The Cyprus Department of Environment has issued a negative opinion on the proposed development of a large resort complex in the Akamas Peninsula area. The development included plans for 69 luxury villas, an administrative building and a biological wastewater treatment plant, and was to be built on a site covering more than 100,000 m². However, experts concluded that the project would cause serious and irreversible damage to the region's ecosystem, including to areas protected under the Natura 2000 network.
The Akamas Peninsula is one of Cyprus's most valuable natural resources and is included in the European biodiversity conservation programme. The area is home to rare species of flora and fauna, including green and loggerhead sea turtles, which are listed in the Red Book.
The project was deemed a threat to nature
According to the report, construction would lead to the loss of natural habitats, vegetation clearance, disruption to soil cover and increased noise and light pollution. All of these factors could affect the nesting and migration of protected animal species.
Furthermore, environmentalists have noted that the clearing of shrubs and trees in the proposed construction area began between August 2021 and May 2022, even before the official application was submitted. This raised questions about the developer's compliance with procedural requirements and the legality of their actions.
Of particular concern is the cumulative effect — the combined impact of all existing and planned tourist facilities in the Akamas region. According to experts, further urbanisation could gradually destroy the region's unique natural balance.
The experts' decision and the authorities' position
A commission comprising representatives of the Department of the Environment, the Forestry Department, the Wildlife Service, BirdLife Cyprus, Terra Cypria and the Cyprus Federation of Environmental Organisations unanimously concluded that implementing the project would cause significant damage to protected areas.
According to European Directive 92/43/EEC, such areas require special protection and any construction work must undergo rigorous assessment of its potential ecological impact. The Cyprus Ministry of Agriculture and Environment has stated that it will adhere to this conclusion and will not permit any work that could disrupt the peninsula's natural balance.
What's next for Akamas?
The situation with the Akamas project has once again raised the question of the limits of acceptable tourism and development in Cyprus. The government is working on an updated sustainable development plan for the region which will preserve natural landscapes and encourage ecotourism.
Stricter rules are expected to be introduced by 2026 to protect Natura 2000 areas, including continuous monitoring, construction restrictions and measures to restore damaged ecosystems.
The Akamas Peninsula remains a symbol of Cyprus's wild, unspoilt nature, and its preservation is becoming a priority for the state as a whole, not just environmentalists.