Environmental awareness events held for Akamas peninsula

The Office of the Commissioner for the Environment and Animal Welfare organized a commemorative event for the Akamas Peninsula at the Athalassa National Forest Park on May 16 and 17. The event included a photography exhibition titled 'This is Akamas,' showcasing landscapes and underwater scenes alongside the work of the volunteer group 'Sea Cleaners' conducted between 1995 and 2008. The Commissioner’s office highlighted that Akamas, covering 18,082 hectares, is a vital part of the Natura 2000 network. It hosts approximately 650 of Cyprus's 1,650 indigenous plant species, including 46 endemic and 28 endangered species. Protected wildlife in the area includes Caretta caretta and Chelonia mydas sea turtles and the Mediterranean monk seal, Monachus monachus. These activities were timed to coincide with the European Natura 2000 Day on May 21 and World Biodiversity Day on May 22. The office underscored the region's importance for maintaining ecosystem balance and societal resilience against climate change. The event emphasized the ongoing challenges regarding the balance between human activity and environmental preservation in the region.