Agia Lake hosts Bird Festival to promote wetland conservation

The Bird Festival was held at Agia Lake in Chania, featuring birdwatching activities and educational workshops for children. The event is part of the pan-European Eurobirdwatch initiative organized by BirdLife International.

Organizers and environmental experts highlighted the critical need for a dedicated management body for Agia Lake. Despite being a Natura 2000 protected site and a vital stopover for migratory birds, the wetland faces significant threats from climate change and excessive water extraction, which recently led to near-desiccation of the lake.

Local groups, including the Chania Ecological Initiative and the Vamou Environmental Education and Sustainability Center, emphasized that protecting such wetlands is essential for both biodiversity and human interests. The festival aims to raise awareness about the conservation of migratory bird habitats across their entire journey, from breeding grounds to management sites.