The legal framework for the establishment of the National Marine Park of Zakynthos: A context for the conciliation of environmental protection and economic development

Abstract

The Presidential Decree for the Establishment of the NMPZ is a first attempt in Greece for the configuration of a legal framework combining the needs for environmental protection and economic prosperity. This aim is achieved through the management of natural, semi-natural and human-made environment in accordance with the principles of sustainability. Specifically, the Presidential Decree includes both normative and procedural elements, allowing a sufficient degree of flexibility on the management agent of the protected areas for the specification and adoption of certain legal regulations. The Presidential Decree could be considered as a successful example in Greece of a proper legal framework for protected areas, even though its validity will be tested through the level of application of its predictions. In conclusion, the formulation in legal terms of environmental management principles faces the limits of legal regulations and illustrates the importance for flexible adaptation of these regulations in space and time.