Filenews 29 July 2021 - by Angelos Nikolaou
A series of actions and measures aimed at the protection and conservation of the habitats and species of flora and fauna of the region and the removal and/or regulation of existing pressures, is implemented within the framework of the implementation of the Sustainable Development Plan of the National Forest Park (NSP) Akamas. One of the important elements of the Plan is the regulation of the movement of visitors to the area through a defined traffic network and at the same time the restriction of access of motor vehicles to areas that include important and/or sensitive habitats, species and habitats.
The Department of Forests has already restricted access to motor vehicles in three important and sensitive areas of the Akamas EDP and the Natura 2000 area of the same name:
1) Glyjin Mersini Region – Posiepsma (Tulipa cypria)
Along the road, passing through the position of the endangered species of tulipa cypria flora, metal stakes were placed to restrict wheeled access within its habitat, with the aim of preventing its disturbance or degradation and enhancing its protection by limiting wheeled access to an area of approximately 20 ha, which constitutes about 65 % of the area of occupation of the species in the Akamas EDP.
Tulipa cypria is a species found exclusively in Cyprus (endemic). Apart from the area of Akamas where it is located in three locations, to date it has also been located in the wider area of Kormakitis-Myrtos-Panagra (the largest subpopulation), between Mamari-Deia (dead zone) and Agios Simeons on the Karpasia peninsula (recent report). Cypriot tulip is included in Annexes II & IV to the Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC). This implies that the maintenance requires the establishment of Special Conservation Areas (Natura 2000 Areas). In addition, it is included in the Red Book of Flora of Cyprus, where it is classified as Endangered. The total population varies significantly per year, depending on climatic conditions and is estimated to exceed 6,000 people. The subpopulation in Akamas National Forest Park is located on state forest land and is included in the European Natura 2000 Network. In addition, the species is kept in the Botanical Gardens of the Department of Forests and in seed banks.
2) Toxeer Beach and 3) South Lara Bay Beach
The beaches of Toxeira and South Lara Bay are under intense pressure from driving four-wheel motor vehicles off the road and onto the beach, resulting in the marked degradation of sensitive sand dune habitats and habitat of important coastal flora species, as well as the disturbance and degradation of the important habitat of the spawning beach of the sea turtles Caretta Caretta (Caretta-caretta) and the green turtle (Chelonia mydas). Through the combined approach (a) restriction of access, (b) visitor awareness and (c) more systematic supervision and control by THE STAFF, the protection of these habitats, habitats and species in the Akamas SDP, which is a very important area for their conservation, is strengthened. In this context, metal stakes were placed to restrict the access of motor vehicles within the beach of Toxeira and South Lara Bay, limiting the access of vehicles to an area of about 10 ha and 8 ha, respectively.
At the end of 2022 the operation of the park
According to information received from the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and the Environment, in addition to actions aimed at the conservation of biodiversity, which is also the primary objective of the implementation of the Sustainable Development Plan of the National Forest Park (EDP) Akamas, actions concerning the management of visitors to the region continue, in a way that improves their experience and reduces the burden on the environment of the region. As has been mentioned to us, the opening of the Park remains a goal until the end of 2022.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and The Environment and the relevant Departments, with the coordinating role of the Department of Forests, are continuing intensively efforts to implement the Sustainable Development Plan of the Akamas National Forest Park, which is expected to contribute to improving the existing conservation and protection status of the Akamas EDP area and the Natura 2000 area while creating direct and indirect benefits for the local community.
