Environmental NGOs are urging a halt to road expansions in Akamas National Park due to concerns over legal process adherence and the risk to local biodiversity. Improvements to main forest roads are proceeding without a comprehensive re-evaluation, threatening endemic bird species and flora, and bypassing the special ecological assessment report’s recommendations.
What are the environmental concerns associated with the Akamas National Park developments?
Environmental NGOs are urging a halt to road expansions in Akamas National Park due to concerns over legal process adherence and the risk to local biodiversity. Improvements to main forest roads are proceeding without a comprehensive re-evaluation, threatening endemic bird species and flora, and bypassing the special ecological assessment report’s recommendations.
Environmental Concerns Over Akamas National Park
Environmental organizations have raised their voices in protest against the developments taking place within the Akamas National Park. These NGOs have brought attention to the fact that road widening projects, which have stirred controversy in the past, are either continuing or have resumed. The road work being executed by the forestry department intersects the main road network—a network scheduled for reassessment by mid-2024.
According to reports, the principal forest roads extending from Ais Minas to Smigies and then from Smigies to Koutsagas are undergoing improvement and widening. This has been happening over the past month. Groups like Terra Cypria and BirdLife Cyprus have voiced strong concern, highlighting that the current activities do not align with legal processes previously agreed upon.
Akamas’ Biodiversity at Risk
The Akamas peninsula is home to a rich tapestry of biodiversity. The area in question is part of the active territory of the Northern goshawk, a bird of prey known for its impressive agility in flight. This same region also hosts the nesting grounds for the Cyprus wheatear and Cyprus warbler—two bird species endemic to the island. In addition to the avian species, a multitude of unique and endemic flora find sanctuary within Akamas.
Environmentalists have reiterated the importance of a special ecological assessment report (SEA) for Phase A of the road network. The SEA, issued in March of the current year, along with a decision made by the council of ministers, called for a three-month re-evaluation of the infrastructure hubs, other works, and overall management logistics of Akamas’ sustainable development plan.
Unsanctioned Works and Government Response
The NGOs have pointed out that the forest department’s recent actions appear to have bypassed the SEA ad hoc committee. They note that the work has proceeded without the comprehensive re-evaluation of the planned infrastructure, which includes both the main forest roads and management nodes. This disregard for established procedures has led to immediate calls for the ad hoc committee’s involvement.
The environmental groups have urged the Minister of Agriculture to intervene and ensure no further road improvement or widening occurs within the Akamas Park. They insist on a full re-evaluation of the sustainable development plan by the SEA committee. Previous statements by Minister of Agriculture Maria Panayiotou indicated that work was to recommence early April with a completion target in the first week of May. The minister emphasized that the government’s priority is the preservation of Akamas’ natural wealth and that the development projects would be executed with minimal environmental impact. The NGOs, however, remain firm in their stance, requesting a halt to all activities until proper evaluations and legal procedures are followed.
What are the concerns raised by environmental NGOs regarding the developments in Akamas National Park?
Environmental NGOs are concerned about the road expansions in Akamas National Park proceeding without a comprehensive re-evaluation. They fear that this threatens endemic bird species, flora, and bypasses the recommendations of a special ecological assessment report.
What unique biodiversity is at risk in Akamas National Park due to the ongoing developments?
The Akamas peninsula is home to a rich biodiversity, including the Northern goshawk, Cyprus wheatear, Cyprus warbler, and various endemic flora. The road expansions could endanger these species and their habitats.
How have the recent developments in Akamas National Park bypassed established procedures?
The forest department’s actions have proceeded without the full re-evaluation of planned infrastructure, including main forest roads and management nodes, as recommended in the special ecological assessment report. This has raised concerns about adherence to legal processes.
What actions are environmental NGOs calling for in response to the developments in Akamas National Park?
Environmental NGOs are calling for a halt to all road expansions in Akamas National Park until proper evaluations and legal procedures are followed. They have urged the Minister of Agriculture to intervene and ensure the preservation of the park’s natural wealth with minimal environmental impact.
