We continue informing the public for the 10-year project
Since the relaxation of the COVID-19 restrictive measures, we initiated the first cycle of presentations to various stakeholders, aiming to inform them of the project LIFE IP Physis – PANDOTEIRA .
PANDOTEIRA started in July 2019 and has a duration of 10 years. It is led by the Environment Department and has 15 partners coming from Government Departments, Academic Institutions, Environmental Consultancy Offices and Non-Governmental Environmental Organisations.
The main target of the project is the improvement of the conservation status of species and habitats of community interest through actions within the Natura 2000 areas of the island.
Amongst other actions, Terra Cypria is leading the information and sensitisation campaign of the project with various stakeholders and organised groups.
The presentations aim to inform about the work of the project and the European Natura 2000 network and its values. They target various stakeholders and organised groups such as Local Communities, Educational Institutions, the Media and Public Officers, whose actions interact with important species and Natura 2000 sites, but are not directly involved in their management.
As of now, we have conducted 10 presentations and our goal is to complete 72 presentations by November 2022.
Within October we conducted 4 presentations. On 19th October two presentations took place in Paphos. The first one referred to the Paphos Educational Institutions and Media. The second took place in Episkopi and targeted the local communities that fall within the boundaries of the Natura 2000 areas Episkopi Morou Nerou , Koili – Mavrokolympos, Koilada Ezousas and Kremmoi Ezousas. On 25th October, a presentation was held at Agros village, aimed at the Local Communities that fall within the boundaries of the Natura 2000 areas Madari – Papoutsa, Vounokorfes Madaris – Papoutsas, Fountoukodasi Pitsilias and Periochi Koiladas Xylourikou. On 26th October the last presentation for this month was held at the Department of Fisheries and Marine Research and the targeted audience was Public Officers active in the marine environment but not directly involved in the management of marine protected areas.
All our presentations are conducted in a very constructive atmosphere. We inform the stakeholders of the Natura 2000 network as well as members of our project. We exchange views and brainstorm about future actions and most importantly we hear the local communities’ views and gain a better understanding of their concerns and problems. This action will continue during the following months throughout the island.