BirdLife Cyprus has called on the new House of Representatives to make nature protection a political priority following the announcement of the parliamentary election results.
In a statement, the organisation said Cyprus faces serious failures in the protection of biodiversity, citing the Akamas and Akrotiri areas, illegal bird trapping and ongoing EU infringement cases concerning breaches of nature legislation.
On Akamas, BirdLife Cyprus said that almost two and a half years after works began in the National Forest Park, the area remains an “open construction site”, with violations going unpunished and state commitments still unfulfilled.
The organisation also referred to the Akrotiri Peninsula, describing it as one of the most important wetlands in the Eastern Mediterranean. It said there had been incidents of degradation at the salt lake, signs of pollution and disruption to the area’s natural hydrological regime.
On illegal bird trapping, BirdLife Cyprus said that, according to its monitoring programme, around 726,000 birds were illegally trapped and killed in autumn 2025. It said strict enforcement of the law and action against organised networks are needed.
BirdLife Cyprus also referred to three serious EU cases involving breaches of nature legislation.
It said the European Commission has already referred Cyprus to the Court of Justice of the European Union over its failure to take the necessary conservation and protection measures for Natura 2000 sites. According to the organisation, adequate conservation measures have not been adopted for 28 Special Areas of Conservation.
Cyprus is also facing infringement proceedings over the inadequate designation of Natura 2000 network areas, with important habitats and species still lacking sufficient protection, BirdLife Cyprus said.
The third open case, it added, concerns the systematic poor application of Article 6(3) of the Habitats Directive. The organisation said the EU had identified a “systematic and persistent practice” of approving projects near or within Natura 2000 areas without the required procedure. It cited as an example the Pentakomo case and a harbour project intended to serve the aquaculture sector in an area used by the Mediterranean monk seal.
BirdLife Cyprus said these cases show that the problems are not isolated, but reflect systemic weaknesses in the enforcement of environmental legislation and the management of Natura 2000 areas.
The organisation called on the new parliament to ensure Cyprus fully complies with its obligations regarding Natura 2000 areas, strengthen transparency and accountability in environmental licensing, prevent any further weakening of environmental legislation and support effective action against illegal bird trapping.
It said the new House will also be judged by whether it protects Cyprus’ natural heritage and ensures that environmental laws are applied in practice, not only on paper.
Source: CNA
