National parks and protected areas
Throughout the island, there are about fifteen classified natural areas benefiting from special protection measures (hunting ban, limited construction, etc.). Often called "national park", they are in fact closer to the European status of "nature reserve", with more flexible regulations.
Karpas National Park. It is the only protected area in the part under Turkish occupation. Established in 2004 under pressure from local environmentalists, the park covers 9,486 ha, occupying the northeastern tip of the island, at the end of the Karpas peninsula. There is a reserve of wild donkeys and a nesting place for loggerhead sea turtles, but also the Orthodox monastery Apostolos Andreas.
National Park of Troodos. A "national park" in the true sense of the word, it was established in 1992 and extends over 9 147 ha around Mount Olympus. It is the part of the country where biodiversity is the richest with 750 different plant species and the presence of the emblematic animal of the island, the mouflon of Cyprus.
Lara-Toxeftra Marine Reserve. Located on the west coast, between Paphos and the Akamas peninsula, this special area of 600 ha was established in 2013 to protect the nesting grounds of sea turtles.
Akrotiri Marshes Special Protection Area. Placed in British territory, in the sovereignty base ofAkrotiri, it is the largest wetland in the country (210 ha). Recognized by the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, it is an important stopover for migratory birds with its salt lake, marshes, waterlogged soils, freshwater fish and a very rich flora.
Special protection area of the salt lake of Larnaka. With its pink flamingos and its Tekké Hala Sultan, it is one of the most beautiful sites in Cyprus. Located at the edge of the international airport of Larnaka, the second wetland of the country benefits from a protection which extends over 1 700 ha. Classified as Ramsar and Natura 2000, it attracts many migratory birds.
Tripylos Nature Reserve. Located in the forest of Paphos, northwest of Troodos, it covers 3 331 ha and includes the famous Cedar Valley.
Akamas National Forest Park. It is the largest protected area on the island: 23 000 ha. Located at the northwestern tip of Cyprus, the park is famous for its sea turtles, deep gorges, butterflies and 530 plant species, including endemic tulips and orchids.
Cape Greko National Forest Park. It overlooks the cliffs of the region of Agia Napa. On 385 ha there are endemic bushes, junipers and pines where 80 species of birds nest as well as hares and foxes.
Waste management: a major challenge
Let's say it clearly, the waste management on the island is still largely perfectible. The traveler will undoubtedly be surprised at the sight of waste lying along the roads, but also on certain beaches. Bulky waste often ends up in wild dumps in natural environments such as forests. In 2016, according to the European Statistical Office, Cyprus recycled 10.4% of its waste compared to a European average of 37.8%. The country's entry into the European Union has helped initiate waste prevention programs. Actions have been carried out, aimed at the inhabitants, including awareness-raising in schools. These initiatives have been accompanied by the implementation of waste collection systems. In the tourism sector, the Cyprus Sustainable Tourism Initiative has enabled the deployment of sorting actions at the source and limiting the use of plastic bottles for example. The seaside resort of Agia Napia launched a policy in 2018 to collect organic waste from hotels. On the beaches, recycling bins allow everyone to sort waste. The aim is to gradually instill a sorting culture to improve the situation, make people understand the environmental issues and reassure tourists.
Water resource management: an important issue
One of the crucial problems of the island is water supply, which is more delicate during droughts and with the increase in population due to tourism. Cyprus has few water tables, and these have suffered from poor management, sometimes leading to their depletion. As water from dams has sometimes proved insufficient, farmers have dug wells to draw water directly for their needs. There are nearly 50,000 illegal wells on the island. Alternatively, water desalination plants have been built in the south to alleviate water shortages, especially during periods of drought. This solution has been controversial, given the impact of the process on biodiversity and carbon emissions. In the North, a submarine aqueduct, inaugurated in 2015, allows water to be transported from Turkey, from the Alaköprü dam to the Geçitköy dam. Known as "the water of peace", the precious resource is transported over a distance of 107 km.
An energy to be decarbonized
While the countries of the European Union reduced their greenhouse gas emissions by an average of 23.5% between 1990 and 2007, Cyprus has... a 57.8% growth in its own emissions. This observation is linked to the country's energy choices, and to an economic growth largely based on a carbon-based energy: oil. Indeed, the island's oil-fired thermal power plants provide most of the primary energy consumed. This also has impacts on air quality. More encouraging, however, is the share of renewable energies in electricity production. The country's wind farms cover nearly 20% of the island's electricity demand. Efforts still need to be made to initiate a genuine energy transition. In view of this situation, visitors will be encouraged to use any source of energy sparingly (air conditioning, etc.) and to prefer active mobility or public transport to any private motorised vehicle. Just like at home!
