Environmentally degraded habitats have been upgraded with the conclusion of the three-year Darwin Plus plan, Birdlife Cyprus said this week.
Focussing on Akrotiri and Cape Pyla, the project restored important wildlife habitats within the British bases area to promote wise use of them and develop eco-tourism opportunities to support the local economy.
BirdLife with Terra Cypria, the British Bases Cyprus Environment Department and the RSPB, said they managed to complete conservation works in five areas in Akrotiri and Cape Pyla.
“Akrotiri peninsula and Cape Pyla are recognised and designated for their biodiversity importance,” they said.
Akrotiri peninsula has been identified as an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area, following recognised BirdLife International criteria, and the wetlands on the peninsula enjoy protected status under SBA Ordinances.
Cape Pyla is designated as protected for its habitat value and for key flora and fauna. The Akrotiri wetlands are also characterised as a wetland of international importance.
According to BirdLife, the project outlines how best to manage the reeds at Lake Makria in the Zakaki area.
“We agreed with the local authorities on the management of the ecosystem and on the development of the ecosystem to ensure the sustainable use of the water resources,” the NGO said.
It added that they also developed a marketing strategy for meat from local cattle in the Akrotiri Peninsula, and an action plan for the first year of implementation, to economically support grazing as a sustainable tool for reed management.
They also cleaned drainage channels and protected rare plants with new plantings, artificial pollination, and seed storage.
The organisation added that in Akrotiri they also managed over the three years to reduce the disturbance to species habitats by managing access, preventing illegal activities such as littering, off-road driving, and causing fires.
For Akrotiri’s promotion, they organised successful festivals with more than 500 participants, created a website for visitors, installed information signs, marked new hiking trails, and created video spots promoting Akrotiri’s environmental and cultural importance.
In Pyla, the NGOs said they enriched authorities about acacia management through practical applications.
Acacia is an invasive plant species outside its natural range, due to its high reproductive ability and it can have a wide range of negative effects on native biodiversity and ecosystems. Large-scale clearance of acacia takes place regularly at Cape Pyla, but due to its aggressive root systems and production of large number of viable seeds, it manages to regrow.
“Through the hard work of the team and the collaboration of all stakeholders, we contributed to a more sustainable future for Akrotiri and Cape Pyla,” the NGO said.
