- After the five-year reforestation and supervision program in Kastanologgos in Southern Evia, the company breathes new life into the forest.
- Investment of more than 1.5 million euros, the company's largest reforestation project
Principia – whose shareholders are Enel and Macquarie Asset Management – symbolically announces, on the occasion of World Environment Day (5 June), the completion of the reforestation project in the area of Kastanologgos, in Southern Evia, near the "Kafireas" Wind Farm Cluster. This ambitious initiative, which was implemented under the guidance of the Forestry Department and the Local Authorities, is not only a milestone in the conservation and regeneration of the ancient wild chestnut forests of the region, but also a model example of forest regeneration, as such action has never been implemented before in the country.
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Kastanologgos stretches on the slopes of Mount Ochi and is living proof of the island's rich biodiversity and cultural heritage. With most of its trees reaching the age of 450, Kastanologgos is a "natural monument" for South Evia. However, decades of disease and exploitation have threatened the survival of this precious ecosystem.
In response to this urgent need, Principia launched a holistic reforestation effort in 2018, committing over €1.5 million to revitalize 660 acres of forest land. The project included several critical stages, such as the creation of forest roads and fire zones to improve accessibility and safety, as well as the installation of 13,000 metres of fencing, in order to protect new trees from external factors.
During the project, Principia collected seeds, grew them in a special nursery in Athens and created 30,000 healthy new seedlings, which were transplanted to the areas under reforestation. To ensure their survival, over 126,000 meters of water network and corresponding reservoirs were installed, while the company is committed to their maintenance in the coming years.
What makes Principia's initiative unique
The initiative of Principia in Kastanologgos is distinguished for:
- Focus on a rare ecosystem: It concerns the restoration of an ancient wild chestnut forest, with trees up to 450 years old, which is part of the Natura 2000 network.
- Scientific approach: It is accompanied by scientific research and monitoring, in collaboration with the Forestry Department and other bodies, for the study of natural regeneration and the protection of biodiversity.
- Holistic management: It includes measures such as the installation of fences to protect against overgrazing, the collection and cultivation of local seeds, and the creation of irrigation infrastructure to support new seedlings.
Principia's work is a model for the restoration of rare and sensitive ecosystems, as it combines environmental protection with scientific documentation and close cooperation with the local community and the competent authorities. Today, thanks to the uninterrupted dedication of the company and its partners, Kastanologgos is experiencing an impressive revival – as for the first time in 150 years, new chestnut trees take root and grow in this primeval forest, giving life and continuity to a unique natural monument of South Evia.
