The project undertaken by OikoM Ltd in collaboration with the Goulandris Natural History Museum – Greek Biotope/Wetland Centre (GNHM-EKBY) concerned the assessment of the carrying capacity of Lake Pamvotida in Ioannina in relation to the tourist/recreational activities carried out in the lake and the movement of visitors.
The project was undertaken on behalf of the former Lake Pamvotida Management Body, now the Management Unit of the Protected Areas of Epirus of the Natural Environment and Climate Change Agency (N.E.C.C.A.).
Carrying capacity has been used extensively worldwide to estimate tourist traffic peaks. Based on this, directions were given for a rational and sustainable management of visitors to Pamvotida in relation to basic tourist activities such as the lake boats that transport visitors to the Island. At the same time, suitable/indicated mild recreational activities in the lake and the lakeside area such as hiking and water routes were proposed.
The aim was that the visitor management directions and the proposed recreational actions be governed by the principles of sustainable tourism and ecotourism development in order to ensure the protection and preservation of the natural environment (the landscape, species and habitats) as well as the anthropogenic environment.
The results of the project are expected to contribute to the prevention of the environmental and regional degradation of Pamvotida that occurs as a result of the way certain activities related to tourism and recreation are carried out.
