Filenews 20 December 2020 - by Angelos Nikolaou
A strategic study for the implementation of the Plan for the Sustainable Development of the Akamas National Forest Park (AKAMA) was prepared by the Department of Forests. The ultimate objective of the study is to preserve the environment by identifying possible environmental impacts from the implementation of the AKAMA SAD and integrating environmental issues into it. Due to its ecological value and natural landscape, the area of akamas National Forest Park and the wider area attracts thousands of visitors every year, both from Cyprus and abroad. The SSC AKAMA estimates that visitors visiting the Park from land amount to 0.4 million people a year and more from the sea, while a traffic study carried out by RAI Consultants LTD for the Department of Forests in November to December 2019 brings the number of visits to 0.8 to 1.2 million people per year.
The vision put forward in the proposal is that the Akamas EDP is the national model of effective management of protected areas in Cyprus by integrating sustainable development as a primary instrument and tool for achieving the objectives of protection, conservation and promotion of the region.
However, proposals to improve and upgrade the road network within the Akamas EDP conflict with the conservation objectives, management measures and planned arrangements of the approved and published management plans for the Protected Areas of the Natura 2000 Network, Site of Community Importance (CSF) and Akamas Peninsula Special Protection Zone (SPA). According to environmental organisations, the conservation objectives, management measures and planned arrangements for the management plans of the Natura 2000 protected areas had to be incorporated into the Akamas SEP Sustainable Development Plan, in accordance with the provisions of the Forest Law on forest management plans.
In particular, 'Measure 4.1.1. Maintenance of a protected area road network" of the "Management Plan for the Natura 2000 TKS Akamas Peninsula Network", published by the Department of environment of the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment in April 2016, falls into the category of projects that serve the specific objectives of highlighting the area and serving visitors, contributing to sustainable development and optimal management and operation of the area.
The specific objective it serves is infrastructure. It is proposed "the prohibition of asphalting of the existing road network and the non-implementation of other infrastructure projects (such as lighting, sewerage, water supply, etc.), in addition to the maintenance and improvement of the road network. Road maintenance and improvement projects should aim to protect against the erosion of rainwater (provision for a side ditch, Irish crossings or appropriate vehicles in watercourse contributions). Particular emphasis should be placed on avoiding the release of dust of territorial origin during vehicle transit. This can be achieved by appropriate paving of road-side material on the road deck, as well as by introducing vehicle speed reduction arrangements. A market investigation should therefore be carried out in order to select the most suitable material with criteria other than the above and technically. It should be noted that road improvement projects do not concern widening projects, but should from time to time create enough width for overtaking purposes. It is also noted that this road network should not be registered as public'.
According to the "Management Plan for the Natura 2000 SPA Akamas Peninsula Area", published by the Department of Thera and Fauna of the Ministry of the Interior in September 2016, "the most important infrastructure within the SPA area concerns the road network. The road network in the SPA area is densely developed. The total number of registered paved routes within the SPA area amounts to approximately 14 km, as well as dirt roads with a total length of approximately 270 km. Most of these roads are forest roads (approximately a total length of 175 km), while the remaining dirt roads are side roads of forest roads created mostly by man-made activities of unlicensed activities".
As stated, "the presence of an extensive road network and its continuous expansion results in the loss of natural habitats, the provision of access to vehicles resulting in increased nuisance and at the same time the risk of fires and illegal activities, such as poaching and illegal trapping, while leading to the fragmentation of the landscape. In the area, uncontrolled access to cars and other motor vehicles (e.g. four-wheel motor vehicles) for recreational purposes is a major nuisance".
In addition, it is noted that 'the extensive network of roads affects the birdlife of the area as it provides access to a large part of the SPA area, resulting in an increase in nuisance as well as the carrying out of illegal activities'. Finally, it is stressed that 'a large proportion of rural roads within the SPA area are not registered and opened in order to provide easier access to private blocks in the area, as well as to use the area for leisure activities. However, this has a negative impact on the birdlife of the region, since on the one hand it increases access to various parts of the region and contributes to the increase of nuisance of species, while at the same time leading to the loss of habitats of the region and the fragmentation of the landscape".
BUILDING OF FOREST ROADS
Measure "B.1. Management measures relating to forest activities expected to act for the benefit of designation species for the region" of the "Management Plan for the Natura 2000 SPA Akamas Peninsula Area" falls within the category of land use regulation and activities measures. According to this measure, provision is made for 'a ban on the opening of new forest roads, unless there are no feasible alternatives (as an appropriate assessment is carried out showing that there are no negative effects). Also, where possible, some of the existing forest roads should be closed, always on the basis of a fire risk assessment study (or minimum restricted access solely for state forest management and forest fire prevention purposes), as well as on the basis of an assessment of the most important nesting areas for the designation species and the important predators Spizaetos and Zanos".
"Measure B.3. Control of illegal practices and unlicensed activities" of the "Management Plan for the Natura 2000 SPA Akamas Peninsula Area" falls within the category of land use regulation measures and activities. According to this measure, provision is made for 'access control', 'restriction of uncontrolled opening of rural roads' and 'prohibition of the movement of four-wheel motorcycles (pigs) on dirt roads and unregistered roads'.
