SYLVESTRIS OE dealt with the compilation of Forest Maps within the National Land Registry, and deals with the compilation of Forestry Maps in the context of forest management, compilation of thematic maps for environmental studies and Pasture Management studies.

With the posting of the Forest Maps in 2017 within the framework of the National Land Registry, we dealt with a number of Objections on the posted Forest Maps in Ioannina, Thesprotia, Evia, Attica and the Cyclades. With the experience gained, we have prepared the ground for supporting objections to the Forest Maps in most of the country, the posting of which began in January 2021 and will be completed within 2022.

Photo interpretation

In the context of lodging objections – objections against an act of designation or in the context of an appeal for the revocation of a decision declaring reforestation, the citizen is required to prove the non-forest form of the respective area. The existence of title deeds or the existence of some constructions or even the existence of licensing documents for the creation of constructions are not always sufficient elements to prove the non-forest character of an area.

In such cases, the preparation of a Photo Interpretation Report is required, which is the timeless proof of the non-forest form of the examined area, through the study – examination of aerial photographs of past and recent years. It should be noted that drawing conclusions and relevant documentation regarding the form of the area through the examination of aerial photographs is not a simple task. The high altitude of many of these aerial photographs, their poor clarity (in many cases) and the lack of knowledge of forest legislation (by non-experts), can lead to erroneous conclusions just by simply examining them. During the process of preparing the photo-interpretation, the stereoscopic observation of the pair of aerial photographs of each time period is required through a stereoscope, so that the stereoscopic findings are actually recorded, analyzed, evaluated based on the relevant and necessary experience and combined with the legal in order to draw the necessary (substantiated) conclusions.

For both the company and its members, the experience gained is great, as one can see in our research project.