Environmental groups raise concerns over new Akrotiri antennas

Environmental organisations Terra Cypria and BirdLife Cyprus have raised concerns over plans to install new antennas in the Akrotiri area, warning that any development must be carefully assessed because of the site’s exceptional ecological importance and the documented impact of existing infrastructure on birds.

The Akrotiri Salt Lake is designated as a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention, as well as a special protection area and special area of conservation under the Natura 2000 network.

The wider area is also one of the most important migration corridors for birds in the eastern Mediterranean.

Terra Cypria and BirdLife said scientific studies conducted in the area over more than two decades had recorded bird deaths and collision risks associated with the existing antenna infrastructure.

They said the findings provided an important scientific basis for assessing the new proposals and demonstrated that the area was already under considerable pressure from existing installations.

The organisations stressed that public discussion of the plans was legitimate but should be conducted transparently.

Both are participating in the consultation process and the assessment of the project’s Appropriate Assessment study, submitting questions and requesting further clarification and additional information.

They said this was necessary to ensure the assessment was “complete, adequate, scientifically substantiated and in accordance with the requirements of national and European environmental legislation”.

Given the area’s “exceptionally high ecological value” and the already documented negative effects associated with existing antennas, the organisations said any further development should be examined particularly carefully and in accordance with the precautionary principle.

They said their aim was ultimately to safeguard what they described as “our common natural heritage”.

Meanwhile earlier an SBA Administration Spokesperson said on the antenna project that the SBA are “committed to ensuring that this project is delivered responsibly and in close cooperation with local partners and communities”.