Improving forest roads
The ten main roads of the Akamas EDP are:
1) White River–Toxetra-Lara Road: It is proposed to improve and upgrade the existing dirt road, with a total length of about 6.5 km, with asphalt.
2) Lara-Gioni Road: It is proposed to improve and upgrade the existing dirt road, with a total length of about 12.5 km, with broken material and where there is a high concrete slope.
3) Laras Circular Road: It is proposed to improve and upgrade the existing dirt road, with a total length of about 2.5 km, with broken material.
4) White River-Muntiko Road: It is proposed to improve and upgrade the existing dirt road with broken material and where there is a high concrete slope.
5) Toxetra-Avaka-Lipatis Road: It is proposed to improve and upgrade the existing dirt road with broken material and where there is a high concrete slope.
6) Smiyes-Jifin Road: It is proposed to improve and upgrade the existing dirt road with broken material and where there is a high concrete slope.
7) Smiyes–Agios Minas Road: It is proposed to improve and upgrade the existing dirt road first with broken material and then perhaps with asphalt.
8) Koudounas-Smiyes Road: It is proposed to improve and upgrade the existing dirt road initially with broken material and at a later stage, after the operation of the EDP, with asphalt.
9) Gioni-Posiemasma-Smiyes Road: It is proposed to improve and upgrade the existing dirt road, with a total length of about 11 km, with broken material and concrete, only in areas that are necessary.
10) Aphrodite-Fontana Amorosa Baths Road: It is proposed to improve and upgrade the existing dirt road, with a total length of about 6.5 km, with broken material and where there is a high concrete slope. The road will only be used by EDP visitor transport vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists.
Based on the above, the asphalting of three main forest roads, which include the roads 1) White River–Toxetra-Lara, 2) Smiyes-Agios Minas and 3) Koudounas-Smiyes. The remaining seven main forest roads are expected to be improved with broken material (havara) and where necessary with concrete.
Eleven guest service hubs
According to the final infrastructure map of the Akamas EDP Sustainable Development Plan, the following eleven visitor service hubs are located on the state forest land:
- The node in the Baths of Aphrodite includes: 1) entrance to the EDP, 2) starting point of nature study path, 3) sanitary areas/latrines, 4) visitor transport vehicle stop, 5) rural bus parking, 6) bicycle rental area, 7) information point and 8) souvenir shop/souvenir shop.
- The junction in Fontana Amorosa includes: 1) starting point of nature study trail, 2) sanitary areas/latrines, 3) visitor transport vehicle stop, 4) bicycle parking, 5) information point and 6) refreshment.
- The node in Smiyes includes: 1) entrance to the EDP, 2) starting point of nature study path, 3) sanitary areas/latrines, 4) private vehicle parking, 5) rural bus parking, 6) bicycle rental area, 7) excursion space, 8) information point, 9) refreshment and 10) souvenir shop.
- The hub in Drousia includes: 1) entrance to the EDP, 2) information point, 3) rural bus parking and 4) bicycle rental space.
- The node on the beach of northern Lara includes: 1) sea turtle hatchery, 2) sanitary areas/latrines, 3) visitor transport vehicle stop, 4) information point, 5) bicycle parking and 6) access path to the beach.
- The node on the beach of south Lara includes: 1) sanitary areas/latrines, 2) stop of guest transport vehicles, 3) bicycle parking, 4) access path to the beach, 5) sea salt collection area and 6) refreshment.
- The junction at the intersection of Inia-Laras road includes: 1) entrance to the EDP, 2) private vehicle parking, 3) sanitary/latrine areas, 4) visitor transport vehicle stop, 5) rural bus stop, 6) information point, 7) bicycle rental area, 8) environmental information and education playground, 9) refreshment and 10) souvenir shop/souvenir shop.
- The node at the entrance of The Avaka Gorge includes: 1) private vehicle parking, 2) sanitary areas/latrines, 3) visitor transport vehicle stop, 4) information point, 5) bicycle parking, 6) nature study trail starting point and 7) refreshment room.
- The node at Toxeutras beach includes: 1) private vehicle parking, 2) sanitary/latrine areas, 3) visitor transport vehicle stop, 4) information point, 5) bicycle parking and 6) access path to the beach.
- The junction on Kathika and Ardon road includes: 1) entrance to the EDP, 2) private vehicle parking, 3) sanitary areas/latrines, 4) visitor transport vehicle stop, 5) rural bus stop, 6) information point and 7) bicycle rental area.
- The hub on the White River includes: 1) entrance to the EDP, 2) private vehicle parking, 3) sanitary areas/latrines, 4) visitor transport vehicle stop, 5) rural bus stop, 6) information point, 7) bicycle rental area, 8) view point, 9) refreshment and 10) souvenir shop/souvenir shop.
Reservations and objections of environmental organisations
The reservations and objections of environmental organisations focus on three main provisions of the design of the Akamas EDP, which concern:
1) the location of a large number of refreshments in environmentally sensitive areas, such as Fontana Amorosa, South Lara, the intersection of Inia-Laras road, Avaka Gorge and the White River.
2) the construction of a large number of souvenir shops/souvenirs in environmentally sensitive areas, such as the Baths of Aphrodite, the Smiyes, the intersection of inia-Laras road and the White River, as well as
3) the asphalting of the following three main forest roads: White River-Toxetra-Lara, Smiyes-Agios Minas and Koudounas-Smiyes.
