sunlight and start a huge fire.

More serious allegations have been leveled at property developers from some commentators. As it is illegal in Greece to destroy areas of forest in order to build property, many developers will move in after the fires and claim the newly-bare land for building. Logically, it follows that some people suspect developers of starting some fires themselves in order to gain access to building land, which then get out of control.

These accusations are, of course, strenuously denied by developers, and no substantial evidence has been presented, though there is little doubt that the building industry does manage to benefit from the loss of the forest.

 

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