Newsroom
Five environmental organisations have issued a public call to President Nikos Christodoulides, urging the Government to make “clear commitments and concrete actions” on biodiversity protection and the management of Cyprus’ Natura 2000 protected areas following continued controversy surrounding the Akamas Peninsula.
In a joint open letter published on Wednesday, BirdLife Cyprus, Terra Cypria, Cyprus Wildlife Society, Friends of the Earth Cyprus and Cyprus Natural Coastline accused authorities of delays, lack of transparency and weak enforcement of environmental legislation, despite commitments included in the Government’s 2023 Governance Programme.
The organisations stated that environmental protection was presented as one of the administration’s “four fundamental principles”, but argued that progress on key biodiversity and conservation measures has remained limited.
The Akamas Peninsula remains at the centre of the dispute. The area contains protected Natura 2000 sites, rare habitats and important wildlife populations. Environmental groups say delays in implementing legally binding environmental conditions connected to the Sustainable Development Plan of Akamas National Forest Park are putting the area under pressure.
The letter refers to road network improvement works in Akamas, which were halted after intervention by the President in December 2023 following findings of serious violations and mishandling. Cabinet decisions followed in December 2023 and March 2024, yet the organisations say restoration measures and environmental reassessments have still not been completed almost two years later.
According to the letter, concerns include the continued operation of allegedly illegal premises within or near protected areas, unauthorised roads and delays in environmental restoration works.
The organisations also referred to Cyprus’ active infringement procedures with the European Union relating to the Natura 2000 network. These cases involve issues connected to the protection and management of protected sites, ecological assessment procedures and delays in issuing protection and management decrees.
In the letter, the groups asked the Government whether it plans to establish a dedicated mechanism to monitor environmental compliance and whether additional measures will be introduced to meet Cyprus’ obligations under EU environmental law.
Public access to environmental information was another major issue raised by the organisations. They argued that despite legal guarantees under Cypriot and European legislation, authorities have repeatedly failed to provide requested environmental data and documentation.
Examples listed in the letter include requests linked to protected bat species, a proposed wind farm project near the Natura 2000 area of Kosiis–Pallourokampos in Larnaca district, and information connected to the implementation of the Akamas development plan. According to the organisations, several written requests submitted since 2024 have not received substantive responses.
The letter also calls for stronger environmental enforcement mechanisms, including amendments allowing stricter penalties and deterrent fines for environmental violations in protected areas.
Environmental organisations claim illegal structures and unauthorised interventions continue to appear within or around Natura 2000 zones in Akamas, including unlicensed restaurants, kiosks and agricultural facilities.
The groups are also asking the Government whether it intends to extend protection measures across the entire Akamas Peninsula rather than limiting protection to the current boundaries of the National Forest Park, which they say covers only part of the Natura 2000 ecosystem.
The organisations said the open letter was published in an effort to increase transparency and encourage public discussion on environmental governance in Cyprus.
