Cyprus expands Natura 2000 network to cover 30 per cent of its territory
Around 30 per cent of Cyprus now falls under the Natura 2000 network, with 72 areas designated for conservation, the agriculture minister told MPs.
Approximately 30 per cent of Cyprus’ territory is now part of the Natura 2000 network, with 72 areas designated as special areas of conservation or protection, Agriculture Minister Christos Senekis told the House environment committee on Wednesday, as reported by Cyprus Mail.
Presenting the ministry’s four main environmental priorities for the coming period, Senekis listed resilient forests and natural disaster prevention, resilient nature, a circular and competitive green economy, and the sustainable management of natural and mineral resources. A budget of €25.5 million has been allocated for the transition to a modern forest protection system.
On fisheries and aquaculture, he said the aim is to support incomes, strengthen competitiveness and maintain vibrant and sustainable coastal communities.
Regarding Akamas, Senekis said the ministry had revised its development plan to reduce its environmental footprint, cutting new infrastructure by around 700 square metres. He also mentioned a comprehensive viability study for a new network of waste management facilities, due to be completed in 2028 and set to shape planning for 2029 to 2035.
On recycling, he said efforts are under way to create smaller green points in mountainous and remote areas, while state support for cleaning up illegal dumps has reached €2.22 million. He added that 142 emissions allowance auctions have generated net revenues of €109.04 million, and that geological suitability maps are being prepared alongside studies for a national critical raw materials strategy.
What it means for residents
The expansion of protected areas and the push for better waste and recycling infrastructure touch daily life across the island, from where building and development are allowed to how rubbish is handled in remote communities.
- Development rules Areas inside the Natura 2000 network face stricter planning controls, which can affect property owners and anyone planning to build or renovate in those zones.
- Waste and recycling New green points in mountainous and remote areas should make it easier to dispose of recyclables without long trips, though the timeline depends on studies still under way.
- Public spending The funds cited for forest protection, dump clean-ups and the green transition come from state and EU-linked revenues, so residents may want to follow how they are spent locally.
info.cy editorial team. This note was prepared with the help of AI.
This text is written from the source article and is not a translation of it.
