Equally concerned by illegal immigrants crossing the Aegean Sea and by unregulated home-building across the country, the Greek government is considering employing satellite technology to keep an eye on both problems, a leading Greek daily reported on Saturday.
The public order ministry is examining proposals for a network of 12 light-weight satellites to both monitor Greece’s borders and defend its forests, Kathimerini daily reported, citing a ministry source.
If equipped with the appropriate technology, the satellites could also help seismological research and oil surveys, the newspaper said.
The ministry could not immediately comment on the story.
Efforts to thwart illegal immigration are a daily staple for the Greek authorities, who annually catch hundreds of would-be migrants trying to enter the country.
Attempts to stop illegal construction are less enthusiastic, though the problem has been prevalent for decades. Luxury villas are a common sight in forested areas previously ravaged by fires, which are themselves a frequent occurrence in Greece during summer.
