Completion of the project for the protection of the Cave of the Lakes in Kastria, Achaia

In May 2024, the project for the protection of the habitat and colonies of bats in the Cave of the Lakes, in Kastria, Achaia, was completed, which was implemented in the framework of Action C1 "Protection, restoration and management of important roosting sites for bats" of the LIFE GRECABAT Project.

As part of the project, the fencing of the natural entrance of the Cave was replaced with a new, bat-friendly fencing consisting of vertical railings of special specifications and garbage and rubble were removed in special disposal areas.
 

The project aimed to increase the useful opening that already existed and to reduce the possibility of injuries to bats from impacts on the fence in order to ensure the unhindered passage of the bats to and from the cave.

In addition, the project was combined with the installation of environmental interpretation signs (Action E1 "Environmental Interpretation Signs" of LIFE GRECABAT), in order to optimally inform visitors both about the importance of the habitat and the bats it hosts as well as about the rules of good behavior.

We warmly thank the team of the contractor company "EVANGELIA ANDRIANOPOULOU AND CO EE" (Lilian, George and Roula) for the design and implementation of the project, the Forestry Department of Kalavryta and Katerina Kollyrou for the supervision, the Management Unit of the Chelmos - Vouraikos National Park and Protected Areas of the Northern Peloponnese of NECCA (Nikos and George), the Ephorate of Paleoanthropology and Speleology and especially Stella Katsarou, the Municipality of Kalavryta, the management and the people of the Cave of the Lakes, especially Thanasis Zisimopoulos, Poulia Tsami and Fotis, for their valuable cooperation from the beginning of our Project.