The illegal grazing act in Central Greece during the years 1970 – 1995

Forest ecosystems play an important role in the development of human society. They grant a great number of products and many other services, also contribute to cultural and economical development of humanity. During the past, forest and forestlands had been suffering from significant destruction. Forest fires, irrational grazing, poaching, illegal felling, encroachment are some of the illegal acts which have reduced and degraded forests. This paper introduces the basic legislative provisions related to grazing in Greece. It also analyses the forest law that regulates the way of grazing and the punishments that are levied to violators. In addition, it reports the number of forest offenses related with illegal grazing acts. The results show that they have been written 19027 illegal grazing acts. In prefecture of Aitoloakarnania was noticed the maximum number of these acts. Besides, it has been noticed a gradual reduction of illegal grazing acts.