EU programme for management and protection of NATURA 2000 sites in north part of Cyprus

A Seminar for everyone concerned by the Karpaz/Akrotirio Apostolos Andreas – Nisoi Kleides Special Environmental Protected Area (SEPA) will be held on 16 February 2009, at 16:00h at the Secondary School in Dipkarpaz/Rizokarpaso.

The purpose of the seminar is to consult the local communities, land owners, local business, relevant stakeholders and other concerned by nature protection at the Karpaz/Akrotirio Apostolos Andreas – Nisoi Kleides SEPA. The draft management plan is to be prepared in the spring of 2009.and will set out conservation measures, and the future of the protected area and its surroundings. The public and all interested parties are invited to participate and take active part in the seminar.

"Technical Assistance for management and protection of potential NATURA 2000 sites in the northern part of Cyprus" is an EU funded project to prepare management plans for protection of special environmental protected areas in the northern part of Cyprus. These sites are likely to be designated as "Natura 2000" sites following a comprehensive settlement and reunification. The project will also provide assistance for building the professional capacity of Turkish Cypriot stakeholders responsible for nature protection.

Project implementation started in May and will last 36 months. According to the Natura 2000 directives, successful management of protected areas requires participation of relevant stakeholders including local communities, scientists and civil society organizations in the planning process and implementation of conservation measures is important.

The project is funded under the €259 million EU Aid Programme for the Turkish Cypriot community, managed by the European Commission.