Filenews 29 April 2021 - by Angelos Nikolaou
The protection of the Akamas Peninsula, through 10 specific decisions, policies and actions by the state, is required by the Federation of Environmental Organizations of Cyprus (OPOK), which consists of 21 Non-Governmental Organizations of Cyprus. OPOK claims that the Akamas Peninsula should be preserved as an integral and important part of our common, natural and cultural heritage.
According to the Joint Declaration, the Akamas Peninsula is one of the last coastal areas for the protection of nature and biodiversity in Cyprus and an integral part of our common, natural and cultural heritage. The declaration states that on the basis of the Recommendations of the Standing Committee of the Berne Convention for the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats of the Council of Europe, the entire Akamas Peninsula should be declared a National Park, Biosphere Reserve or protected area with corresponding international protection status.
It is also stated that the planning promoted by the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment for the Akamas National Forest Park (EDP) is not in line with the objective of integrated, effective and long-term protection of the Akamas Peninsula, as well as sustainable development, prosperity and promotion of local communities.
The State is invited to undertake policies and actions, which include:
1) Declaration of the entire Akamas Peninsula in a National Park, Biosphere Reserve or protected area with corresponding international protection status.
2) Prevent the construction of scattered developments and incompatible projects on the Akamas Peninsula.
3) Removal of arbitrary interventions and termination of harmful activities, demolition of illegal structures and restoration of environmental damage.
4) Implementation of the strategy and all the public benefit projects included in the Action Plan for the Sustainable Development of the Communities of Akamas and the Municipality of Pegia.
5) Establishment of a single and integrated management framework for the entire area falling within the boundaries of the Natura 2000 Network.
6) Expropriation of enclosed private property falling within the Akamas EDP, declaring it on state forest land and integrating it into the Akamas EDP.
7. Immediate definition of the necessary conservation measures provided for in the appropriate management plans in order to obtain legally binding effect.
8) Implementation of maintenance and improvement work on the existing road network.
9) Submission of the Plan for the Sustainable Development of the Akamas EDP, as well as the Local Plans of the Communities of Akamas and the Municipality of Pegia, to a Strategic and Appropriate Environmental Impact Assessment (Special Ecological Assessment). 10) Co-evaluation of the impact on the environment of the Akamas Sepa Sustainable Development Plan and the local plans under preparation of the Communities of Akamas and the Municipality of Pegia.
