Conservation in Cyprus
Cyprus is not that unusual in its attitude to conservation in general in that its natural habitats are being developed and destroyed in order to feed the pocketbooks of business, both big and small. *(To those of you who have visited before, We have to keep changing the text as too many people seem to copy whatever we write, to put on their travel to Cyprus related websites, so please bear with us)Not too long ago you did not hear the birds singing, because they were being decimated by lime sticks and shot by hunters. ( yes even the mighty sparrow had its day in the arena.) These were served up in restaurants and private homes as amberopoulia - yes, mixed bird. We are now in the situation where it has been made illegal, however that doesn't seem to make much difference. I was in a new take away in Larnaca recently, (October 2007) good food, run by an ex policeman. I was with a foreign aquaintance and was explaining what amberopoulia was and how it is now illegal, when the proprietor piped up with 'You have to put in the order a few days in advance, but we make quite a lot." I was gob smacked ! My moral high ground robbed me of yet another good eating house, drat.
Nowadays the same thing is happening, but birds are being bred for the hunting season and the swarthy hunters, in full battle dress stalk them intrepidly. The 'Game reserve' signs and 'No hunting zone' notices are used for target practice, and if you collect spent cartridges, just find a No hunting sign and there will be hundreds of them. I know quite a few people who live in the countryside who would love to see the law enforced, but they are too scared to speak up as they know that their pets will be poisoned and their lives will be made a misery, so they just keep quiet.
No, this is not a soldier, this a typically dressed hunter..It is illegal to put down poison now, and so the headman of the village does it on everyone's behalf, after all , who's going to argue with the mayor ?
Unfortunately, those Europeans who live out in the countryside are too often afraid to report environmental abuse because they fear retribution from the perpetrators and their neighbouring villagers. After all, if it is common knowledge that those who 'break the law' are the people who actually control the local village ' government', who do you complain to? Do you love your pets ? Do you want them poisoned in the night??
Not too long ago dogs and cats were used as target practice, especially by peoples cars, but now many Cypriot people are beginning to cherish them as pets. Protection societies are getting support for donkeys, . Organisations are going into schools and teaching the kids that animals should be cared for and this is paying off. I have also noticed that many more parents are making an effort not to pass on their fear of dogs, they were taught this by their parents, as in days gone by a dreadful disease called hydadid cyst was prevalent in Cyprus and carried by dogs, one lick and the tiny parasitic creatures which lived in the dogs saliva would be passed to the human. Nasty, slow and lethal. Not surprising that if you saw a dog you crossed the road and/or threw stones at it.
The Akamas is currently a nature reserve and one hopes will remain so, but the debate is raging between conservationists and big business, who wish to develop the area for tourism. So far only one main development has been allowed and allegedly the main shareholder is the person who's responsibility it was to refuse permission.
Blatant or what!The turtles of the Akamas are being exploited by some as a tourist attraction , which could be the end of them, we would ask you please, please if anyone offers to take you to see them, don't go. Look at these pictures instead, and think of how you have helped these vulnerable creatures to survive. The government is doing a good job with the turtles and we hope they will continue to support their protection.
The unpleasant practice of liming still goes on, even though it is illegal since 1974 - they mix the mixture, and go out at night to place sharp sticky spears in trees to impale unsuspecting birds ! All birds are caught this way, owls, hawks, tiny ambelopoulia, (migratory songbirds) a delicacy here which is an important social statement and fetches a high price for a free lunch..
in 2000/2001 was 326
Proactt published figures for 2000/2001
A/A
Year
District
Total poaching
cases
Cases involving illegal trapping, netting, liming or use of illegal devices
1
2000
Lefkosia (Nicosia)
52
16
2
Lemessos (Limassol)
50
7
3
Larnaca
62
25
4
Ammochostos (Famagusta)
18
15
5
Paphos
59
13
Total
241
76
1
2001
Lefkosia (Nicosia)
52
9
2
Lemessos (Limassol)
57
10
3
Larnaca
97
53
4
Ammochostos (Famagusta)
50
46
5
Paphos
70
14
Total
326
132
Proact is 'a non-political, independent and voluntary organisation committed to coordinating and monitoring support for selected environmental campaigns in Europe and its periphery; and ultimately, through our national and regional coordinators, worldwide. Our prime, but not exclusive concern, is the conservation of birds and their habitats.
We are in favour of trees, those wonderful friends who produce the oxygen we all breath, the lungs of the planet, some simile currently with a planet that smokes......
If you can help out with the re-planting of our friends the trees please e-mail
people AT windowoncyprus.comIf you are in favour of saving the rain forests and have anything to put towards this lofty scheme, we decided that the way to save it is to buy it - please see our latest hair brained scheme here.
Eco friendly tours are organised by excursion alternatives and you can visit the Mouflon, and many of the other natural wonders on the island. These treks are highly informative and interesting as well as being environmentally friendly. Click below to learn more and see a description of some of the available tours::
or here or
More pics would be very welcome , as would comments or info.
Please see more here as this page was getting too big.
